Computing
Computing at St Austin's...
At St Austin’s School we want every child to be happy and enthusiastic learners of Computing, and to be eager to achieve their very best in order to fulfil their God-given talents. We firmly believe that the recipe for success is high quality first-wave teaching in Computing, which is central to the life of our happy, caring school.
Intent
Our Computing curriculum aims to equip children to use computational thinking and creativity, to understand and change the world. We intend to motivate and inspire children through lessons that engage and challenge all learners.
We use resources from both Purple Mash and Teach Computing in our curriculum, which provides a structured computing curriculum based on the Computing National Curriculum and encompasses the 3 strands of Digital literacy, Information Technology and Computer science.
Each strand is progressively built upon and is complemented by identified space learning opportunities, and pupil-led prior learning tasks. Objectives for each unit are clearly laid out and staff may choose alternative resources to deliver content.
Implementation
In computing, we implement an inclusive curriculum that meets the requirements of the National Curriculum. Our curriculum is well-planned and provides cross-curricular opportunities.
The computing curriculum has three strands: Computer Science, Digital Literacy and Information Technology, and children develop their knowledge and skills in these areas. They are taught the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation.
Children analyse problems in computational terms and have practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve problems. They evaluate and apply Information Technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies. By instilling creativity and enthusiasm in our children, learning can be extended by accessing a range of software at home.
Our curriculum is delivered through highly effective ‘quality first teaching’. Children have dedicated computing lessons for 1 hour per week and they are taught computing skills across other curriculum areas. Enrichment opportunities, including inspirational visitors and working within the community, provide our children with rich experiences and enhance teaching, learning and knowledge.
Our Computing curriculum promotes children’s Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development, ensuring that they are reflective and responsible citizens. Fundamental British Values are actively promoted in Computing lessons in order to prepare the children for life in Modern Britain.
Impact
Our Computing curriculum enables children to become both users and creators. Across all phases of the school, children understand algorithms and programming and how this all fits into our digital world.
We pride ourselves on using and implementing new and innovative technologies to prepare children for the ever–changing digital world we live in, whilst embedding the safe, respectful and responsible use of technology, recognising both acceptable and unacceptable online behaviour and identifying a range of ways to report concerns about content or contact.
Children are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
Learning from the best - be inspired...
Pupil views of Computing at St Austin's
What do our pupils think about computing at St Austin's?
Pupils from each class were invited to shared their views on computing at St Austin's through pupil voice discussions and this is what they told us!
Safer Internet Day
On Tuesday 11th February we will celebrate Safer Internet Day in School. The aim of the day is to revisit and extend the pupils knowledge of staying safe on the internet. This year the focus was on making a difference, managing influences and navigating change online.