Computing

COMPUTING

Computing is an integral part of everyday life and will play an immeasurable part in our children’s futures. At Westbourne we believe computational thinking is a skill children must be taught in order to participate effectively in our digital world. It allows them to solve problems logically and strategically, with solutions that have been tested, evaluated and improved.

The computing curriculum has been developed to provide children with the foundational skills, knowledge and understanding of computing they will need for the rest of their lives. This has been divided into 3 strands:

Computer Science: This is the core of computing, in which children are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work and how to put this knowledge to use through programming.
 

Information Technology: children are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content.
 

Digital Literacy: Computing also ensures that children become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology.

The curriculum provides children with the necessary skills to become confident users of computers and software, enabling them to explore, create and interact responsibly.

Year 1

Digital collages

Computer animation

Introduction to email

Instructing programmable toys

Filming a cooking show

Year 2

Sending emails

What is a computer?

Digital comics

Collecting and organising data

Introduction to visual programming languages

Year 3

How does the internet work?

Online surveys

Introduction to blogging

Scratch animation

Stop-motion animation

Year 4

Interactive slideshows

Networks

Garageband songs

Podcasting

Scratch costume games

Year 5

Digital profiles

Filming and editing a documentary

Search Engines

Scratch maze games

Blogging

Year 6

Text-based adventure games

Social media

Google Earth geotrails

The video games industry

School yearbooks

Children can be helped to develop their computing skills at home by:

· Typing a letter to a relative

· Sending an email to a friend

· Drawing a picture on a screen

· Using the Internet to research a class topic

· Planning a route with a controllable toy

· Using interactive games

· Playing on an educational App on a tablet