Why do learners at The Nethersole Academy need to study Computing?

Many aspects of the modern world are run by technology. We see it in every aspect of our lives: from supermarket self-scanners to QR codes and social media. The internet is constantly at our fingertips. Many of the pupils from our school family are digital connoisseurs as they have constant access to technology and the Internet. It is likely that many of our children’s future careers are going to be heavily influenced and involved in technology.

With the many risks posed with the ever-changing developments within online communication, we need to ensure that our pupils keep themselves safe as they use social media and collaborative gaming. By studying computational thinking through programming, pupils learn how to recognise problems and approach them in a controlled and systematic way.

At Nethersole, we use the 'Purple Mash' computing curriculum. Purple Mash Computing is a comprehensive set of resources aligned to the National Curricula for Computing, Technology and Digital Competence. The Scheme of Work is intended to facilitate teachers in achieving the very best outcomes for children. It exposes children to a wide variety of digital tools, technological skills, and innovations. Find out mor eusibng the links below.
 

What are the aims for the Computing curriculum? (i.e. what do we want learners to be able to know and do by the time they leave Nethersole Academy?)

As our children leave Nethersole Academy, we want to be confident that children are computer and technologically literate. We want our children to be able to:

• problem solve and write their own programs through writing and debugging algorithms

• use the internet safely and securely both as a tool for communication and research.

• use a variety of computer programs to publish their ideas to illustrate their understanding

• to create, edit and publish music and film using a variety of computing multimedia.

• know that data can be presented in different ways and manipulated within an evaluation.

• know the many risks involved in use of the internet,

• be digital ambassadors – not only knowing how to keep themselves safe online, but also others within their community.