"In a world that's increasingly run on technology, computer science is a liberal art that every student should be exposed to, regardless of their path in life."

- Hadi Partovi

At Heartwood Primary School, we aim to prepare our learners for their future by giving them the opportunities to gain knowledge and develop skills that will equip them for an ever changing digital world. Knowledge and understanding of computing is of increasing importance for children’s future both at home and for employment. Our Computing curriculum focuses on a progression of skills in digital literacy, computer science, information technology and online safety based on a model by the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE). This ensures that children become competent in safely using, as well as understanding, technology. These strands are revisited repeatedly through a range of themes during children’s time in school to ensure the learning is embedded and skills are successfully developed.

Our intention is that Computing also supports children’s creativity and cross curricular learning to engage children and enrich their experiences in school. Children will also learn about key figures in the technical world and their impact on how we use technology today. 

We follow the Teach Computing curriculum (from NCCE) for the main parts of teaching the Computing curriculum along with other programmes and resources to provide rich and varied opportunities to apply the knowledge they have acquired.

How do we teach computing?

Our whole curriculum is shaped by our school vision of making a difference. We teach using the Teach Computing scheme of work, supported by a clear skills and knowledge progression. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children. As part of information technology, children learn to use and express themselves and develop their ideas through computing for example writing and presenting as well as exploring art and design using multimedia. Within digital literacy, children develop practical skills in the safe use of computing and the ability to apply these skills to solving relevant, worthwhile problems for example understanding safe use of internet, networks and email. In computer science we teach children to understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation. Also to analyse problems to computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems. We also teach a progression of Computing vocabulary to support children in their understanding. At Heartwood Primary, we give children access to a wide range of good quality resources and provide cross curricular opportunities for children to apply their Computing knowledge and skills. Online safety is taught both within Computing lesson and Life Skills lessons. Online safety procedures are communicated with all staff and parents. Our computing curriculum is further enriched by trips and experience days to engage children in first had, hands on experiences outside the classroom to create lasting memories for children to hook new learning onto. 

Technical Vocabulary 

Vocabulary as in all subjects is essential for success in computing, although some of it very complex and new. Please see our glossary below for computing vocabulary and terms to know more. 

Online Safety

In simple terms, online safety refers to the act of staying safe online. It is also commonly known as internet safety, e-safety and cyber safety. It encompasses all technological devices which have access to the internet from PCs and laptops to smartphones and tablets. 

We must give our children the declarative and procedure knowledge and vocabulary to keep themselves safe online.

At Heartwood online safety is: 

• Taught as part of computing lessons,
• Taught within each Computing session and when using technology,
• Taught on the first Monday of every half term in Life Skills (see below) this will respond to current issues and build on the prior learning,
• Taught in immediate response to any media, parent, pupil disclosures and relevant concerns ie. Squid Game 
• Taught through online safety book spine,

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

Although the new EYFS curriculum does not specifically include computing and technology any more we have built it into our curriculum at Heartwood to ensure that our children are coming into Year 1 prepared to thrive in comporting. Computing in the EYFS is delivered through the Kapow scheme of work in Reception.

The Nicholas Hamond Academy

Our curriculum is designed to prepare the children for the next stages in their education in each subject. Our curriculum map plans to support the declarative and procedural knowledge needed for the children to access and thrive in computer science in KS3

TNHA ICT Curriculum Page