Computing
‘Teaching computing will enable young people to gain the knowledge and skills that will help them make sense of, and contribute to, the society and world they live in.’ Paul Thornton
‘Everybody in this country should learn to program a computer, because it teaches you how to think.’ Steve Jobs
Purpose of study
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 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 – 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.
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.
At Merton Park we want all children to:
The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all pupils:
- be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
- have a ‘can do’ attitude when engaging with technology.
- understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation.
- analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience using a range of different resources and applications.
- apply their learning in a range of contexts.
- know how to keep themselves safe whilst using technology and on the internet and be able to minimise risk to themselves and others.
- know and follow the SMART E-Safety rules to understand how to stay safe online
Curriculum documents
KS1 progression in disciplinary knowledge