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Exceptional Education at the Heart of the Community

Exceptional Education at the Heart of the Community

Computing

Keyboard

 

Intent

Computing lessons at Oasis Academy Putney aim to equip 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 our 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, we equip pupils 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.

Implementation

Teaching and Learning

To provide adequate time for developing computing knowledge, skills and understanding, each teacher will provide regular computing lessons. These may vary in length based on the objectives being explored. Teachers will base their planning on the programmes of study for their relevant year groups and the “I Can” statements provided in this document and will identify the most appropriate teaching strategy to suit the purpose of each particular learning situation. Some units may be best taught as a discrete piece of learning whilst other units may work best as an integrated part of the topic for the term. There are a variety of ways in which the teaching and learning may be effective.  It should always be made clear that computing is being taught even when it is integrated in to a topic.

Computing lessons have no imposed formal structure but should typically contain some of the following elements: discussion; whole class, group or individual learning; practical work; recording; communicating.

Foundation Stage

We teach computing in the Foundation stage as an integral part of the topic work covered during the year. It comes under Understanding the World in the EYFS. Children must be supported in developing the knowledge, skills and understanding that help them to make sense of the world. Their learning must be supported through offering opportunities for them to experience computers in a wide range of ways and situations.

Key Stage 1

The main aim of computing in Key Stage 1 is to provide children with a breadth of new experiences and to begin to develop an understanding of the breadth of use of computers, begin to use common packages and applications and begin to understand logical use of algorithms.

It is important throughout Key Stage 1 to prepare children to use a variety of computer packages and teach children to develop skills of computational thinking such as logical progression.

Key Stage 2

Throughout Key Stage 2 we aim to continue to provide the best possible breadth of access to new and existing technology.  We aim to provide children with the best possible access to computing in order to prepare them to leave Oasis Academy Putney ready to access the curriculum at Key Stage 3 and beyond.

It is important that we focus heavily on computing skills and knowledge such as logic in coding and underpinning technologies such as how a search engine works in order to embed this deeply in children’s long term memory.  The focus of computing in Key Stage 2 is not simply “how to use applications” so much as “how computers work”.

Impact 

Aims

Teaching of computing at Oasis Academy Putney aims to make sure that every child:

  • 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

Objectives

Every child should leave Oasis Academy Putney:

  • With an understanding of algorithms and logical progression when programming a computer
  • Having had the opportunity to use a number of basic programming languages
  • With a broad range of knowledge of current innovations in information technology
  • With the skills required to use computers effectively to present information in a number of ways
  • With a deep knowledge of how to stay safe and keep others safe in an online environment and how to receive support and advice when things go wrong

 

 

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