Intent
At Brookburn, we believe that a high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world.
Although computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology, the core of Brookburn’s computing curriculum 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.
Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. This will often include linking their computing knowledge to other areas of the curriculum (for example, through making movies and animations on the iPads; building, programming and controlling robots and publishing work through the class blogs).
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 for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.
The National Curriculum Aims
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.
Implementation
At Brookburn, we use a range of resources, including the Rising Stars – ‘Switched On’ Computing Units of study. Our staff are skilled in adapting these units to ensure there are opportunities for:
- Cross-curricular work
- Spaced repetition of key computing concepts
- Developing personal and social skills, in particular around aspects of e-safety and digital citizenship
The overview illustrates the range of units in each year group and is available to download in the documents section at the bottom of the page.
Mastery of the Curriculum
In accordance with The National Curriculum, pupils at Brookburn are assessed on meeting a number of expectations.
Key Stage 1 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 Pupils should be taught 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.
Our curriculum, delivered mostly through the Rising Stars ‘Switched On’ Units of Work, is divided into three main strands and several sub-strands that represent the main elements of primary school computing.
Computer Science
Problem solving
Programming
Logical thinking
Information Technology
Creating content
Searching
Digital Literacy
E-safety
Using IT beyond school
Each area is represented by a different colour which you can see with the matching objectives on the National Curriculum paired with how the children’s skills progress through school.
The tables below are also available to download in the documents section at the bottom of the page.
Impact
Our children are exposed to opportunities throughout their time at Brookburn to engage in discreet computing lessons and then to apply skills in a range of cross-curricula contexts. Teachers embed computing in the wider curriculum and also the give children the confidence and skill with which they are able to apply their knowledge. This will prepare them for a future where ICT and Computing will be commonplace in the workplace and in life.
