To enrich our school website’s computing section, we have integrated information regarding our commitment to building cultural capital and the hands-on lessons where our children apply their skills.

Our Intent: Excellence in a Digital World

We want our pupils to become digitally literate, enabling them to express themselves and develop creative ideas through information and communication technology. Because technology is everywhere, we model and educate our pupils on how to use it positively, responsibly, and safely. Our knowledge-rich curriculum is balanced with opportunities for pupils to apply their learning creatively, helping them become skilful computer scientists.

Hands-On Computing Lessons

Our curriculum is delivered through a spiral model that builds knowledge year-on-year, often through collaborative, workshop-style sessions.

• Early Years Foundations: Children participate in weekly group sessions designed to teach them how to use software like 2simple. These workshops help them develop an awareness of selecting and using icons through play.
• Key Stage 1 (Years 1–2): We use the "semantic wave" approach. Children start with familiar, concrete experiences—like playground routes or classroom routines—to understand algorithms before moving to digital tools like Bee-Bots and ScratchJr.
• Key Stage 2 (Years 3–6): Pupils engage in creative workshops focusing on stop-frame animation, audio production, video editing, and 3D modelling. These sessions encourage a collaborative environment where pupils learn to challenge themselves and "debug" problems with resilience.

Building Cultural Capital

We believe in the importance of dismantling stereotypes and providing our children with a rich "cultural capital" from the very beginning of their education. Starting in Year 1, we introduce children to diverse computing pioneers through story-based learning to inspire their own digital journeys:

• Ada Lovelace: Celebrated as the first computer programmer, showcasing imagination and creativity.
• Gladys West: A key figure in the creation of GPS, linking technology to maps and real-world journeys.
• Katherine Johnson: A NASA mathematician whose work connects to counting, patterns, and complex problem-solving.
• Radia Perlman: Often called the “Mother of the Internet” for her work in helping computers communicate with one another.
• Tim Berners-Lee: The inventor of the World Wide Web, helping children understand how we find and share information online.

Online Safety & Digital Citizenship

Online safety is not a standalone lesson but is embedded into every lesson. We use the Common Sense Online framework to teach:

• Privacy & Security: Understanding digital footprints and keeping personal information private.
• Media Literacy: Learning to evaluate online information and recognise the influence of search engines and sponsored content.
• Responsible Interaction: Practicing kind communication and understanding copyright when using images, music, or 3D assets.

 

Parents can get advice about Online Safety from Common Sense Media editors.

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/online-safety

 

The Impact on Our Pupils

Our goal is for pupils to leave our school as competent and adaptable ‘Computational Thinkers’. By taking part in our computing curriculum, children will:

• Be enthusiastic and confident users of technology to accomplish a wide variety of goals.
• Apply British values such as mutual respect and liberty, alongside our school values of empathy and curiosity, when using digital systems.
• Transition to secondary school with a secure knowledge of digital systems and a keen interest in continued learning.