COMPUTING

Intent, Implementation and Impact

Intent

It is recognised that the world is constantly evolving in terms of ICT, Artificial intelligence (AI) and Computing. Technology is an integral part of our everyday life. With technology playing such a significant role in society today, we at St Stephens C of E School recognise that ICT is the future, and believe that ‘Computational thinking’ is a skill that children must be taught if they are to be able to engage and participate effectively and safely in this digital world. With this at the forefront, we strive to prepare our pupils as effectively and efficiently as possible.

St Stephens C of E School is highly committed to ensuring that all children have full access to a high-quality computing education. We equip a number of resources to support our children in their learning across the whole curriculum as well as in their discrete computing lessons. Our main priority of computing at St Stephens C of E School is to imbue children with confidence learnt from the skills derived from the National Curriculum that can enable them to use these learned skills safely in not only in the learning environment, but in their everyday lives.

We also encourage a love of computing and through various extracurricular means such as after school clubs and discussions. The benefits and applications of ICT are numerous, but we are also aware of the risks of ICT including the development of AI. This is why we prepare our children to stay safe online through the use of e-safety awareness activities, lessons, assemblies, E-safety sessions, circle times and Internet safety days. 

Implementation

At St Stephen’s Primary School, we implement Computing by:

• - Having a clear and effective scheme of work that provides coverage in line with the National Curriculum, DFE and progression of skills. We use the National Computing Curriculum for Education (NCCE) Computing Scheme of work to guide and provide structure for the teaching and pupils learning.
• - Discussing online safety topics and informing children of how to be safe when using technology.
• Keeping parents informed when issues relating to online safety arise and further information/support is provided if required.
• - Delivering skill based lessons to focus on developing typing skills mouse skills, coding skills and overall computing skills and knowledge by using laptops, programs and interactive tools in the classroom to aid learning.
• - Having weekly lessons.
• - Through the use of extracurricular online computer activities, clubs and programmes to support learning and further enrich the pupils learning and expose them further to the world of computing and ICT.

Impact

• At St Stephens by following our scheme of work, children will be able to develop a wide range of fundamental ICT skills, knowledge and understanding that will equip them for the rest of their life, both at home and in school.
• Children will have a secure knowledge of the implications of technology and digital systems. This is important in a world where digital technologies are constantly evolving. They will be confident to use them for their own benefit, but more importantly – safely.
• Children will understand the consequences of using the internet and be aware of how to keep themselves safe online.
• Children will have a love and passion for computing and enjoy their lessons and hopefully develop that interest which will enable them to potentially pursue a career in computing.