Computing
We recognise the importance of equipping children from an early age with the tools required to access a full curriculum. This means that we place a key focus on computing.
The National Curriculum states:
A high-quality computing education equips 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 the children 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, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programmes, 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.
We promote high standards of computing skills by providing a good understanding of computing and E-Safety so the pupils are prepared for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. At Brompton-Westbrook the children feel confident and resilient enough to be able to engage in computing. We will do this through using a well-planned sequential, and ambitious curriculum, and by promoting an enjoyment of using different aspects of computing.
The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all pupils:
- Can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts for computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation
- Can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programmes 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
The focus of study in KS1 will enable the pupils to understand what technology is and how to use it safely. They will be able to save and retrieve their work as well as take pictures and know how to edit them. By the end of KS1 the children will understand what an algorithm is and write a simple one of their own and debug it. They will understand that within a part of a programme will only happen if a specific action happens.
In KS2, the pupils will learn how to research safely using search engines and be able to narrow their search by applying filters and use their critical thinking skills to analyse and evaluate the quality and accuracy of the digital content. The pupils will have a clear understanding on the way’s technology is used to communicate with other people and identify inappropriate behaviour and how they should respond to this. They will build on their algorithm knowledge by applying it to real-life situation, they will be able to look at an algorithm and debug any errors. This will lead to them designing and making a programme that follows a simple sequence that uses repetition, ‘if’ statements. The pupils will finish using a logical method to find bugs and approach the task using a systematic approach to try and identify the particular line of code that is the problem.
We use ‘Purple Mash’ to ensure that all these areas are taught effectively.
If you are looking for additional information regarding e-safety, please follow the tab off of the computing curriculum page.
Purplemash
In school, we currently use Purple Mash to support our teaching of the computing curriculum. Every child has their own log in and password. Some skills such as 'coding' are now taught throughout a child's time at Primary School and are skills which can be practiced consistently.
Below are a list of activities on Purple Mash which you may want to practice in your own time. There are also many other resources available on Purple Mash to access at home.
https://www.purplemash.com/app/code/openended/freecodechimp - A free code area for Key Stage 1 children
https://www.purplemash.com/app/code/openended/freecodegibbon - A free code area for Lower Key stage 2 children
https://www.purplemash.com/app/code/openended/freecodegorilla - A free code area for Upper Key stage 2 children
https://www.purplemash.com/#app/tools/diy3d - A game design resource for children of all ages.
https://www.purplemash.com/#tab/pm-home/computing/2type2 - A resource to teach children of all ages to touch type using a keyboard.
Useful Computing websites
Key stage 1 computing resources found at https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zyhbwmn
Key stage 2 computing resources found at https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zvnrq6f
Information on Key stage 1 Computing curriculum found at https://www.theschoolrun.com/KS1-computing
Information on Key stage 2 Computing Curriculum found at https://www.theschoolrun.com/KS2-computing
