Our Intent
At St. Teresa’s we are aware that children need to be able to participate effectively and safely in an expanding and constantly developing technologically rich world. Our aim is to develop the digital literacy of our children so they can engage safely and ethically with digital media and future, key technologies. We aim to teach the knowledge and skills that will enable children to make sense of, and contribute to, the digital world both in school and outside.
By the end of Key Stage 2, our objective is for pupils to:
- have a secure understanding of, and be able to apply, fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation;
- be able to analyse problems in computational terms, and have had repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems;
- be able to evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems; and
- be responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
Our Approach
At the start of each academic year, all pupils are taught a series of discrete online safety and digital citizenship sessions utilising the comprehensive resources put together by Common Sense. Through the Rising Stars Switched on Computing scheme of work, we provide an inventive and inspiring, project-centred computing curriculum designed for Early Years up to Year 6. The curriculum comprises six units covering programming, computational thinking, creativity, computer networks, communication and productivity and weaves in online safety throughout. Weekly slots are allocated to each year group for Computing as well as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) week in the Summer term for cross-curricular activities to further enhance the curriculum. We are very well resourced with a large suite of (over 150 new) Chromebooks operating G Suite for use across the school.
First Lego League
Children in Year 1 are able to attend our First Lego League after-school club. First Lego League is a global STEM program that has been inspiring children of all ages for 30 years. It encourages children to investigate a real-world theme, develop teamwork, design and programming skills – and have fun, using Lego.