Curriculum ICT

At St James Primary School, we aim to prepare our children for their future by giving them the opportunities to gain knowledge and develop skills that will equip them for an ever-changing digital world. Having knowledge and understanding of ICT is of increasing significance for our children’s future both at home, school and for future employment. Our curriculum focuses on a progression of skills in computer science, digital literacy, information technology and online safety to ensure that our children become proficient in safely using, as well as understanding, technology. We understand the need to ensure that these strands are revisited frequently through a range of themes during children’s time at St James Primary School to ensure the learning is embedded and skills are successfully developed. Additionally, our Computing curriculum supports our children’s creativity and cross curricular learning to engage them and enhance their experiences in our school.

It is important in EYFS, to give children a broad, physical and play-based experience of IT in a range of contexts. This can sometimes include outdoor play and provision areas. At St Laurence’s we want children to understand that IT is not just about computers - technology can feed into many areas of our lives. Early years learning environments should feature IT scenarios based on experience in the real world, such as in role play. Children gain confidence, control, and language skills through opportunities to ‘paint’ on iPads or drive a remote-controlled toy. Recording devices can support children to develop their communication skills. A combination of using and being exposed to these range of technologies, will best equip our early years for further development in their later years of primary school.

We teach the National Curriculum, supported by a clear skills and knowledge progression. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children. To ensure a broad range of skills and understanding the computing curriculum is taught across three main strands:

• Digital Literacy

Pupils are taught to use, access and express oneself through digital technology, including a critical understanding of technology’s impact on the individual and society, at a level suitable for the future and as active participants in a digital world.

Children develop practical skills in the safe use of ICT and the ability to apply these skills to solving real life problems, for example safe use of the internet to networks and email.

• Computer Science

Pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming.

We teach our children to understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, algorithms, and data representation. Additionally, we strive to analyse problems to computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems through the use of specific programmes.

• Information Technology

Pupils are equipped to purposefully create programs, systems and a range of content in order to develop products and solutions. They will be able to collect, analyse, evaluate and present data and information.

Children learn to use and express themselves and develop their ideas through ICT for example presenting, writing as well as exploring art and design using multimedia

We also teach a progression of computing vocabulary to develop and support children in their understanding, preparing for an ever-changing technological world. At St James Primary School, we give children access to a wide range of good quality resources and provide cross curricular opportunities for children to apply their computing knowledge and skills. Online safety is routinely taught, and online safety procedures are communicated with all staff and parents. Additional to pupils studying an online safety unit through their computing lessons, every year we also take part in Internet Safety Day. Internet Safety assemblies are also held as well as parent home activities.

• Children will develop a love of computing learning.
• There will be a clear progression of skills across EYFS, Key Stage 1 and 2 that builds on prior knowledge that can be demonstrated in final unit outcomes
• Children will have a good understanding of key computing vocabulary and concepts across the three computing strands: information technology, computer science and digital literacy.
• Opportunities for children to use current resources and gain an understanding in a meaningful context.
• Continue training and support for teachers to ensure that they are skilled in the teaching of computing
• Our children will be confident using a range of technology and be able to clearly discuss their learning from past and current topics, as well as explain their next steps.
• Our children will understand how to engage with technology in a safe and creative way, which is embedded as part of the ethos of St James Primary School.

• Pupils will be interviewed about their learning through use of Pupil Voice.
• Through discussion and feedback, children talk enthusiastically about their computing lessons and speak about how they love learning on the computer. Children can articulate well about the potential risks of being online and talk about ways to keep safe.

This will be populated as soon as possible.