Aims

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

Intent

All pupils at Decoy School have the right to be empowered members of 21^st century society. Computing education equips children with the skills to understand and shape the increasing roles technology plays in their lives. Computing is broken into three strands: digital literacy, which develops children’s fluency in using technology to produce content; computer science, which teaches computational thinking, algorithms and data representation; and digital citizenship, which encompasses the skills necessary to safely, knowledgeably and fairly participate in online society, taking consideration of others’ feelings and intellectual property.

Implementation

Children at Decoy will develop their understanding and curiosity about technology and computing through a series of lessons offering progression in knowledge and skills, and the opportunity to question and demonstrate their understanding. The lessons we provide develop pupils’ understanding of how technology can be used to support learning and production of content; their computational thinking skills and understanding of algorithms, and how these can be implemented in code; and how to act in an increasingly online world such that they can keep themselves safe, building positive relationships and participate meaningfully in online discourse.

Pupils will learning to make decisions about how to solve problems, by selecting software to present their ideas, and by deciding how to implement algorithms as code. The curriculum is planned such that children build an understanding of fundamental computer science concepts as they progress through the school.

Impact

Decoy School believes in fostering a lifelong curiosity and love of learning, and we recognise that computing and technology will play an ever-growing role in the lives of the children we teach. Our curriculum creates curiosity about technology, and empowers children to understand the world around them. Teachers create a safe environment for children to explore technology so that they leave Decoy School as digital citizens and inquisitive users of technology. We value the importance of pupils being enabled to question how the world around them works, and to reflect on how decisions they and others make about the way technology is used directly affects their lives.