Intent

Intent - Knowledge

What do we want pupils to know in Computing by the time they leave?

At Bowdon Church School we ensure all areas of the National Curriculum are covered. By the time they leave school we want the children to confidently:

understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation
analyse problems in computational terms and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems
evaluate and apply information technology analytically to solve problems, including new and unfamiliar technologies
To be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology

Intent - Skills

What do we want pupils to be able to do in Computing by the time they leave?

Our Computing curriculum aims for all children to have the opportunities to be able to:

design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals
use sequence, selection and repetition in programs
use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs
understand how computer networks, including the internet, work for communication and collaboration
use search technologies effectively
select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content
use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly

Intent - Values

What values have guided our decision about the curriculum?

Our School Values

To understand Christian values
To be confident and happy
To be an independent learner
To be resilient

Subject Specific Values

Through teaching computing we focus on:

using technology effectively, safely, respectfully and responsibly
being computer literate with a wide range of IT skills, equipping the children for their future learning and career
developing computational thinking skills to encourage independent learning and the challenge of self-improvement through 'tinkering' and 'debugging'
using logical reasoning
questioning the technological world around us and understanding how computer networks operate while cultivating a passion for designing and writing exciting programs for specific goals

Intent - Context

How does the curriculum reflect our school's context?

At Bowdon Church School we have high expectations for our children in all aspects of the curriculum, including Computing. Computing in our school provides the children with a thorough grounding, so they are able to successfully further develop their knowledge and skills at secondary level.

Intent - Sequence & Structure

How does the curriculum plan to set out the sequence and structure of how we will teach the knowledge and skills?

Each year the scheme of work builds on the knowledge and skills learnt previously. The different aspects of the Computing curriculum are clearly separated (Computer Science, Digital Literacy and Information Technology) and are taught explicitly to ensure sound understanding but also provide opportunities to apply these skills within other aspects of computing, embedding them further. E-safety is age relevant and taught, not only during computing lessons, but also through assemblies, class discussions and Life Skills/ PSHE lessons.

In EYFS children are introduced to all three areas of the curriculum's basic skills such as logging on, mouse skills, basic art packages and pre-coding skills, such as simple coding of algorithms without a PC (Kudo robots). This provides the children with a firm basis of basic knowledge and skills to prepare them for computing in KS1, where the children begin to write code using a PC, are introduced to a range of IT skills, and are able to create/ edit digital images and record simple sound bites.

By the time the children are in UKS2, they are able to explore sophisticated coding, incorporating variables, forever loops and repeats, as well as if statements and control buttons. They are able to create apps for games and coding remote devices using both software and hardware. Children are introduced to a greater range of IT skills, incorporating Microsoft Office/Google software with children refining their skills and developing exciting programs for specific goals. They are also given the opportunity to use their knowledge and skills to create and edit more extensive projects through Stop Motion Animation videos and Enterprise Challenge ads.