Computing
Computing Whole School Long Term Plan
At Dewhurst St Mary, we teach Computing discreetly however we do make meaningful links across our wider school curriculum when this benefits children’s understanding . Children use skills learnt in Computing to support their studies in other subjects. Lesson planning is supported using the Kapow Scheme of Work.
Why do we teach computing?
At Dewhurst St Mary we help pupils to use problem-solving methods and their solutions in ways that a computer could carry out to understand and change the world. Computing links with mathematics, science, and design and technology, and provides an understanding into both natural and artificial systems. The main principal of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the values of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. We build on this knowledge and understanding, so that pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs and systems.
Through computing we also ensure that pupils become digitally literate –they are able to use, and express themselves using various programmes (such as Microsoft Word, Publisher, PowerPoint and Excel) at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.
We aim to ensure that all of our pupils:
- understand and can use the essential concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation.
- can investigate problems and have repeated practice of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems.
- evaluate and apply their skills including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.
- are responsible, capable, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
- have a secure understanding of E-safety and are made aware of the dangers when using computing.
We believe that it is very important that children are taught to be good Digital Citizens. Therefore, every year group delivers online safety to ensure a shared understanding of how to stay safe in the online world. Throughout the course of the year, class teachers revisit online safety through Digital Citizenship lessons at the beginning of each half term. Digital Citizenship lessons encompass online safety, cyber bullying, the importance of online privacy and identity, healthy technology usage, healthy relationships, use of passwords, copyright and managing information online.
