Vision: To equip pupils with the confidence and ability to become ‘digitally literate’ preparing them for the rapidly developing and changing digital world. The curriculum is successfully designed to develop the children’s existing knowledge and build on prior skills throughout the years at VPA. 

Children will become aware of how to use technology safely, understand and apply concepts of computer programming and become creative users of ICT.

What we teach: Aligned to the National Curriculum, computing has been developed to include three core strands; Programming, Internet Safety and Digital Creativity. Each year group will build on their prior knowledge whilst working through a spiral curriculum. In EYFS children are given the opportunity to understand the digital world around them through their encounter of digital equipment. In KS1 computing and programming concentrates on sequence, repetition, selection and variables. Algorithms are taught through the use of repetition and sequencing instructions
while using Beebots. Scratch Jr is used for children to experience selection and variables. This gives children the experience to debug simple programs. In KS2 the PRIMM (predict, run, investigate, modify and make) model is used for programming. Children experience how to design, debug and solve problems through Scratch. Children also cover data storage, collection, combining multimedia and internet safety throughout the years at VPA.

What learning looks like: Computing is delivered by class teachers. New concepts are introduced while recapping on previous learning throughout the years. Complex terms and new vocabulary is introduced and children are given the declarative knowledge which they will then apply through project-based learning activities. This will help consolidate their knowledge and understanding. 

Added extras: Many challenge outcomes across the school involve an element of digital creativity to show off their skills applied during their learning.
Year 1- Far Far Away = Children will use artwork, writing and photos taken to showcase their learning.
Year 3 – Around the world in 80 eats = Children will create a short iMovie trailer to demonstrate their DT and geography work. Children will also publish their digitally created food menu.
Year 4 – Bolts and Bones = Children will present their data collected in relation to health and fitness at their exhibition. They will also use multimedia to create and showcase a fitness video.
Year 5 – Space Infinity = Children will crate a virtual experience for parents and children to experience space.
Year 6- Conflicts and causes = Children will create a series of short episodes to act out or perform various aspects of conflicts learned about.

On-line Safety:

Through our computing curriculum we aim to ensure that pupils become digitally literate so that they can use technology safely and respectfully. This includes keeping personal information private and knowing where to go for help and support when they have concerns about inappropriate content or contact through the internet.

During the autumn term we focus very explicitly on Online Safety, and this covers how to keep safe when using the internet and what a pupil must do if they see material they know is inappropriate or that they are uncomfortable with. In addition, children receive regular updates and reminders throughout the year and we also take part in the national Safer Internet Day each February.

 Please see our section on On-line safety under our Parents section for more information.

Subject Overview Computing and ICT

Subject skills mapping document