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Wessex Gardens Primary & Nursery School

Wessex Gardens Primary & Nursery School

Computing

"A high-quality computing education equips children to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world, fostering skills that are essential in the digital age."

National Curriculum for Computing, Department for Education (DfE)

Intent

At Wessex Gardens, our computing curriculum aims to equip pupils with the essential skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a digital world. We strive to ensure that every child can confidently use technology for a range of purposes, from problem-solving and creativity to research and communication. Our curriculum fosters a deep understanding of computing concepts and emphasises safe, responsible, and effective use of digital resources. By focusing on programming, digital literacy, and data handling, we aim to develop pupils’ computational thinking, enabling them to become responsible, creative, and confident digital citizens.

Impact

By the end of their primary education at Wessex Gardens, pupils will:

  • Demonstrate competence in using a wide variety of digital tools for both learning and creativity.
  • Understand and apply the principles of computer science, including algorithms, coding, and programming.
  • Be able to safely and responsibly navigate the digital world, showing awareness of online safety and digital ethics.
  • Develop problem-solving skills and logical thinking through programming and digital projects.
  • Have the ability to evaluate digital content critically and use technology for research, communication, and collaboration.
  • Transfer their learning across subjects, integrating technology into their work in innovative ways.
  • Become confident users of technology, with a foundation for further study in computing at Key Stage 3 and beyond.

Implementation

 

Teach Computing support for ITT providers and their trainees - NASBTT

We follow the Teach Computing Curriculum, which has been developed in collaboration with the National Centre for Computing Education and the Department for Education (DfE). The curriculum is structured as a spiral model, where key themes are revisited regularly across all year groups. This ensures that pupils consolidate their knowledge and skills year-on-year, reinforcing prior learning and building new concepts on a solid foundation.

The curriculum is delivered through structured units that span the three main strands of computing:

  1. Computer Science (Programming and Algorithms):
    Pupils develop an understanding of how computers work and how to program them to perform specific tasks. They learn to design, write, and debug simple programs, gaining the skills needed to create digital solutions. Concepts like sequences, loops, and conditional statements are introduced progressively across year groups.

  2. Information Technology (Digital Literacy):
    Pupils learn to use technology effectively for a variety of purposes, including research, communication, and creative projects. They explore how to use software and digital tools to present information, solve problems, and collaborate with others.

  3. Digital Literacy and Online Safety:
    In this strand, pupils learn how to stay safe online and use technology responsibly. They develop an understanding of privacy, security, and the ethical use of information, and are encouraged to apply these principles in their digital interactions.

The curriculum is designed to be taught through a series of units that are revisited across different year groups. Each theme is taught at least once a year, ensuring pupils continue to build on their prior knowledge and deepen their understanding. However, the units do not have to be taught in order, except for programming units, as these concepts often rely on skills learned in earlier units.

Units within the Teach Computing Curriculum include:

  • Key Stage 1: Focuses on basic computing skills, such as understanding how computers work, simple programming concepts, using digital tools, and online safety.
  • Key Stage 2: Expands to include more complex topics, such as creating algorithms, writing code, digital media creation, databases, and improving online safety awareness.

Our curriculum ensures progression across key stages, so by the end of Key Stage 2, pupils are equipped with a solid foundation in computing, ready for further learning at secondary school and beyond.

Curriculum Structure:

  • Programming: From simple algorithms and instructions in Key Stage 1 to more complex coding and app development in Key Stage 2, programming is revisited and built upon each year. It forms a core part of the curriculum, ensuring pupils develop strong computational thinking skills.

  • Digital Literacy: This strand focuses on the practical and creative use of technology. Pupils learn how to use word processors, presentation software, and digital media tools, as well as how to communicate and collaborate online effectively.

  • Online Safety: A continuous thread throughout the curriculum, online safety is a priority at every stage. Pupils are taught the importance of staying safe, maintaining privacy, and behaving responsibly online. They explore real-world scenarios to understand the consequences of online actions and how to protect themselves and others.

By following this structured approach, we ensure that pupils not only gain technical skills but also understand the broader context in which technology is used, preparing them for a future where digital literacy is essential.