"A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems."

National Curriculum, DfE 2014

At St James’ Primary School, our cyclical curriculum focuses on the 3 aspects of computer science, computer safety and information technology. Our pupils revisit these aspects throughout their time in our school. They will learn how computers and computer systems work, they will design and build programs, develop their ideas using technology and create a range of content. Each time they revisit an aspect, it is with increasing complexity to build on their prior knowledge.

Through the computing curriculum, our children will learn how computers and computer systems work, they will design and build programs, develop their ideas using technology and create a range of content using a whole host of software and apps. 

Importantly, they will learn about e-safety and how to use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly in an ever increasing digital world.

Our children are adept at using and applying their computing skills across the curriculum, for example in English, DT, art and music.

We aim to enure that all pupils:

• can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation
• can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems
• can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems
• are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology
• have the skills and knowledge to access online learning at home.

End Points

Key stage 1

Pupils will be taught to:

·       Understand what algorithms are, and how they are implemented.

·       Create and debug simple programs.

·       Predict the behaviour of simple programs.

·       Create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content.

·       Recognise common uses of ICT beyond school.

·       Use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private, and to identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns online.

Key stage 2

Pupils will be taught to:

·       Design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems, and solving problems.

·       Use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs.

·       Work with variables and various forms of input and output.

·       Explain how some simple algorithms work, and how they can detect and correct errors.

·       Understand computer networks, how they can provide multiple services, and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration.

·       Use search technologies, understand how results are selected and ranked, and be able to critically evaluate digital content.

·       Select, use and combine a variety of software on a range of devices to design and create programs, systems and content that accomplish specific goals.

·       Use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly, recognise acceptable behaviour and identify a range of ways to report online concerns.

 Useful Websites and Information

‘And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.’

Romans 5:2-4