Context

Computers are now an integral part of everyday life. We rely on them to run our industry; we use them for entertainment and communication purposes and we also trust them to keep us safe by aiding our police and security services. Teaching children to use computers equips them for the skills that they need to succeed in the future, whilst also enabling them to have an active role in our ever-changing world.

St Elisabeth’s CE is located within the top 25% of deprived areas in England, it is essential that we equip our children with a rich and deep understanding of the subject.

Intent

In Computing at St Elisabeth's CE Primary, we provide a high-quality curriculum that equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. We believe that it is an essential part of the curriculum and has deep links with maths, science and design and technology. Through the study of computing, children will be able to develop a wide range of fundamental skills, knowledge and understanding that will equip them to navigate the digital world safely. We strive to ensure children are literate by providing a wealth of learning opportunities within the computing lesson and across other curriculum subjects.

Consequently, the children will have the opportunity to become increasingly proficient and confident at:

• Using the internet safely
• Coding
• Using spreadsheets
• Touch typing
• Animation
• Emailing

Implementation

At St Elisabeth's CE Primary, computing is implemented by ensuring every class has timetabled opportunities to use the laptops and iPads for discrete computing lessons and also across the curriculum. Each class has access to interactive whiteboards and teaching is delivered using this technology. We encourage staff to deliver lessons that prepare children for a future where computers will be an essential part of 21st century living and to enhance their employment prospects.

We utilise the Purple Mash scheme of work to support our planning and provide engaging and pioneering lessons. In our EYFS curriculum, computing is covered in the ‘Technology’ section of Understanding the World and is delivered through continuous provision. Children in nursery and reception have the opportunity to play games, draw pictures, move mechanical objects and use technology to deepen their own understanding of computing.

Impact

The impact of this computing curriculum is that children will be digitally literate, their lives will be enriched and they will be inspired to further explore the world of computing and express themselves and develop their ideas through information and technology as an active participant of a digital world. Children are assessed each term in line with all other non-core subjects. Staff evidence this through the Purple Mash online portal where children’s work is saved. In EYFS, children’s online observations are used to make judgements on the broad phase of development the children are working within. Progress of children is tracked throughout their time at St Elisabeth's CE Primary.