“Technology will never replace great teachers, but technology in the hands of a great teacher can be transformational.” – George Couros

Technology is everywhere and will play a pivotal part in our learners’ lives.  Therefore, at St.Mary’s we want to model and educate our pupils on how to use technology positively, responsibly and safely.  We want them to have no limits to what their ambitions are and grow up wanting to be digital creators, data analyst, game creator and web developer.

Computing at St Mary’s we want to equip pupils to use computational thinking and creativity that will enable them to become active participants in the digital world. It is important to us that the children understand how to use the ever-changing technology to express themselves, as tools for learning and as a means to drive their generation forward into the future. We want children to develop as respectful, responsible and confident users of technology, aware of measures that can be taken to keep themselves and others safe online.

Our aim is to provide a computing curriculum that is designed to balance acquiring a broad and deep knowledge alongside opportunities to apply skills in various digital contexts. Beyond teaching computing discreetly, we give pupils the opportunity to apply and develop what they have learnt across wider learning in the curriculum.

Our aim is to provide a computing curriculum that is designed to balance acquiring a broad and deep knowledge alongside opportunities to apply skills in various digital contexts. Beyond teaching computing discreetly, we will give pupils the opportunity to apply and develop what they have learnt across wider learning in the curriculum.

Computing  at our school is  a cohesive, sequential  curriculum that addresses the statutory aspects of the National Curriculum. Computing is branched into three aspects: Computer Science; Information Technology; and Digital Literacy, so that our pupils are set a relevant, challenging continuum of age-related skills and knowledge for their own year groups.

The curriculum aims to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to thrive in the digital world of today and the future.  We want to ensure that all pupils:

• can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation (Computer science)
• can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems (Computer science)
• can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems (Information technology)
• are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology. (Digital literacy)

Enrichment

At St Mary’s computing is an integral part of all learning

• Each child in KS2 has access to their own chrome book which they can use not simply for computing lessons but in all subjects.
• In KS1, we have allocated an iPad for each pupil during the lesson. In this way, children are exposed to a range of digital platforms during their time at school
• Computing clubs are run after school such as coding.