Computing
“We need technology in every classroom and in every student and teacher’s hand, because it is the pen and paper of our time, and it is the lens through which we experience much of our world.”
David Warlick
The children at St Lawrence are living in a world where technology has completely developed and transformed every aspect of society over the past few decades. In an increasingly digital world there now exists a wealth of software, tools and technologies that can be used to communicate, collaborate, express ideas, create digital content and live in an ever-changing technological world. At St Lawrence Catholic Primary school we recognise that pupils are entitled to a computing education which prepares them for living and working in an ever changing digital society. Our teaching of Computing equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and revolutionise the world. Whilst Computing has deep links with mathematics, science and design and technology, it is an integral part of all other curriculum subjects including and not limited to history, geography, phonics and reading.
The computing curriculum is divided into three main areas:
- Computer Science – How computers and computer systems work and how they are designed and programmed
- Information Technology – The purposeful use of existing programs to develop products and solutions
- Digital Literacy- the skills, knowledge and understanding needed in order to participate fully in an increasingly digital world
This allows the children to build a broad and balanced knowledge through which they gain experience in two equally important ways. First is through the teaching of discrete computing skills where children have access to computers in focused computing lessons whereby they will learn how to investigate and program devices, use technology to communicate, use the Internet safely and effectively, handle data, store and, sort and retrieve information. Secondly, the children are provided with the opportunities to use computing in a cross curricular manner to aid and assist with tasks. This includes support through technology enabling those who would otherwise find a given task difficult. They are encouraged to think about, use and apply the skills they have learnt in the other subject areas.
"Computer is not a device anymore. It is an extension of your mind and your gateway to other people"
Mark Shuttleworth
Children at St Lawrence Catholic Primary School have access to a range of resources to enable successful learning and exploration of computing. Within the school, there is a desktop computer, an interactive whiteboard and an iPad in each classroom, Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 have access to an audible story device in every classroom and a bank of iPads. In Upper key stages, children have a bank of Chrome books. Our computer suit comprising of 34 desktop computers, in which the whole school has access and are timetabled for its use and wireless internet connection is provided across the whole school. Having these stationary and mobile devises allows the learning of computing to happen both in discrete lessons and at any time a child decides Computing will support their learning in any given subject.