Computing

Intent

Children at Farncombe C of E Infant School are living in a world surrounded by devices, and technology is changing the lives of everyone. Through teaching computing we equip our children to participate in a rapidly changing world where work and leisure activities are increasingly transformed by technology. At Farncombe C of E Infant School we want all pupils, including the lowest 20%, to be inspired by technology and able to thrive as digital citizens. We aim for pupils to be confident and competent using a range of technology positively, responsibly and safely. We wish to enable them to explore, analyse, present and exchange information and ideas and to understand that there is always a choice with using technology. As a school we utilise technology (especially social media) to model positive use.

At Farncombe Infant School, we encourage pupils to use technology to share their learning in creative ways. Our knowledge-rich curriculum is balanced with computing skills to allow our children to become confident, creative and inquisitive learners who are able to be critical and challenge themselves. We understand and promote, the accessibility opportunities technology can provide for all our pupils. 

 

Implementation

Our curriculum recognises that Computing can be taught as discreet lessons and as lessons woven through the other subjects within the curriculum. Our curriculum encompasses computer science, information technology and digital literacy.

Computer Science teaches the principles of information and computation. It involves creating and debugging simple programs using algorithms. This begins with helping children to understand the language involved in providing clear instructions. This might relate to classroom routines or simple activities like copying a pattern and moves on to programming toys such as Beebots and using Purple Mash programmes to explore giving directions around a track. The children will need to identify how to ‘fix’ their instructions at every level. 

Information technology is understanding how ICT is used within our lives both in school and beyond. Children are encouraged to identify various technologies and are encouraged to use them for tasks such as taking photos and researching information. They experience technology in the wider world such as children taking the short step to the local train station to see technology in action in a different context. 

Digital Literacy is about understanding how technology can enhance our learning. Children have the opportunity to present work in different ways such as converting data into charts in maths or creating a persuasive leaflet on Purple Mash. Younger children can use Mini Mash to create simple picture stories and retell their story to the class. The importance of digital literacy across the curriculum was recently seen during the global pandemic when education rapidly moved ‘online’.

E-safety is taught both as a series of discreet lessons and throughout our curriculum making up part of our overall provision about keeping ourselves safe and knowing who to talk to. (Please refer to our e-safety policy)

 

National Curriculum Links

The national curriculum 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. 

 

What will you see in a computing lesson?

  • Computing hardware and software being utilised to enhance the learning outcomes of our children, across the curriculum. (Double click the icons to watch the videos showing how children in reception brought story characters to life using their own sounds and words).

  • Children confidently using the technology available to them in school and with little help needed in navigating their way around technology.