Merton Bank Primary School

Aims and values

Computing will be delivered in accordance with the statutory entitlement as specified in the National Curriculum (September 2014).  The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure 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

Children will attain the necessary breadth of study by being given opportunities to work with a range of information, explore with a variety of tools and devices, and compare the different uses of ICT. To ensure that the Computing programmes of study and attainment targets are translated into practical and manageable teaching plans, children will be taught in line with the agreed progression documents.

National Curriculum Aims

Key Stage 1 Objectives

Pupils should be taught to:

• understand what algorithms are, how they are implemented as programs on digital devices, and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions
• create and debug simple programs
• use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs
• use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content
• recognise common uses of information technology beyond school
• use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies

Key Stage 2 Objectives

Pupils should be tought to:

• design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts
• use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output
• use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs
• understand computer networks, including the internet; how they can provide multiple services, such as the World Wide Web, and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration
• use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content
• 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 that accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information
• use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact

Wider Curriculum

Computing will also be embedded into the Wider Curriculum which will give children the opportunity to use computing alongside other subjects to demonstrate and practise skills in a variety of situations.

Early Years Foundation Stage

Children will enter the early years setting with varying levels of experience of using computers.  Some children will have considerable experience of the use of computers and remote control type toys.  However there will still be a need to direct these skills into more focussed learning.  In addition there will be children who will be using the computer or other ICT equipment for the first time.  ICT in the early years setting is much more than simple mouse control; it can be an exciting and motivating activity used to develop many important areas of learning.