Purpose of Study
A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world, this is especially important at Carville as it will broaden the life experiences of our children by embedding functional and fundamental skills through a new and stimulating medium. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science and design and technology; throughout the course of their primary education, pupils will be presented with plentiful opportunities to draw upon and apply prior knowledge in these other subjects to a computing context, ultimately strengthening their mental models and providing deeper, longer-lasting learning.
The core of computing is computer science, in which 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, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content.
Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate, which is the most crucial strand to develop at Carville as our pupils often encounter barriers which inhibit their ability to develop digital literacy in line with their age related expectation. Carville’s whole school computing curriculum places an additional emphasis on developing the fundamental skill of digital literacy as it directly underpins pupils ability to use, express and develop their ideas through information and communication technology, at a suitable level for the future workplace and as active participants of the digital world.
Who is the Carville Computer Scientist?
The Carville Computer Scientist is able to use their digital literacy to become a responsible, competent, confident and creative user of a variety of hardware and software. The Carville Computer Scientist is aware of the purpose of developing skills in information and communication technology, understanding and appreciating the value of it both in themselves and its positive impact on wider society.
The Carville Computer Scientist can analyse and solve problems and use this when working with programs and algorithms. They understand how the internet works and are discerning about search results. The Carville Computer Scientist can create, save and retrieve content across a number of technologies due to having a strong foundation of digital literacy. They can make connections with other areas of learning to build and consolidate effective mental models.
Carville Curriculum Rationale
- Objectives across all strands of computing revisited and embedded within and across year groups and key stages to ensure cumulative fluency.
- Pupils make connections between and across curriculum areas and apply this understanding to a range of purposeful, engaging and practical contexts.
- Development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills helps to develop pupils’ character.
