Computing  

Vision Statement:

At Washingwell, we believe computing is an integral part of everyday life and will play an immeasurable part in our children’s futures. We believe computing allows our pupils to enhance their investigative skills, which can be transferred to all areas of the curriculum.  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. Our vision is that the use of these technologies will enrich the experience of all pupils and that these resources will help to provide an environment without boundaries, where opportunities can be explored in safety and confidence. Computing at Washingwell will stimulate curiosity, broaden experiences and challenge learning.

Our school bases the core work in computing around the National Curriculum which aims to ensure that all pupils:

• can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data presentation
• 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 and unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems
• are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology

What does computing offer children? How does it enhance the curriculum?

• It allows children to explore ideas, record experiences, evaluate and think critically about their work.
• It incorporates techniques and methods for solving problems and advancing knowledge.
• Computational thinking provides insights into many areas of the curriculum, and influences work at the cutting edge of a wide range of disciplines.
• Computing has deep links with maths, science and design technology; building on this knowledge and understanding children will use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content.

What use is it to children in later life? 

• Gives children a basis to access the world around them.
• Develops a sense of achievement.
• Leads to a range of opportunities in a variety of fields such as Government, police, security, analytics, engineering and design.