Intent
‘The computer was born to solve problems that did not exist before’ Bill Gates.
In line with the 2014 National Curriculum for Computing, our aim is to provide a high quality computing education which equips children to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. The curriculum we deliver will teach children key knowledge about how computers and computer systems work, and how they are designed and programmed.
By the time they leave Durham Gilesgate Primary, children will have gained key knowledge and skills in the three main areas of the computing curriculum. The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming.
Information technology (using computer systems to store, retrieve and send information) allows our children to use IT to find,
explore, analyse, exchange and present information. We also focus on developing the skills necessary for children to be able to use information in a discriminating and effective way. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to
use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable to be active participants in a digital world. The objectives within each strand support the development of learning across the key stages, ensuring a solid grounding for future learning and beyond.
Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. We want children to know more, remember more and understand more in computing so that they leave
primary school computer literate.
Implementation
At Durham Gilesgate primary the implementation of the computing curriculum ensures a balanced coverage of computer science, information technology and digital literacy. We use the Computing scheme of work from Purple Mash which is a comprehensive set of resources aligned to the National Curricula for Computing, Technology and Digital Competence.
The Scheme of Work is intended to facilitate teachers in achieving the very best outcomes for children. It exposes children to a
wide variety of digital tools, technological skills, and innovations. Using this carefully sequenced approach, ensures the children 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.
Impact
We expect that the majority of children will achieve at age related standards in computing at the end of each year. We recognise that some children may not achieve this standard, but we will expect that they have made good progress from their starting point. We also recognise that some other children will exceed age related standards and we will have deepened learning for these children. Our approach to the curriculum results in a fun, engaging, and high-quality computing education.
Much of the subject-specific knowledge developed in our computing lessons equip pupils with experiences which will benefit them in secondary school, further education and future workplaces. From research methods, use of presentation and creative tools and critical thinking, computing at Durham Gilesgate Primary gives children the building blocks that enable them to pursue a wide range of interests and vocations in the next stage of their lives.