Our computing curriculum aims to provide a high-quality computing education, which equips the children to use computational thinking to understand and change the world. The curriculum will teach children key knowledge about how computers and the computer systems work, and how they are designed and programmed. Learners will develop the skills necessary to use technologies safely and creatively. Over time, the children will become increasingly more independent using technologies, be able to work collaboratively when solving complex problems and develop resilience when finding solutions by learning from mistakes.

By the time they leave St Joseph’s, children will have gained key knowledge and skills in the three main areas of the computing curriculum: computer science (programming and understanding how digital systems work), information technology (using computer systems to store, retrieve and send information) and digital literacy (evaluating digital content and using technology safely and respectfully). The objectives within each strand support the development of learning across the key stages, ensuring a solid grounding for future learning and beyond. Children will embrace and enjoy technology, understand its importance in their everyday lives and recognise that there are exciting career opportunities to be had in computing technologies.

We seek to ensure consistency in the teaching of computing and the experiences of the children across all year groups. Computing is taught using a blocked curriculum approach. This ensures children are able to develop depth in their knowledge and skills over the duration of each of their computing topics. In order to achieve the aims of the national curriculum, teachers use the ‘Switched On: Computing’ scheme, published by Rising Stars, as a starting point for the planning of their computing lessons, which are often richly linked to engaging contexts in other subjects and topics. Computing is taught in discreet weekly computing lessons and all year groups have access to a suite of computers.

The implementation of the curriculum also ensures a balanced coverage of computer science, information technology and digital literacy. The children will have experiences of all three strands in each year group, but the subject knowledge imparted becomes increasingly specific and in depth, with more complex skills being taught, thus ensuring that learning is built upon. For example, children in Key Stage 1 learn what algorithms are, which leads them to the design stage of programming in Key Stage 2, where they design, write and debug programs, explaining the thinking behind their algorithms.

Interwoven to all aspects of computing is E-safety. Children are taught how to keep safe in this ever-changing digital world and the steps to take if problems arise. They will use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable /unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact and take part in Safer Internet day.

The importance of online safety is shown through displays within the learning environment.

Our Computing curriculum and opportunities aim to improve outcomes for children in this area of study and also enhance their work and progress across all subjects where technology is used.

Children will be confident users of technology, able to use it to accomplish a wide variety of goals, both at home and in school, and able to join the rest of the world on its digital platform.  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.

They will be equipped, not only with the skills and knowledge to use technology effectively and for their own benefit, but more importantly – safely. The biggest impact we want on our children is that they understand the consequences of using the internet and that they are also aware of how to keep themselves safe online.