Computing

At Starbeck Primary Academy, we aim to prepare our learners for their future by giving them the opportunities to gain knowledge and develop skills that will equip them for an everchanging digital world. Knowledge and understanding of ICT is of increasing importance for children’s future both at home and for employment.

Our Computing curriculum focuses on a progression of skills in digital literacy, computer science, information technology and online safety to ensure that children become competent in safely using, as well as understanding, technology. These strands are revisited repeatedly through a range of themes to ensure the learning is embedded and skills are successfully developed. Our intention is that Computing also supports children’s creativity and cross curricular learning to engage children and enrich their experiences in school.

Aims and Values

Our aims of include, inspire and achieve enable pupils to be motivated life-long learners who develop creativity and vision. They are enthusiastic learners who enjoy being creative and expressing themselves through all aspects of the curriculum.

Implementation

We teach the National Curriculum, supported by a clear skills and knowledge progression, through the Purple Mash online Scheme of Work. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children. To ensure a broad range of skills and understanding, Computing is taught across three main strands: digital literacy, computer science and Information Technology. As part of Information Technology, children learn to use and express themselves and develop their ideas through ICT; for example writing and presenting as well as exploring art and design using multimedia. Within digital literacy, children develop practical skills in the safe use of ICT and the ability to apply these skills to solving relevant, worthwhile problems for example understanding safe use of internet, networks and email. In computer science we teach children to understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation. We also teach a progression of Computing vocabulary to support children in their understanding. We give children access to a wide range of good quality and up to date hardware resources, including laptops and iPads and provide cross curricular opportunities for children to apply their Computing knowledge and skills. Online safety is taught and reinforced regularly throughout the year as well as being taught as a unit each year. Online safety procedures are communicated with all staff and parents.