Computing Vision Statement

 “Computer science empowers students to create the world of tomorrow.” (Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft)

To create adventurous citizens of the future, Computing at St. John’s ensures children are equipped with computational thinking skills and creativity to prepare them for life in an ever-changing digital world. It aims to highlight the unlimited power of technology to solve problems, to be creative, digitally literate and inspire the next generation of computer users and programmers.

Children enjoy experimenting with coding and learning from their mistakes to achieve success.  Knowledge is built up year-on-year, challenging their thinking and problem solving skills to create and develop some complex games.

Being in Bristol, we are inspired by many local technology, computing and robotics companies. We strive to make children aware of possible careers in the dynamic field of Computing and the wider STEM subjects.

We support children to be digital citizens who recognise both the benefits and challenges of an ever-changing digital world through online safety discussions.  Lessons guide them to consider their own safety and responsibility to contribute positively to an online society.

Curriculum

Our Computing Curriculum is designed to be engaging, ambitious, broad and inclusive.

Adapted from the ‘National Centre for Computing Education’s Curriculum (Teach Computing) we have created a bespoke St John’s curriculum that fits the classes, vision and resources of our school.  Computing is taught by specialist teachers as part of a rotation of PPA subjects.

It is divided into 4 strands to ensure progression and coverage year on year:

Creating Media (2 units per year)
Programming (2 units per year)
Computer Systems and Networks
Data and Information

In Creating Media, children learn skills such as; photo/video editing, making podcasts, 3D modelling and digital music.

In Programming, children learn to code using child friendly languages such as Scratch and Logo. Using Lego WeDo, children can even build and then code their very own Lego robot with a distance and tilt sensor, to solve real world problems. We also code Micro:bits to help us with our cross curricula learning, such as in Science.

In Computer Systems and Networks, children begin by learning keyboard and mouse skills progressing to looking at how the internet works and using emails to communicate.

In Data and Information, children use Google Software to create word documents,  spreadsheets, slides, graphs and quizzes.

At St. John’s, we recognise the importance of Computing being an integral part of learning in all subjects.

Each KS1 and KS2 class has 6 iPads which are regularly used across the broader school curriculum. We also have several class sets of Chrome Books for use in all subjects. Children have their own Google Log in and are taught how to log in quickly and efficiently, starting with Emoji passwords in KS1 moving on to text log ins for KS2. They can save any work created on their school Google Drive and share it with their teacher and peers. KS2 also use Google Classroom for Computing lessons and other subjects.