St Anne's Catholic Primary School

Computing

At St Anne's Catholic Primary School, we aim to develop children's sense of place in our world. It is our intent that we develop technology literate children, using a range of devices and applications to enhance, motivate and support their learning in innovative ways. At Saint Anne’s children will be responsible digital citizens who appreciate the benefits of using technology to create their own content. They will develop a range of strategies to keep themselves safe from the potential dangers online to effectively connect with the world.

We want all children to develop

• Competence in coding for a variety of practical and inventive purposes, including the application of ideas within other subjects.
• The ability to connect with others safely and respectfully, understanding the need to act within the law and with moral and ethical integrity.
• An understanding of the connected nature of devices.
• The ability to communicate ideas well by using applications and devices throughout the curriculum.
• The ability to collect, organise and manipulate data effectively

Rationale for Curriculum Design at St Anne’s

We teach computing as part of a topic and discreetly. This is in recognition, of the interconnectedness of our school community and diversity of the people and places they live. We understand the value of computing in helping pupils to understand their world, their role in it and the responsibilities that come with it. A deep understanding of our world will help shape the actions of care, compassion, and creativity that is needed to solve some of our technological, human and environment problems facing our city, country and world.

The National Curriculum states:

A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programmes, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.

What is Computing?

Computing is the study of computers that include information technology (how IT is used), digital literacy (how IT is used safely and effectively) and computer science (how computers work). 

The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.

Computing is the process of using computer technology to complete a given goal-oriented task. Computing may encompass the design and development of software and hardware systems for a broad range of purposes - often structuring, processing and managing any kind of information - to aid in the pursuit of scientific studies, making intelligent systems, and creating and using different media for entertainment and communication. 

The Primary Computing Program of Study is Divided into Three Areas:

Computer Science (CS), Information Technology (IT) and Digital Literacy (DL)

Why do we study Computing?

Computing and computer technology are part of just about everything in our lives, including the transport we use, the movies we watch and the ways schools, hospitals and businesses operate. Most people use computer technology in their daily lives, whether that be for internet shopping, gaming or social media.

Our society and the wider world is increasingly reliant on people understanding computers. We know that jobs, which don’t yet exist, will require increasingly sophisticated technology which we want our pupils to be confident to manipulate.

By studying computing, pupils will build their knowledge and understanding of technical skills, such as programming and learn to use a range of applications, which they will use in everyday life. Computing contributes significantly to developing pupils’ creativity, problem solving and perseverance.

SMSC in Computing

Spiritual Development in Computing

Computing provides opportunities for reflection of awe and wonder about the achievements in computing today and the possibilities for the future. Computing lets pupils have the opportunity to reflect on how computers can sometimes perform better in certain activities than people. They will also explore how ideas in computing have inspired them and others and by providing opportunities for our pupils to explore their creativity and imagination when developing digital products. Spiritual development also takes place through allowing children opportunities to present their work to others which helps promote their self esteem.

Moral Development in Computing

Pupils consider issues surrounding the misuse and access rights to personal data. Computing encourages students to draw conclusions through evidence rather than their preconceptions whilst allowing the students the time to reflect on the origins of their own personal perceptions of a topic. Pupils consider the effects of social networking and the consequences of cyber bullying; they also consider the legal aspects of computing including the Data Protection Act, Computer Misuse Act and Copyright legislation. They consider the implications of file sharing and downloading illegally and the consequences for engaging in this type of activity. Students also consider the moral aspects of developments in technology including the use of CCTV cameras, Speed Cameras and Loyalty Cards to balance up people’s rights and responsibilities.

Computing helps pupils to explore aspects of real and imaginary situations and enables them to reflect on the possible consequences of different actions and situations. It can raise issues such as whether it is morally right to have computer games whose aim is killing and violence, and whether it is fair that some people in this country and in other countries cannot use the internet. Other moral issues surrounding the topics of e-waste and the digital divide are also explored. 

Social Development in Computing 

As part of the computing curriculum pupils are taught to think and produce work that reflects the needs of diverse audiences within our community and the wider community. As pupils develop their skills in a range of software they are challenged to work in groups to find solutions whilst developing respect for the ideas and opinions of others in their team. This is particularly prevalent in the design phase of tasks given. In addition pupils are encouraged to develop their team working skills through collaborative work and research. The students also explore the concept of teams and the roles that individuals have to play. Computing can also help pupils to express themselves clearly and to communicate. 

Cultural Development in Computing

Computational thinking encourages pupils to develop and explore their problem solving skills. Computing Empowers students to apply their ICT and computing skills and to gain knowledge of how programming links between subjects for instance maths. Students explore how developments in technology have changed our culture, particularly the rise in social networking sites and the ability to communicate instantly across National and International borders. Computing involves the breaking through of linguistic and cultural barriers. It is possible to e-mail or chat across the world and to word process in the mother tongue. Whilst studying various aspects of computing students are asked to reflect on how different cultures are portrayed on the internet and why or who is portraying them in this way. Students are also challenged to think about how differing cultures access and use the internet and what implications this has on the individual and the culture.