COMPUTING

Computing at St. Andrew’s School

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 –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 for all children

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.

In Key Stage One, children will learn to write and test simple programs. They will also be taught how to organise, store and retrieve data. Children will be taught to use the internet safely and respectfully. 

In Key Stage Two, children will be taught to understand computer networks, including the internet. They will also learn to design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals. Children will be taught to use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly.