Computing

At Martinshaw Primary School we want to inspire pupils’ interest in and passion for computing and technology. In the future, most (if not all) of our pupils are likely to secure jobs that involve the use of computing and technology; we want to enable them to drive their generation forward in an ever-changing technological world.

Through our varied and progressive computing curriculum, pupils will build the knowledge and skills that they need to become competent computational thinkers and active, responsible participants in the digital world. Within our curriculum, every year groups learn from units within the same six strands; computing systems & networks, creating media – texts and images, creating media – sound & motion, data and information, programming A and programming B. This ‘Spiral Curriculum’ approach allows us to provide deepening layers of complexity and challenge, as our pupils progress through the school.

Our Computing Curriculum has strong links to Science, Mathematics and Design and Technology, with core taught Computing units being reinforced and retrieved continuously through each pupil’s journey through school.  This approach ensures that pupils leave the school as digitally literate, safe and active participants in the digital world – well prepared for future employment.

The additional cross-curricular projects that teachers plan, will enable pupils to consolidate and apply the knowledge and skills that they have gained. This approach will provide pupils with a good understanding of complex computational concepts and enable them to use technology creatively, to express themselves and as a tool for learning.

The Teach Computing Curriculum acknowledges that physical computing plays an important role in modern pedagogical approaches in computing, both as a tool to engage pupils and as a strategy to develop pupils’ understanding in more creative ways. Additionally, physical computing supports and engages a diverse range of pupils in tangible and challenging tasks.

In an ever-increasingly technological world, we recognise the risks for our pupils as they engage in online activities and strive to provide them with the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe online. We take the online safety of our pupils extremely seriously.