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The Computing Curriculum

Our Computing Subject Leader is Mrs L Gorley.

Intent

Our computing curriculum aims to give our pupils the life-skills that will enable them to embrace and utilise new technology in a socially responsible and safe way in order to flourish. We want our pupils to be able to operate in the 21st century workplace and we want them to know the career opportunities that will be open to them if they study computing. We want children to become autonomous, independent users of computing technologies, gaining confidence and enjoyment from their activities. We want the use of technology to support learning across the entire curriculum and to ensure that our curriculum is accessible to every child. Not only do we want them to be digitally literate and competent end-users of technology but through our computer science lessons we want them to develop creativity, resilience and problem-solving and critical thinking skills. ‘Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate ‘ (The National Curriculum)

Implementation

Computing is taught using a blocked curriculum approach ensuring a balanced coverage of computer science, information technology and digital literacy. This ensures children are able to develop depth in their knowledge and skills over the duration of each of their computing topics. Computing is planned using schemes of work that have been developed using the national curriculum. Planning provides teachers with the confidence to deliver a computing curriculum from EYFS to Year 6, in which areas of focus are often richly linked to engaging contexts in other subjects and topics. Knowledge and skills are mapped across each year group to ensure systematic progression. We use PC computers, laptops and IPads alongside a range of other hardware to ensure that all year groups have the opportunity to use a range of devices and programs for many purposes across the wider curriculum, as well as in discrete computing lessons. The computing curriculum is also enhanced by local resources enabling the children access to specialist equipment. Employing cross-curricular links motivates pupils and supports them to make connections and remember the steps they have been taught.

Impact

In KS1 we build children’s basic understanding of being safe when using technology. They are introduced to algorithms through unplugged activities and use of computer programs and apps to develop their understanding of block coding. They develop their understanding of staying safe online and use the internet to gather information. Within KS2, children use the internet to find a range of information and use programs to develop their digital literacy. Deepening their understanding of block coding, children use a range of devices to test and debug algorithms.

Below is an overview of the computing curriculum, and what each year group is covering.

Useful Links

Here are a variety of websites for you to try at home, to see what we are covering in school.