Computing

At St Philip’s we recognise the importance of digital technology in the lives of children today. We develop firm foundations for using technology in the Early Years curriculum and build on this through our Computing Curriculum in Key Stages 1 and 2.

We use the National Curriculum and the National Centre of Computing Education (NCCE) Teach Computing Curriculum as a starting point to plan inspiring and engaging Computing lessons. We strive to teach the children the skills and knowledge they need to become creative, digitally literate thinkers. Our curriculum is centred around key concepts and vocabulary, which provides opportunities to build a shared and consistent understanding. Units are organised into a spiral curriculum to ensure themes are revisited regularly as pupils move through the school. Our 4 key strands are: Computing systems and networks; Data and information; Creating media and Programming. The children’s digital literacy is also embedded further by using the skills learnt in Computing lessons in their learning across the wider curriculum, for example researching additional facts for non-chronological reports in Year 4. 

Keeping ourselves safe online is fundamental in our digital world. We ensure that e-safety is taught explicitly as well as being continuously embedded in all areas of school life. 

Within their lessons, children have access to laptops and iPads. These devices build into the children’s understanding of Computing and help to support their Knowledge and Skills. By working with these different elements, the children will become digitally literate individuals with a solid foundation in which they can continue to develop their computing skills as they move into the next stage of their education.