Intent  Implementation  Impact

Intent: The layout of our curriculum, the units, and WHY they are taught in a particular order. What we expect the children to learn at St George’s and why.

Implementation: How we get the children to accomplish what we set out for them – what kinds of resources will we use. What sorts of tasks they will complete. How we assess the children and ensure they make progress.

Impact: Using assessment to look at how each year group will move on and develop. Looking at the impact of each unit and how it links to previous learning and future learning. What will a Year Two digitally literate child look like at the end of their St George’s journey?

Intent

At St George’s we aim for pupils to have a foundational understanding of computing to include algorithms, simple programs, logical reasoning and prediction. We also aim for pupils to purposefully and creatively store, manipulate and retrieve digital content as well as recognising how technology is used across the wider world. Our intention is that pupils will also be able to use their computing skills across the curriculum and to inform and enhance life-long learning.

We also recognise that young children need a strong, but age-appropriate, understanding of how to keep safe when using modern computing technology and the internet. This will then allow pupils to feel protected, well-informed and able to self-regulate when using technology and the internet and all it has to offer.

Supporting these aims is our vision “Inspire, Believe, Achieve. With God all things are possible”. This shared vision underpins everything we do at St George’s; enabling our children to become successful learners and caring, thoughtful individuals. 

Implementation 

Our computing curriculum recognises that ICT is able to be taught both as a discrete subject as well as cross – curricular.  Many of the skills are transferrable which provides a wealth of learning opportunities across the curriculum subjects. In Key Stage One, computing is taught once a week discretely using the Purple Mash scheme of work and as regularly as possible in support of other areas of learning across the school.

The children have access to Ipads, laptops, Notebooks and Beebots to help support their learning. In addition to this, each classroom has an Interactive Whiteboard, to further enable and enhance learning

Our teaching implements the computing National Curriculum which is comprised of 3 main parts; Digital Literacy, Information Technology and Computer Science. Knowledge and skills are taught progressively, allowing the children to embed their learning over time.

Computer Science teaches the principles of information and computation. It involves creating and debugging simple programs using algorithms. At St George’s School we introduce the language of Computer Science in different contexts. We begin with using precise verbal instructions (algorithms) to get a friend to a certain point across the room. We then move on to using the Beebots and then creating their own game on Purple Mash using coding.

Digital Literacy involves using ICT purposefully as a tool for learning. Our children learn to use the internet to search for information, use the keyboard to type text, make modifications to their work including changing the font size and colour, and to save and retrieve their work. The children use Ipads to take their own photos and videos and learn to manipulate these images.

Information Technology is the understanding of how ICT is used beyond school and how to keep safe on the internet. Our children experience ICT in the wider world at the supermarket, on our school trips and at home.

In Early Years, computing is taught throughout the Early Years Curriculum as part of their continuous provision. The children will recognise that technology is used in school when they go on an ICT spotting walk. Our children have access to Ipads at all times, take photographs on the iPads and experiment with Beebots to begin experimenting with Computer Science.

We teach e-safety as an explicit part of our curriculum through Computing and PSHE. We discuss issues such as; keeping personal information private, trusting people and sources online, treating others online as we would in real life, posting images online, and what to do if anything makes children feel uncomfortable online. We also use Hector's World to introduce children to e-safety issues, as well as stories such as Smartie the Penguin and Digiduck’s Big Decision.

At St George’s we promote independence for all students to take responsibility in their own learning, therefore we have implemented self-assessment KWHL grids, which the children use as a working document to track their achievements and progress at the

beginning, during and at the end of a topic.

Impact

The National Curriculum purpose of study for Computing reads:

 A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. The core of computing 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. 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.

After the implementation of this robust computing curriculum, the children at St George’s Infant School will be digitally literate and able to join the rest of the world on its digital platform. They will be equipped, not only with the skills and knowledge to use technology effectively, but most importantly, safely.