Computing

Our Computing Intent

At Oyster Park Primary Academy, we intend to instil a sense of enjoyment around using technology and to develop pupil’s appreciation of its capabilities and the opportunities technology offers to create, manage, organise and collaborate. We intend for our children to develop their speaking and listening skills, within the computing curriculum, by using a range of different software where children of all ages can find, analyse and present information and further evaluate their presentations. We aim to develop independent learners who are fluent in their understanding of computer science by teaching them how to use a range of programs where they are able to design, create and evaluate their work using specific vocabulary. We ensure our children are taught the importance of safe internet use during computing lessons but also in our bespoke S.M.S.C curriculum. In every year group, online safety is a key focus and we are proud that a vast majority of our children have the knowledge and understanding of how to stay safe online.  We promote the importance of using technology safely and respectfully by ensuring all of our children have access to our key stage specific safe internet use posters, which are clearly displayed in every classroom. Our ambition, for our children, is for them to leave us developing their digital literacy and being able to safely use technology and develop their ideas through information and communication technology which they will be able to apply to their further education and future career to become masters of technology in the rapidly changing digital world.

 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.

Reading

In Computing, we cultivate a reading culture by exposing children to a variety of genres through carefully planned activities.  In Key Stage 1, this will entail using their knowledge of instructions to create their own algorithm for familiar contexts, such as dressing up and making a sandwich, as well as researching and presenting information for what an astronaut may need to live aboard the International Space Station (ISS). In Key Stage 2, this will include creating movie trailer scripts, presentational materials such as a poster about the history of computers, and creating and editing webpages.

Oracy

Oracy is the ability to articulate ideas, develop understanding and engage with others through spoken language. In Computing, Oracy is a powerful tool for learning. By teaching our children to become more effective speakers and listeners we aim to empower them to have a better understanding of the digital world around them and acquire the ability to describe and explain how computers and computer systems work and how to use them safely and respectfully.

SEND

At Oyster Park Primary Academy, we are aware that a child’s computing ability and enquiring mind is not directly related to their writing or Mathematic ability. All children are given the opportunity to work computationally with support appropriate to their SEN learning barriers. Children are encouraged and supported to ask their own questions as well as complete teacher led enquiries.