Computing Aims

Pupils understanding will be based upon skills surrounding: Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy.

Our pupils will understand and apply the fundamental principles of computing by using abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation.

They will also analyse problems in computational terms and evaluate and apply information technology to solve problems. Pupils will be responsible, competent, confident, safe and creative users of information and communication technology.

Computing is changing the lives of everyone. Through teaching Computing we equip children to participate in a rapidly-changing world where work and leisure activities are increasingly transformed by technology. We enable them to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information.

The aims of Computing are to equip children with the skills necessary to use technology to become independent learners, the teaching style that we adopt is as active and practical as possible. At times we do give children direct instruction on how to use hardware or software in ‘skills’ lessons but we often use Computing capabilities to support teaching across the curriculum. So, for example, children might research a history topic by using the Internet, or they might investigate a particular issue on the Internet.

E-safety

We are committed to ensuring that our school systems are safe and suitable for pupil and staff use. We also ensure that pupils learn about e-safety issues in all areas of computing and are equipped with the skills to deal with any difficulties that they may encounter. Pupils have individual log-ons, passwords and email addresses that are non-specific eg the format is not easy to predict. As part of the home-school agreement all pupils are made aware of the school computing rules:

Rules for Responsible Computer and Internet Use

• On the school network I will use only my own login and password, which I will keep a secret.
• I will not look at or delete other people’s files
• I will only use computers for school work and homework.
• I will not put anything in the computer unless I have been given permission.
• I will ask permission from a member of staff before using the Internet.
• I will only email and send messages to people I know, or my teacher has approved.
• The messages I send will be polite and responsible.
• I will not use chatrooms or Internet chat unless given permission by a teacher.
• When sending email, I will not give my home address or telephone number, or arrange to meet someone.
• I will ask permission before opening an email or an email attachment sent by someone I do not know.
• I will remember that some material on the Internet is copyright protected.
• I will only download files that I need for school work.
• If I see anything I am unhappy with or I receive messages I do not like, I will tell a teacher. I know that the school may check my computer files and the Internet sites that I have visited.
• I understand that if I deliberately break these rules, I could be stopped from using the computer, Internet and email.
• I understand that the school may check my computer files and may monitor the Internet sites I visit.

Parents/carers can find additional computing safety advice can on the Think you Know website.

The Computing Curriculum

We have very carefully mapped out our computing curriculum at the Rosary to ensure that progression of the children's skills develop through their time at our school.

Areas covered include:

Programming

Computational Thinking

Creativity

Computer Networks

Communication / Collaboration

Productivity