Intent

Following the national curriculum for Computing, our intent is that all our children will:

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Head

  • Learn a wide range of fundamental skills, knowledge and understanding about computers and technology.
  • Learn and have opportunities to discuss the benefits of ICT but are also aware of the risks.
  • Be taught the principles of information and computation and how digital systems work
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Heart

  • Foster curiosity and thirst to find out about new technology and programs.
  • Foster a love of learning new knowledge and skills which builds on their previous learning.
  • To have a clear understanding of how to stay safe whilst being part of a digital world and have the courage and confidence to know what to do if they feel uncomfortable about something online.
  • To be a digital citizen by showing our virtues of respect, patience, kindness and forgiveness.
  • To show perseverance when they identify a problem and begin ‘debugging’.
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Hand

  • To be able to participate effectively and safely in a digital world inside and outside of school.
  • Have opportunities to be confident, creative and independent learners whilst developing their computing skills.
  • Have opportunities to put their knowledge to use through programming.
  • Will be well equipped with the knowledge to prepare them for now and a future in an environment which is shaped by technology.
  • Understand that computing is essential to everyday life in relations to next steps of learning or future jobs.

Implementation:

  • A clear and comprehensive scheme of work in line with the National Curriculum where teaching and learning should show progression across all key stages within four strands of computing. These are Essential Skills, Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy.
  • Children will have the core basic skills to use multiple devices, this is designed to promote independence through the essential skills strand.
  • Children develop their knowledge and skills relating to computational thinking, coding, algorithms and networks through their computer science strand.
  • Children develop their knowledge and skills relating to digital communication, creating multimedia content and data representation/handling through the information technology strand.
  • Children are provided with the knowledge and skills relating to online safety and technology in society through the digital literacy strand.
  • Children have access to key language and meanings in order to understand and use in their day to day working in the classroom and at home.
  • Annual events such as National Coding week, Safer Internet day, Anti-bullying week and technology themed competitions are provided to allow children to participate in.
  • Children will reflect on previous learning and cross curricular links will be made wherever possible.

Impact:

The impact of our computing curriculum is that each child learns more, knows more and remembers more so that they reach their full potential in this curriculum area.

  • Most children will achieve age related expectations in Computing at the end of their cohort year.
  • Children will be enthusiastic and confident in their approach towards computing.
  • Children will be able to understand and apply the principles and concepts of computer science in their learning.
  • Children will have a secure and comprehensive knowledge of the implications of technology and digital systems. This is important in a society where technologies and trends are rapidly evolving.
  • Children will be able to apply our virtues when using digital systems.
  • Transition to secondary school with a keen interest in the continued learning of this subject.

Scroll down to see what we have been up to.

At English Martyrs we follow the primary national curriculum for computing supported by the Knowsley Scheme of work.

Children will have the opportunity to develop their understanding and use of the foundational skills, knowledge and understanding of computing they will need for the rest of their lives. Through their computing education, they will learn how computers and computer systems work; they will design and build programs, develop their ideas using technology and create a range of content as well as how to operate in a digital world both safely and respectfully.

The Computing Curriculum is built upon the following principles:

· Equipping pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world.

· 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. Buildings 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 Curriculum Jargon busting-

Program- A sequence of instructions

Algorithm- A sequence of instructions to perform a defined task

De-bug-To adjust an algorithm or program when it isn’t functioning correctly

Logical Reasoning-To think through the actions of an algorithm (used to predict an outcome)

Selection- When commands are activated based on a condition occurring

Repetition- When sections of algorithms are repeated a fixed number of times or infinitely

Variable- A value in a game which can change (such as a score)

E-Safety at English Martyrs CVA

At English Martyrs CVA we believe that learning about e-safety is a vital life skill. Empowering children at an early age with the knowledge to safeguard themselves and their personal information is something that needs to be nurtured throughout school to see them into adult life. We have embedded e-safety into our curriculum and children feel confident using technologies safely both in and outside of school.

Although E-Safety education is an integral part of our computing curriculum and our daily practice, we also celebrate Safer Internet Day annually. On this enrichment day, all classes work to further develop their understanding of key risks and safe practices.

Watch out for tips on E safety for parents during the academic year.

Digital leaders

English Martyrs has its own Digital leaders that are our resident experts and offer pupil, parent and teacher support .

Their role includes:

· Working with the IT leader to develop E-Safety education and learning environments keeping up to date with current changes and risks.

· Deliver E-Safety training sessions for each class through workshops and whole school assemblies.

· Organise and deliver lunchtime activities to develop computing skills with younger children.

· Getting out and putting away correctly digital equipment.

· Supporting where appropriate in classrooms with curriculum teaching. To find out more about E-Safety practice and Technology Safety, view our E Safety Policy.

National Coding Week- 17.09.21

This week has been National Coding Week! The digital leaders and sports leaders put together some circuits for the whole school and children had to code (give instructions) for their peers to complete the circuit successfully.

Great fun was had by all!

National Coding Week- week beginning 13.9.21

During National Coding Week, each year group took part in a coding activity.

In EYFS, the children followed instructions by creating animal movements.

In year 1 and 2, the children explored with Bee-Bots and created algorithms.

In year 3, 4, 5 and 6, the children all practised their coding skills on different games. This included dance party, creating a flappy bird game and a space adventure.

Year 4 and 5 were visited by Nick Parker, a tech advisor for Sainsbury’s supermarket. He explained to the children how tech was used in logistics, app design forecasting our shopping habits. They had a preview of the Sainsbury’s app and how it worked and found out about Hackathons. The children were inspired to become app and web designers, especially when they found out how much they could earn! Many thanks to Nick and the tech team at Sainsburys.