Computing

Mr O'Leary is our school Computing Leader

At Coppice Valley our Computing curriculum provides essential skills for life which enable learners to participate more readily in a rapidly changing world.

Our curriculum retains the National Curriculum at its core. Wherever possible, we make real-world and cross-curricular connections i.e. photography & film making in topics.

Every child is able to access learning through quality first teaching and scaffolding lessons to meet pupils needs. Computing offers all pupils the opportunity to experience SMSC learning and FBV. Research expands pupils’ knowledge of the world and its different cultures. E-safety and learning about online privacy generate ethical and moral discussions. As pupils progress, their vocabularies expand with technical words and phrases to give them the skills to express themselves.

Computing Vision

To deliver a curriculum which:

• imparts children with the knowledge of risks online and how to remain safe enabling pupils to believe they can use technology in a safe and responsible way independently.
• develops children’s confidence and competence of engaging with a variety of technology to encourage them to belong to a world shaped by technology allowing them to gain skills that will equip them for life.
• seeks to engage and enrich children’s experiences in school through digital literacy, ICT and computer science allowing them to become confident digital learners who use computational thinking in an ever changing digital world.

Values Led-Learning

Curriculum at each phase: Computing

In KS1 children will learn the following knowledge and skills:

• Give simple instructions to everyday devices to make things happen.
• Understand what algorithms are, how they are implemented as programs on digital devices, and that programs execute by following a sequence of instructions.
• Write and test simple programs.
• Make choices to control simple models or simulations.
• Use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs.
• Complete simple tasks on a computer by following instructions.
• Show an awareness of information in different formats.
• Organise, store, manipulate and retrieve data in a range of digital formats.
• Discuss and share how and when they use ICT in everyday life.
• Recognise common uses of ICT beyond school.
• Understand rules around e-safety and know who to tell if something concerns them online.

In KS2 we look to establish a solid understanding of designing, writing and debugging programs that accomplish specific goals. We introduce variables and explore various forms of input and output. We provide a safe environment for children to select, use and combine a variety of software on a range of digital devices to accomplish given goals. Children will learn to:

• Use logical reasoning to explain how a simple algorithm works.
• Detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs (debug)
• With support, begin to produce algorithms by using logical and appropriate structures to organise data, and create precise and accurate sequences of instructions.
• Produce algorithms independently using logical and appropriate structures to organise and record data.
• Use sequence, selection and repetition in programs.
• Design and write programs that accomplish specific goals, working with variables for input and output.
• Use flowcharts and other diagrams to follow how the process or model works.
• Test programs using models and simulations.
• Use logical reason to solve problems and model situations and processes.
• Predict what will happen when variables and rules within a model are changed.
• Discuss opportunities for online communication and collaboration.
• Explain how email and online discussion areas are used for communication and collaboration.
• Create flowcharts and other diagrams to explain how a process or model works.
• Use software or search engines effectively.
• Check the plausibility and usefulness of information that they find.
• Understand the need for accuracy when searching for and selecting information.
• Create account of accuracy and potential bias when searching for and selecting information.
• Identify and select appropriate information using straightforward lines of enquiry.
• Use and combine a variety of software and internet services on a range of digital devices to accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information.
• Prepare and present information in a range of forms, using ICT safely and responsibly.
• Select, use and combine a variety of software, including internet services on a range of digital devices.
• Design and create/use a range or programs to accomplish given goals.
• Find and cite the web address for any information or resource found online.