The Computing Curriculum

A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems.

The Computing Curriculum Intent at LCA

Our whole school curriculum places safeguarding of our pupils and PSHE at its heart and this is no different when it comes to our computing curriculum. We strive to deliver a computing curriculum that will equip our children with the knowledge and skills required to be independent and responsible citizens in an ever changing and evolving digital society. This includes making sure they know how to stay safe online and how to manage their own behaviour in a virtual world. It has been designed to build knowledge in small steps in order for children to learn more, remember more and make connections with their prior learning. It will provide progressive teaching of skills from year group to year group and enable children to practice skills, apply their knowledge and solve problems across a range of subjects and areas.

How is this implemented?

Our Computing progression model is broken down into three strands that make up the computing curriculum. These are:

• Computer Science - Knowledge and skills relating to programming, coding, algorithms and computational thinking.
• Information Technology - Knowledge and skills relating to communication, multimedia and data representation and handling.
• Digital Literacy – Knowledge and skills relating to online safety and technology uses.

We recognise that computing is a specialist subject and not all teachers are computing specialists. The NCCE scheme of work enables clear coverage of the computing curriculum whilst also providing support and CPD for less confident teachers to deliver lessons. Where possible, computing lessons from the NCCE are adapted to ensure there are cross-curricular links to the current topic.

Computing lessons are broken down into units and two units are covered each half term. Units are practical and engaging and allow computing lessons to be hands-on. Units cover a broad range of computing components such as coding, spreadsheets, internet and email, databases, communication networks, touch typing, animation and online safety.

Curriculum Impact in Computing

When children leave LCA for the next step in their learning journey they 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).
  • Digital literacy (evaluating digital content and using technology safely and respectfully).
• Recognise and utilise the connections between non-core and core subjects, valuing equally the learning offered by both. Be flexible, creative, responsible and confident users of technology, who are able to choose the best tool to fulfil a task.