Computing

As a school, we recognise the need to be digitally literate in our modern world.  We know our children need to be taught how to use, express themselves and develop their ideas through technology at a suitable level for their age. We also recognise how computing can support all areas of the curriculum and children are exposed to technology throughout the day, whether it be using an Interactive Whiteboard, playing a maths game on an ipad or taking a photograph.   This gives children the opportunity to practise and hone their skills in the context of other subjects.

We also recognise the importance of children being safe users of technology and, as part of our computing program, teach core principles to apply in and out of school.  We have a special E Safety Day and elements of E Safety are taught each term.

In EYFS we follow the EYFS curriculum/Development Matters and in Key Stage One, we follow the National Curriculum.

The national curriculum splits computing into the three main areas.

Computer Science: Children can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science including data representation and algorithms.

Children can also analyse problems in computational terms and have experience of writing computer programs in order ot solve such problems.

Information Technology:  Children can evaluate and apply information technology including new or unfamiliar technologies analytically to solve problems.

Digital literacy:  Children are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.

We cover these aspects through the core areas of

Computing systems and networks: identifying hardware and using software while exploring how computers communicate and connect to one another.

Programming:  Understanding that a computer operates on algorithms and learning how to write, adapt and debug code to instruct a computer to perform set tasks.

Creating media: Learning how to use various devices and tools to record, capture and edit content such as videos, music, pictures and photographs.

Data handing: Ensuring the information is collected, recorded, stored, presented and analysed in a manner that is useful and can help to solve problems.

Online safety: Understanding the benefits and risks of being online and how to remain safe, keep personal information secure and recognising when and where to seek help in difficult situations.

At Ewhurst, E Safety is taught throughout the school.  As computing is not part of the EYFS curriculum, children begin using technology in Year One.  In Key Stage One, children follow the Kapow scheme, where seven topics are studied each year.

Click here to see our Computing curriculum tree and progression of skills and knowledge.