At Oak Tree Primary School we want to prepare children for the wider world. Computing is an important part of our curriculum. It is hands on and can breed resilience. It develops problem solving skills, and it opens a student's eyes to the digital world.

The National Curriculum

The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all pupils:

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

Intent

To create an inclusive, inspiring and technologically challenging curriculum, which develops transferable skills in programming, word processing and data analysis, enabling children to be successful and safe in the technological world. 

Implementation

A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with Mathematics, Science, and Design and Technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems.

In our school computing is taught through the 3 core areas: computer science, information technology and digital literacy, ensuring a broad and balanced curriculum.

The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Programming is taught in a progressive way, moving from programmable toys in EYFS to Scratch Jr, Hopscotch and Daisy in KS1 and Scratch, Python and app development in KS2. This learning is done within our topics and once the skills have been developed the enquiry based challenges, which require children to apply the skills have a clear brief and intended user, giving purpose to their learning. 

Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. A knowledge led approach ensures that children have the opportunities to develop topic specific vocabulary and encourages the children to become articulate learners. 

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. One example of this is word processing skills, which are taught explicitly in KS1, whereas in KS2 they are used within lessons from other subject areas (e.g. Literacy) to embed these skills in the curriculum and show the children how they can be used in real situations. 

Children are prepared to be safe when using technology through E-safety teaching. Please see the E-safety section of the website for more information.

Impact

Our knowledge based curriculum, which is broad and balanced, enables children to develop skills in computing which will prepare them for their futures. it provides a solid base for them to further develop their knowledge of coding and digital design and provides them with word processing and data analysis skills which will be useful in high school and their futures.