‘Technology is best when it brings people together’ – Matt Mullenweg

Computing Curriculum

At Courtwood Primary School the Computing curriculum is designed to equip our children with the knowledge and skills they require to be able to successfully navigate the academic curriculum, but also those that will enable them to participate in all aspects of modern daily life as active and knowledgeable digital citizens, that will enable them to embrace and utilise new technology in a socially responsible and safe way, in order to flourish. Our laptops, iPads and other IT equipment ensure that children have access to technology that will allow them to develop all aspects of their computing skills and knowledge. Computing is a fun, inspiring, rigorous and practical subject which encourages our children to be innovators and problem-solvers.

We follow the National Curriculum Programme of Study for Computing at KS1 and KS2 and follow the Teach Computing scheme of work. At Courtwood, our Computing curriculum is designed around four key strands which are Computing Systems and Networks; Creating Media; Programming; & Data and Information. These encompass the National Centre for Computing Education’s (NCCE) taxonomy of ten strands which ensure comprehensive coverage of computer science, programming and digital literacy skills at all phases and support development of creativity, resilience, problem-solving and critical thinking skills. By the time they leave Courtwood Primary School, children will have gained key knowledge and skills in the three main areas of the computing curriculum: computer science (programming and understanding how digital systems work), information technology (using computer systems to store, retrieve and send information) and digital literacy (evaluating digital content and using technology safely and respectfully).

The units for key stages 1 and 2 are based on a spiral curriculum. This means that each of the themes is revisited regularly (at least once in each year group), and pupils revisit each theme through a new unit that consolidates and builds on prior learning within that theme, enabling children to build their fluency of practical skills and add to their existing schema of knowledge. Vocabulary is taught explicitly to ensure that children learn both the key contextual topic vocabulary associated with the unit, as well as the academic vocabulary which ensures children can effectively develop skills such as evaluation, problem-solving and analysing. Our Knowledge Organisers set out the key learning for the unit and support children in acquiring key information, technical understanding and vocabulary.

E-Safety is an important part of our curriculum provision and is taught both within the computing curriculum and as part of our pupil’s wider personal development via PSHE lessons and assemblies, which enable pupils to recognise risks to their online and offline safety and wellbeing, as well as the support that is available to them. Wider curriculum subjects are enhanced by giving children opportunities to access programmes such as Times Tables Rockstars, which support and motivate them to improve their learning through online platforms.

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