Intent

At St Wilfrid’s our computing curriculum aims to provide the children with the skills and knowledge to use technology safely, positively and effectively in an ever changing digital world. We want to equip our children with the ability to use technology confidently and in a considered way at all times, whether that is for work or leisure. We understand the future opportunities that a high quality computing education can provide to our pupils, and our curriculum will give them a broad, deep understanding of computing and how it links to their lives. It offers a range of opportunities for consolidation, challenge and variety whilst also being engaging. This curriculum allows our children to apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, information technology and digital literacy whilst developing a firm grasp of the basics. The children will develop analytical problem-solving skills and learn to evaluate and apply information technology effectively combining both knowledge and skills. It will also enable them to become responsible, competent, resilience, independent, confident and creative users of information technology by the time that they leave our school which they can continue to build on into the future.

Implementation

Our curriculum is adapted from the ‘Teach Computing’ scheme of work which provides an innovative progression framework, covering the National Curriculum, where computing content (concepts, knowledge, skills and objectives) are organised into interconnected networks called learning graphs.  

Through the sequence of lessons, we intend to inspire pupils to develop a love of the digital world, see its place in their future and give teachers’ confidence. Our lessons help children to build on prior knowledge at the same time as introducing new skills and challenges, embedding some of these skills across other key areas of the curriculum. Across the school children will develop their knowledge, understanding and skills in 4 key areas: Computing systems and networks, creating media, programming and data and information following a spiral curriculum.  Lesson plans and end of unit assessment enable staff to feel confident in the progression of skills and knowledge and that outcomes have been met, including embedding the teaching of core vocabulary. 

E-Safety and digital citizenship

A key part of implementing our computing curriculum is to ensure that safety of our pupils is paramount. We take online safety very seriously and we aim to give children the necessary skills to keep themselves and others safe online. Children have a right to enjoy childhood online, to access safe online spaces and to benefit from all the opportunities that a connected world can bring them, appropriate to their age and stage.  Regular opportunities are taken throughout the year to focus and highlight this to pupils including Anti-bullying week, Safer Internet Day, Ten:Ten (RSHE curriculum), within lessons and with the support of external visitors. 

Impact

We recognise that technology plays a major role in young people’s lives and will continue to do so far beyond the school environment. We encourage children to discuss, reflect and appreciate the impact that Computing has on their learning, development, wellbeing and health.  Our children will be prepared for the next stage in their lives, knowing how to be a responsible user of technology in the wider world and most importantly, know where to seek support. Pupils will confidently transfer their knowledge and skills to other areas of the curriculum and evaluate the impact of their choices on the outcomes they produce.  

The way pupils showcase, share, celebrate and publish their work will best show the impact of our curriculum. We look for positive impact through observing learning regularly, early intervention where necessary and reviewing pupil’s digital skills through using a range of tools. Progress of our Computing curriculum is measured through outcomes and the record of coverage through our curriculum skills grids. Children’s work is showcased in digital folders online, using photos of through recording in ‘Foundation Subject’ books.