Introduction

Computing as well as being an important area of learning in its own right also has strong links with mathematics, science and design & technology. Computing has two main strands computer science and digital literacy:

• In the computer science strand children are taught how digital systems work, about computation (the use of algorithms in programming) and the use of information. This allows children to begin to develop the skills to create programs, systems and a range of content.
• In the digital literacy strand children are taught to use, express themselves and develop their ideas through information and communication technology.
• In addition to this there is a strong online safety element that weaves itself throughout the computing curriculum so that children can become responsible and safe participants in a digital world.

National Curriculum

The National Curriculum 2014 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

Our Vision for Computing

The use of technology is an integral part of our curriculum and provides pupils with the technological and communication skills they will need to live in our modern and ever changing world. It is our vision that children will develop our six key learning behaviours through the teaching and learning of Computing.

 Aspiration

Throughout the Computing curriculum children will be encouraged to be aspirational in their learning so that they can solve problems, overcome difficulties and accept challenges in their learning so that they can accomplish given goals and outcomes. It is our aspiration that our children will be online safe, online inspired and online confident.

 Creativity

At Sedlescombe we aim to use technology within Computing and across the curriculum to develop children’s creativity and creative thinking.  Children will be encouraged and provided with opportunities to use design tools to create digital art and express their ideas creatively through the use of a wide range of publishing and art programs and apps. Children will be taught how to use and combine a variety of software on a range of devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content. In addition to this children will be given opportunities to think creatively to create algorithms and to correct and detect errors.

 Curiosity

The Digital Literacy strand of the Computing curriculum focuses on the value of technology. In order for children to use technology at its best, we aim to equip pupils with the skills to evaluate its use. Children need to be curious and investigate and evaluate the positive and negative impact technology has on society, in order for them to make clear, confident choices about how they use it in their every day lives.

Courage

The Computer Science strand teaches children to try new ideas and concepts through programming. It teaches children to become resilient as they create and test algorithms. In creating algorithms the children will make mistakes and things won’t always happen as they had hoped. Children will need to be resilient and have the courage to keep trying so that they can debug their own code and experience success through having the courage to persevere and not give up.

 Cooperation

It is our vision that all children will work cooperatively so that they can learn from each other and support each other in their learning. Within Computing this will be actively encouraged through the use of group tasks, children sharing their ideas and growing them together to reach the best solution to a problem. In addition to this it is our aim that all of our children will learn to be respectful users of technology thinking about the impact of their actions on others.

Independence

To be able to access technology independently children need to be equipped with the skills to keep themselves safe online. At Sedlescombe our Computing curriculum has a strong element of online safety and it is our aim to ensure that all children know how to stay safe online and have the skills to create a positive digital footprint and online reputation. In addition to this we want to equip our children with the skills to be discerning in evaluating digital content.