Intent

At Coten End, Computing is a subject we are passionate about. We are acutely aware that our children will soon be entering a world in which technology will be at the centre.  

We hope to enable our children to have rich, long lasting learning experiences that balance all the aspects of computing. With technology playing such a significant role in society today, we believe ‘Computational thinking’ is a skill children must be taught if they are to be able to participate effectively and safely in this digital world. At Coten End, we understand that Computing has intrinsic links with mathematics, science, and design and technology, and enables pupils to make connections and apply understanding across all areas of learning. We aim to introduce our pupils to a wide range of technology. Key programs used at Coten End across KS1 and KS2 are Chromebooks, iPads, BeeBots, Scratch, 2Code and LegoWeDo. This allows our pupils to continually practice and improve the skills they learn. We hope our children leave Coten End with skills of digital literacy at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.

Implementation

In EYFS children will take part in lessons of online safety as they explore the world around them and how technology is an everyday part of their learning and understanding of the world.

In Key Stage 1 the children will:

• Learn what algorithms are; how they are implemented as programs on digital devices; and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions.
• Create and debug simple programs and use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs.
• Be shown how to use a range of technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content as well as recognise common uses of information technology beyond school.
• Be taught to use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies.

In Key Stage 2 the children will:

• Design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts. 
• Use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs, use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and correct errors in algorithms and programs.
• Understand computer networks, including the internet, and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration.
• Use search technologies effectively, learn to appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content.
• Be taught to select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals.
• Use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact.

Impact

Pupils leave Coten End with an understanding of the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation. They can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems. Our pupils can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems and apply their knowledge to the wider world. Above all, we hope our pupils leave Coten End responsible, competent, confident, creative and safe users of information and communication technology.