Whingate Primary School

Computing

Intent 

At Whingate our intention is to enable children to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information through computing.  We wish to provide a high-quality education in computing and develop a love of the subject to prepare them for the future world of work.  

With regards to online safety, we intend our children to recognise what information is personal to them, and who, when and where it is safe to share it. We want our pupils to understand that there is always a choice with using technology and as a school we utilise technology to model positive use. We recognise that the best prevention for a lot of issues we currently see with technology/social media is through education.  

We want children to know more, remember more and understand more in computing so that they leave primary school computer literate, enabling them to be active participants in a digital world. We do this by giving them. Computing skills are a major factor in enabling children to be confident, creative and independent learners and it is our intention that children have every opportunity available to allow them to achieve this. 

Implementation 

At Whingate our children have access to the hardware (Chromebooks, iPads, programmable equipment) and software that they need to develop knowledge and skills of digital systems and their applications. We encourage a cross-curricular approach where computing can be used practically to support other subjects (through research, presenting data, recording etc).  

To enable all children to access the range of digital devices we have, children have additional core skills lessons in line with the progression of skills document. This is to allow children to become effective users of both software and hardware through the development of mouse and keyboard skills, and to provide increasing challenge for children as they progress through school. 

In addition, usually at the beginning of the year, specific lessons related to online safety, GDPR and personal information are taught to the children. GDPR is a key priority with the children being taught what we mean by personal information, who should have access to it and how to keep it safe. This continues to be revisited each time the children access digital devices. 

Impact 

At Whingate our children will be confident users of technology, able to use it to accomplish a wide variety of goals, both at home and in school. Children will have developed the skills, knowledge and understanding to help them access and use a range of technology in a safe and creative way. 

Children will have a secure and comprehensive knowledge of the implications of technology and digital systems. This is important in a society where technologies and trends are rapidly evolving. Their skills will not only allow them to meet the requirements of the National Curriculum but to also enjoy using technology safely. 

CLICK BELOW FOR THE COMPUTING PROGRESSION OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS DOCUMENT...