Computing
What does Computing look like at Brill?
At Brill Church of England School, we want children to become confident, creative and responsible users of technology who understand not only how to use digital tools, but how and why technology works.
Computing is an important part of our Brill Horizons curriculum, supported by Cornerstones Maestro and Barefoot Computing. Together, these provide a carefully sequenced approach through which children progressively develop their knowledge and skills across computer science, information technology and digital literacy.
Technology will form an important part of our children’s futures. We therefore want them to be able to use it purposefully, safely and intelligently – as creators and problem-solvers rather than simply consumers.
From exploring algorithms and programming to creating digital content, handling information and understanding online safety, children develop the knowledge and confidence they need to navigate an increasingly digital world.
INTENT
Our Computing curriculum is ambitious for every child.
We want children to develop the knowledge and skills to understand, create and communicate using technology, alongside the critical thinking needed to make safe and responsible choices in the digital world.
Through our Computing curriculum, we aim for children to:
- understand the fundamental principles of computer science;
- develop computational thinking and logical reasoning;
- understand and create algorithms;
- write, test and debug programs with increasing complexity;
- recognise patterns and solve problems systematically;
- use a range of digital tools confidently and purposefully;
- create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content;
- select appropriate technology for different tasks;
- understand how digital systems and networks work;
- develop confidence when encountering unfamiliar technology;
- understand how to use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly;
- recognise that information found online needs to be considered critically; and
- become thoughtful and responsible digital citizens.
We want children to understand that Computing isn’t simply about knowing which button to press.
It is about thinking logically, solving problems, creating, questioning and making informed choices.
We encourage children to be bold in exploring possibilities, brave when solving problems and Brill-iant in using technology creatively and responsibly.
IMPLEMENTATION
Brill Horizons, Maestro and Barefoot Computing
Computing is taught through our Brill Horizons curriculum, with learning supported by Cornerstones Maestro and Barefoot Computing.
Learning is carefully sequenced so that children’s knowledge and skills develop progressively from their earliest experiences with technology through to increasingly sophisticated computing in Key Stage 2.
Barefoot Computing supports the development of computational thinking, helping children learn to approach problems logically and systematically.
Children develop important ways of thinking including:
Logic – predicting and analysing what might happen;
Algorithms – creating clear sequences of instructions;
Decomposition – breaking larger problems into manageable parts;
Patterns – identifying similarities and using them to solve problems;
Abstraction – focusing upon the information that matters; and
Evaluation – considering whether a solution works and how it could be improved.
These skills extend far beyond the Computing lesson and help children become confident and resilient problem-solvers.
Computer Science
Computer science helps children understand how computers and digital systems work.
Children progressively develop their understanding of algorithms and programming, moving from simple sequences and instructions towards creating and debugging increasingly complex programs.
They learn that computers follow precise instructions and that when something does not work as expected, they can investigate why.
Programming therefore becomes an opportunity to practise reasoning, perseverance and problem-solving.
Rather than seeing mistakes as failure, children learn to debug: to identify a problem, test possibilities, make changes and try again.
Information Technology
Children learn how technology can be used to create, communicate, organise and present information.
Across their Brill journey, they use a range of digital tools and applications for different purposes and learn to make increasingly informed choices about which technology is most appropriate for a task.
They develop skills in creating and manipulating digital content and learn that technology can support creativity, communication, research and problem-solving.
As children progress, we expect them to become increasingly independent and adaptable users of technology rather than relying upon step-by-step instructions.
Digital Literacy
Being able to operate technology is only one part of being digitally literate.
Children also need to understand the opportunities, responsibilities and challenges that come with living in a connected world.
They learn to consider the reliability of information, understand that online content is created for different purposes and develop increasingly critical approaches to what they encounter digitally.
Children are encouraged to think about their digital footprint, privacy, communication and behaviour online, recognising that our expectations of kindness and respect apply just as much online as they do face-to-face.
Online Safety
Online safety is an essential and ongoing part of children’s education at Brill.
Children learn how to use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly and what to do when something online makes them uncomfortable, worried or unsure.
As children grow, teaching develops to reflect their increasing independence and the changing digital world around them.
Children learn about areas including privacy, passwords and personal information, appropriate communication, online relationships, digital footprints, reliable information and seeking help from a trusted adult.
Our aim is not to make children frightened of technology, but to give them the knowledge and confidence to make sensible decisions when using it.
Creating with Technology
We want children to understand that technology is something they can create with, not simply consume.
Computing provides opportunities for children to design, make, investigate and solve problems using digital tools.
They learn to make purposeful choices, evaluate their work and improve their digital creations.
This connects particularly strongly with the Creativity, Investigation, Processes and Change Big Ideas within Brill Horizons and enables children to apply their learning across different areas of the curriculum.
Computing Across Brill Horizons
Technology has meaningful applications throughout our wider curriculum.
Children may use digital tools to research, record, present, analyse, create and communicate, applying their computing knowledge within different contexts.
However, using a computer in another subject does not automatically constitute Computing.
Dedicated Computing teaching ensures children explicitly develop the subject knowledge, vocabulary and skills they need before applying these confidently elsewhere.
This balance enables technology to enhance learning without replacing the knowledge and experiences at the heart of other curriculum subjects.
An Inclusive Computing Curriculum
Computing is for every child at Brill.
Teaching is carefully structured and modelled, with appropriate adaptations and resources enabling pupils with SEND and additional needs to participate meaningfully.
Children are supported to break complex problems into manageable steps, while those who demonstrate secure understanding are challenged to create increasingly efficient solutions, explain their reasoning and apply their knowledge in unfamiliar contexts.
We want all children to develop the confidence to approach unfamiliar technology and think:
“I can work this out.”
IMPACT
By the end of their Brill journey, we want our children to be confident, creative, critical and responsible digital citizens.
We want children to leave Brill able to:
- understand and apply fundamental principles of computer science;
- think logically and computationally;
- design, create and evaluate algorithms;
- program and debug with increasing independence;
- use technology purposefully and confidently;
- select appropriate digital tools for different tasks;
- create and manipulate digital content;
- understand key aspects of digital systems and networks;
- approach unfamiliar technology with confidence;
- evaluate digital information critically;
- understand how to protect themselves and others online;
- communicate respectfully in digital spaces; and
- make safe and responsible choices when using technology.
Most importantly, we want children to leave Brill understanding that technology is a powerful tool – and that how they choose to use it matters.
We want them to have the knowledge to understand it, the curiosity to explore it, the creativity to make things with it and the judgement to use it wisely.
In a world where technology will continue to change rapidly, we cannot prepare children for every piece of technology they will encounter.
We can prepare them to think, question, adapt and learn.
Be Bold. Be Brave. Be Brill-iant.
