Rationale

Our computing curriculum is to equip our children with the knowledge of current and future technologies and prepare the children for their future in the world of work. In a rapidly changing world, we feel it is important that the children are aware of new advances in technology and ways in which the curriculum will prepare them to be active participants in a digital world.

We believe that through high quality teaching in computing, our children will have the knowledge they need to be creative and use technology in ways to positively change the world around them. There are 3 strands to our computing curriculum: computer science, digital literacy and information technology. These 3 strands are taught progressively throughout the year groups with the intention of providing children with key skills that they can build on in their future education.

The children have opportunities to see how technology is used throughout the world and how they can get involved. Along with an understanding of the technology that is available, we also focus on problem solving which is key to computing. We believe that by enabling children to problem solve successfully, they become increasingly resilient and able to self-reflect.

Aims

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?

How the subject is taught

Computing is taught in dedicated lessons using the scheme Purple Mash. It is also used to enhance learning across other areas of the curriculum. E-safety is taught as part of the Purple Mash scheme and is also covered in PSHE lessons.

There is clear progression over all key stages.

If you walk into a lesson you will see

• A range of IT equipment being used to plan and carry out topic linked activities.
• Children learning and consolidating specific computing vocabulary 
• High expectations of pupil questioning
• Pupils returning to prior learning both in short recapping activities and revisiting E-Safety during PSHE lessons.
• Children applying developed skills to efficiently use IT  equipment
• Expansion of children’s horizons and aspirations as they learn about IT careers and the developments that have shaped their life

If you would like any further information regarding Computing, please contact Mrs Clare Murray. 

At home...

Your children will receive log in details - these will stay the same throughout their time at Westcliffe Primary School. Children will be able to log onto Purple Mash and access any activities, coding and games they wish. These will all support learning so go ahead and have fun!

If you need support logging on, please contact your child's teacher or the office.