The current computing curriculum is presented as a subject designed to help children understand the world. There is a focus on computational thinking and creativity, as well as opportunities for creative work in programming and digital media.

The computing curriculum is split into three main areas:

Computer Science (CS) Information Technology (IT) Digital Literacy (DL)
Computer science teaches children 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 develop skills to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. The Computing curriculum 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.

Children at Midhurst Primary School (MPS) follow the iCompute scheme of work which offers a creative and diverse range of topics which can often be tailored to work with our curriculum topics.

We are well resourced with hardware: computer suite (18 PCs), computers in each classroom, iPads (62) and a suite of netbooks (30) and utilise a full range of educational software including Oddizzi, Digimaps, Times Tables Rockstars and Sumdog.

At MPS children are encouraged to use their computing skills widely across the curriculum, for example, using Google Earth in Geography and a digital media project for the BBC Ten Pieces project.

Link to MPS Computing skills progression

Here is a brief overview of what each strand of computing looks like across both Key Stages:

KS1 KS2
CS
  • Understand what algorithms are; how they are implemented as programs on digital devices; and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions
  • Create and debug simple programs
  • Use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs
  • Design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts
  • Use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output
  • Use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs
  • Understand computer networks including the internet; how they can provide multiple services, such as the world wide web; and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration
IT
  • Use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content
  • Use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content
  • Select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information
DL
  • Recognise common uses of information technology beyond school
  • Use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies
  • Understand the opportunities networks offer from communication and collaboration
  • Be discerning in evaluating digital content
  • use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact