Computing Subject Leaders: Mrs Rahman

When planning and teaching computing at Wawne Primary School, we believe that Computing is an essential part of the curriculum; a subject that not only stands alone but is woven and should be an integral part of all learning. Computing, in general, is a significant part of everyone’s daily life and children should be at the forefront of new technology, with a thirst for learning what is out there. Our intention is that Computing also supports children’s creativity and cross curricular learning to engage children and enrich their experiences in school. Through the study of Computing, children will be able to develop a wide range of fundamental skills, knowledge and understanding that will actually equip them for the rest of their life. Computers and technology are such a part of everyday life that our children would be at a disadvantage would they not be exposed to a thorough and robust Computing curriculum. Children must be taught in the art form of ‘Computational Thinking’ in order to provide them essential knowledge that will enable them to participate effectively and safely in the digital world beyond our gates.

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. Also to analyse problems to computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems.

We also teach a progression of Computing vocabulary to support children in their understanding.  We use the Teaching Computing curriculum for computing that ensures there is a clear progression of both knowledge and skills across the whole school. Children build upon previous learning as they work their way through the curriculum. Our computing curriculum is interwoven with Education for a Connected World in mind through using resources from Project Evolve that have been carefully incorporated into our lessons to ensure children are fully equipped for digital life. At Wawne Primary School, we give children access to a wide range of good quality resources and provide cross curricular opportunities for children to apply their Computing knowledge and skills. Online safety is taught within each Computing lesson as well as being taught as a unit each year, we also take part in Safer Internet Day each year. Online safety procedures are communicated with all staff and parents.