Our high-quality Computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. We ensure our learners make links with their prior learning and build on from previous experiences to ensure they make strong connections and build a comprehensive picture over time. 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. 

Computing is taught through a range of lessons, including those using hardware, those using software and those which are ‘switched off’. Key themes are revisited across the curriculum, requiring an increasing level of knowledge and vocabulary as skills are built upon. Flashback 4s, mini quizzes and checkpoints are used as a means of securing and assessing key knowledge in each area.

Children are prepared to be safe when using technology through E-safety teaching. This is woven throughout both our Computing and PSHE curriculums to ensure it is regularly revisited and children have a thorough and up to date understanding.