Computing
At Westerton Primary Academy, we value Computing as an important life skill as it equips future generations with the necessary skills for adult life within the ever-changing technological environment we live in. Through teaching Computing as both a standalone subject, as well as integrated into a wide range of other subjects, we equip children to participate in a world where work and leisure activities can be increasingly transformed by technology. At Westerton, we have chosen to use the published scheme ‘Kapow Primary’ as this offers full coverage of the Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 Computing National Curriculum with content further broken down into three areas:
Digital Literacy and Online Safety:
Children will be taught to develop ICT skills that can be thoughtfully applied in a range of different situations, giving children increased independence in the choices they make over which technology to use to help them reach an intended outcome. As they progress through KS1 and KS2, children will become increasingly confident in the application of their digital skills, by becoming efficient and effective communicators, collaborators and analysts, showing imagination and creativity in their use of ICT in different aspects of their learning and life beyond school.
Online safety is another fundamental part of Computing. We teach children the benefits, but also safety issues, relating to the use of the Internet. E-safety is covered with pupils regularly throughout the year, linking to each computing topic, and additional reminders are delivered periodically throughout the year.
Computer Science:
Progressively from KS1, children will be taught how different systems, that handle electronically retrievable information, ‘think’ and how they can program these systems to reach a desired goal. Teaching computational thinking has many advantages for children, not only in the ICT world, but also in everyday life because it helps children to recognise that some tasks, which may seem very difficult at first, are very manageable when broken down into smaller steps. Children will have the opportunity to gain experience using different hardware: Bee-Bots, Micro-bits, iPads, data loggers, keyboard and mouse.
Information Technology:
All pupils will engage in a weekly 45-minute discrete Computing lesson where they will familiarise themselves with a variety of systems and their components that handle electronically retrievable information. In addition, they will gain experience in using different software: word processing, emails, spreadsheets, the use of databases, coding programs, graphics programs and a range of other software and applications. The children will be given the opportunity to explore how technology is used beyond school and be able to apply their computing knowledge to real life situations. As well as this, Computing opportunities are integrated into a wide range of other subjects through the use of iPads, classroom desktop computers and Clever Touch screens.
After the implementation of the Computing curriculum, children at Westerton Primary Academy will be digitally literate and able to join the rest of the world on its digital platform. They will be equipped, not only with the skills and knowledge to use technology effectively and for their own benefit, but more importantly – they will be able to use this safely.
