Orrell Holgate Academy

Intent 

Our computing curriculum aims to develop children’s digital literacy, information technology and computer science skills in order to equip them for an ever-changing technological world. We want our children to be active participants in our increasingly digital society and so we intend to motivate and inspire children through a series of carefully thought out lessons that demonstrate computing progression all the way from the start of their primary school journey to the beginning of their secondary school journey. Our school mission statement: Learning for Life, remains at the core of all we do and our aim is to ensure that we provide those fundamental stepping stones so that children can apply the skills we teach them to an evolving digital landscape throughout their lifetime.  

Implementation  

In Computing, we teach a fully inclusive curriculum that ensures the children become literate in the three content areas of computing; digital literacy, information technology and computer science. 

Our curriculum is delivered through effective quality first teaching. Children have dedicated computing lessons every week and each class is timetabled in to have the laptops available to them during a scheduled timeslot. Computing skills are also taught across other curriculum areas in order to enhance the children’s computing experiences and so they can apply their computing skills and knowledge to different areas of the curriculum. 

In Key Stage 1, the children focus on understanding what algorithms are and how to implement programs on digital devices. They create and debug simple programs as well as using technology safely and respectfully and identifying where to go to for help and support if they have any concerns. 

In Key Stage 2, first and foremost, children build on and recap their prior knowledge from the previous key stage. They expand on their algorithms knowledge by detecting and correcting any errors in programs. Children are encouraged to design, write and debug more complex programs and understand that computer networks can provide multiple services. A vital element taught is using technology safely, respectfully and responsibly. 

Impact 

Our Computing curriculum ensures children at Holgate feel equipped for the world of technology across all phases of the school. They develop an understanding of computer programming, algorithms and how all of this digital content can be handled and retrieved. 

We give children the opportunity to implement and innovate across digital mediums whilst instilling into them the importance of responsible, careful and respectful online usage and directing them to a range of ways to report concerns about content or contact; which is vital for an on-going online world. 

Our children will be able to apply their knowledge and skills to a digital world of tomorrow that doesn’t currently exist today and they will be equipped for a digital world with a lifelong love of learning. 

Computing Long Term Map