Computing

At St Teresa’s Primary School, the Catholic faith underpins every aspect of the curriculum and is at the centre of our learning. Children are actively encouraged to ‘Build God’s Kingdom’. We recognise that each child is unique, made in the image and likeness of God.

Intent:

It is our intent at St Teresa’s Primary school to provide pupils with a relevant, challenging, and high-quality computing curriculum that teaches pupils to use computing safely and respectfully. To understand the role and relevance of technology within our world so that they can use computing effectively within their education and wider life. It is important to respond to new developments in technology and equip pupils with the confidence and competence to use computing in later life. The computing curriculum allows them to communicate, problem solve, reason and be creative within a safe and stimulating environment.

The National Curriculum for Computing states that ‘computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world’. Computing should be taught as part of a broad and balanced curriculum using both its obvious links to science and maths as well as enriching other curriculum areas. The aims of the National Curriculum are 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 solve problems.
 are responsible, competent, confident, and creative users of information and communication technology.

At St Teresa’s RC Primary school we intend to meet the National Curriculum aims through a broad and balanced curriculum in which computing plays a vital role for all pupils from Foundation stage to Year 6. We want our children to be able to use technology safely, respectfully, and responsibly.

Implementation:
To ensure high standards of teaching and learning in computing, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school. Our implementation of the computing curriculum is in line with Primary National Curriculum requirements for KS1 and KS2 and the Foundation Stage Curriculum in England. This provides a broad framework and outlines the knowledge and skills taught in each key stage.
We use and follow the Purple Mash scheme of work from Year 1-6, ensuring consistency and progression throughout the school through our half termly units. Year 6 will enhance the Purple Mash scheme by using a wide range of programmes including Google Documents, Google Slides, and Excel etc.

Our Computing progression model is broken down into three strands that make up the computing curriculum. These are Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy. Computer Science underlines the knowledge and skills relating to programming, coding, algorithms and computational thinking. Information Technology underlines the knowledge and skills relating to communication, multimedia and data representation and handling. Digital Literacy underlines the knowledge and skills relating to online safety and technology uses all of which are covered weather combined or discreetly.

The Purple Mash scheme of work enables clear coverage of the computing curriculum across the school. Lessons are broken down into weekly units; these are practical and engaging and allow computing lessons to be hands on. Units cover a broad range of computing components such as coding, spreadsheets, Internet and Email, Databases, Communication networks, touch-typing, animation and online safety.

Through our Purple Mash subscription, our teachers can deliver thematic, cross-curricular lessons that also follow children’s interests and provide flexibility. Purple Mash has an online portal of age-appropriate software, games and activities as well as topic materials and materials to support children’s learning in other subject areas for all key stages.
Computing lessons will also use the Purple Mash software to ‘make music’ using the 2Sequence program, design and make using the 2Animate software and make links with maths through spreadsheets using 2Calculate. Staff are also able to access a wealth of CPD and Webinars to support the delivery of Purple Mash.

Our pupils are fully encouraged to engage with ICT and technology outside of school. Each teacher and pupil at has their own unique Purple Mash login and password. Computing work can be stored and saved using pupil log in details and homework or ‘2do’s’ can also be set for pupils to access and complete tasks at home that link with their current class learning.

It is every child’s right to have the right to enjoy childhood online, to access safe online spaces, and to benefit from all the opportunities that a connected world can bring to them, appropriate to their age and stage. “Education for a Connected World” is a tool that enables the development of teaching and learning as well as guidance to support children and young people to live knowledgeably, responsibly and safely in a digital world. We use “Project Evolve” to support us in our delivery of 8 different aspect of online education.
1.Self-image and Identity
2. Online relationships
3. Online reputation
4. Online bullying
5. Managing online information
6. Health, wellbeing and lifestyle
7. Privacy and security
8. Copyright and ownership

Computing and safeguarding go hand in hand and we provide a huge focus on internet safety inside and outside of the classroom. Additional to all pupils studying an online safety unit through their computing lessons, every year we also take part in National Safer Internet Day in February.

Impact:

We want children at St Teresa’s to be proficient in their use of technology 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 for the benefit of themselves and others, but more importantly – safely. Teachers assess children’s work in Computing by making informal judgments as they observe during lessons. Children will receive instant verbal feedback in order to aid their progress in the subject. Work that is saved on Purple Mash will be marked with comments.
We measure impact through visits to Computing lessons, looking at children’s digital profiles and through pupil discussions.

Click here for a link to the DfE School Performance tables website

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St Teresa's RC Primary School

Address: 5 McDonald Road, Irlam, Manchester, M44 5LH
Headteacher: Mrs Sandra Burgess
Tel: 0161 777 8203  /  0161 921 2053
Email: stteresas.rcprimaryschool@salford.gov.uk

St Teresa's RC Primary School

Address:
5 McDonald Road, Irlam, Manchester, M44 5LH

Headteacher:
Mrs Sandra Burgess

Telephone:
0161 777 8203

Email:
stteresas.rcprimaryschool@salford.gov.uk