Computing
Computing at Heathmere
Intent
At Heathmere Primary School, our Computing curriculum supports all pupils to develop fundamental life skills in an ever changing, technological world, including an awareness of how to stay safe online. Computing is an integral part of a child’s life throughout school and beyond. Therefore, our curriculum supports our pupils to access and understand the core principles of this subject through an engaging lessons and opportunities that mirror real life contexts.
In September 2023, new statutory guidance, as noted in the ‘Keeping children safe in education 2023 policy’ increased expectations and responsibilities in regards to schools filtering and monitoring systems for Computing. Our Computing curriculum works alongside this policy to ensure that it is a whole school responsibility to manage these systems and block harmful and inappropriate content without impacting high quality teaching and learning.
Our ambition for Computing at Heathmere is to support all pupils in developing a broad range of skills in Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy. This aim supports our curriculum vision: children’s learning is purposeful, empowering them to be ambitious for their future.
Implementation
All pupils from year 1 to year 6 take part in discrete Computing lessons that provide opportunities for them to experience different computer programmes and technology. Throughout the year, our Computing Curriculum provides pupils with appropriate, real-life challenges and experiences to broaden their Computing skill set. The sequencing of Computing curriculum has been carefully mapped out (our Computing progression map can be found below) to empower all children to be ambitious for their future whilst using technology safely and appropriately.
Our Computing curriculum is delivered through quality first teaching by class teachers who foster critical thinking and problem solving skills through thoughtful application. At Heathmere, we use a specialist computing scheme of work called ‘Purple Mash’ that supports class teachers in delivering purposeful and ambitious lessons for all pupils. In the Early Years Foundation Stage, pupils are given the opportunity to use technology in the environment to enhance their learning. Through play, pupils are able to explore mechanical products, discovering how things work and how to communicate these findings. Keeping safe online is also an integral part of the Early Years curriculum. Our Computing curriculum ensures that all pupils will be digitally literate by the time they leave Heathmere Primary School.
Impact
Throughout the school, all pupils show enthusiasm for Computing and a robust awareness of how to stay safe online. They are able to confidently use their digital literacy skills to support them in Computing lessons and beyond, in our ever evolving technological world.
The Curriculum Lead and Subject Leads at Heathmere monitor the impact of the Computing curriculum, ensuring that all pupils successfully learn the curriculum through a range of monitoring arrangements including: curriculum progression and planning reviews, learning walks, books looks, pupil voice. Pupils’ progress in Computing is monitored by class teachers as part of our end of year assessment procedures.
