Computing

At Woodlands Primary School we follow the Computing Curriculum that is specified in the National Curriculum 2014. We have also incorporated the Education for a Connected World (2020) material, which is a framework to equip children and young people for a digital life.

Our computing curriculum is spilt into three aspects.

These are:

Computer Science – the core of computing where pupils are taught how digital systems work and how to use this knowledge to programme. Pupils learn the principles of computation and information.
Information Technology – the application of using their computer science knowledge to create programs, systems and content.
Digital Literacy – to use and develop their ideas through IT; use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; and understand computer networks including the internet. This will enable them to become active members of the future workforce.

Examples of children’s computing:

Each term, we focus on one aspect of the computing curriculum. At Woodlands, we strive to achieve a cross curricular approach teaching computing skills in a variety of ways to inspire all aspects of the computing curriculum. This is to allow teaching of new skills to be linked to previous learning, other topics and in real life contexts. As these three strands are of equal importance. To help us facilitate the children’s learning we subscribe to PurpleMash as well as Education City, we have also utilised the free resources obtained from NCCE. Furthermore, each year group has a set 16 laptops to help and support their learning.

Here at Woodlands, we recognise that all classes have children with widely differing computing abilities. This is especially true when some children have access to equipment at home, while others do not. We provide suitable learning opportunities for all children by matching the challenge of the task to the ability and experience of the child e.g. Children that are MA and have greater experiences work in mixed ability groups to support their peers.

By the time children leave Woodlands, we strive to enable our children to become respectful digital citizens and for them to develop their digital literacy and skills to be able to succeed in the modern world as well as to give them the skills that they will need in later life. For our children, to become computer literate, giving them the digital skills they will need to be a lifelong learner in the technological age.

Furthermore, we want to ensure that our children are safe when they are online. That they understand the dangers of online content, understanding and knowing ways to keep themselves safe and what to do and who to tell when they feel unsafe. Moreover, that they understand the impact of these online dangers on both their mental and physical health and know where to go when they need help.

Below are examples of the texts used to support the children’s understanding of computing and keeping safe online

Our curriculum is carefully designed to ensure key knowledge and skills progress in a logical and sequenced way, thus enabling pupils to revisit previously taught content and to build upon it year on year. We use carefully structured progression documents to ensure that substantive and disciplinary knowledge and skills are clearly outlined and sequenced, thus enabling the children to know and remember more, as they move through school.