Computing Curriculum Information

At St. Mary’s Infant School, we provide a high-quality Computing curriculum designed to equip children with essential digital skills, knowledge, and understanding to thrive in an increasingly technological world. Our structured and well-resourced computing curriculum ensures that all pupils develop as responsible and capable computer users.

Our Computing curriculum is structured around three core elements:

1. Computer Science

●     Understanding how digital systems work and are designed and programmed.

●     Learning the fundamental principles of information and computation.

2. Information Technology

● Creating and applying digital systems purposefully to develop products and solutions.

3. Digital Literacy

●     Developing the ability to access, use, and express oneself using digital technology. 

●     Understanding the impact of technology on individuals and society.

Aims of the Computing Curriculum 

Our goal is to empower all children to become confident, creative, and responsible computer users. At St. Mary’s, we ensure that children: 

●     Communicate effectively and safely using technology.

●     Have access to quality hardware and software.

●     Receive structured and progressive teaching to develop key computing skills.

●     Engage in learning opportunities that build digital fluency and understanding.

Curriculum Structure

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

●     Broad, play-based experience of computing in a range of learning contexts.

●     Role play areas include technological equipment reflecting real-life experiences.

●     Opportunities to interact with and lessons taught around use of:

○ Chromebooks

○ Tablet computers

○ Smartboards

○ Beebots

○ Simple programming software

●     Focus on developing confidence, control, and language skills.

Key Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2)

●     One computing lesson per week.

●     Computing lessons informed by units of work from Purple Mash and Discovery Education.

●     Each child has their own workspace within these platforms for storing work.

●     Learning is supplemented with materials from CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection).

●     Children apply computing skills across the curriculum to reinforce understanding.

Learning sequences are carefully planned to:

●     Provide clear progression in skills and knowledge.

●     Build upon prior learning.

●     Include opportunities for challenge and accelerated progress.

Learning Objectives

Through the computing curriculum at St. Mary’s, children will:

✅ Use a variety of technologies.

✅ Engage with a variety of software.

✅ Develop and apply key computing vocabulary.

✅ Understand how to:

●     Program and debug simple programs.

●     Predict outcomes in programming.

●     Save and retrieve digital content.

●     Identify and discuss uses of information technology at home, school, and the wider world.

✅ Stay safe online by:

●     Demonstrating respect toward others.

●     Knowing whom to speak to if they feel uncomfortable.

●     Engaging with Safer Internet Day activities annually.

✅ Use technology for a purpose:

●     Complete tasks effectively using different technologies.

●     Engage with learning through the school’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Assessment and Progression

EYFS

●     Baseline assessment on entry to school.

●     Ongoing teacher observations to track progress.

●     Verbal feedback and encouragement provided regularly.

Key Stage 1

●     Tracking of individual progress using unit trackers.

●     Regular teacher observations and participation monitoring.

●     Feedback provided to help address misconceptions and support rapid progress.

●     Additional challenges provided to ensure inclusivity and stretch learning.

●     Retrieval of previous learning is embedded to strengthen long-term memory.

E-Safety

●     E-Safety Rules are sent home at the start of each academic year.

●     Parents, carers, pupils and staff are required to sign the E-Safety Agreement.

●     Rules are displayed in classrooms and throughout the school.

●     Participation in Safer Internet Day each year to explore online safety issues.

Home Learning and Engagement

●     Children have home access to the school’s VLE, where teachers provide activities to reinforce classroom learning.

●     Parents are encouraged to engage with their child's computing learning at home.

●     Parents are signposted to additional online safety resources from our school website.

External Expertise and Enrichment

●     Guest speakers are invited to share expertise on computing and online safety.

●     Recent speaker: Kerry Rusk from the Breck Foundation.

Security and Maintenance

●     The Computing Technician is responsible for: ○ Regularly updating antivirus software.

○ Monitoring network security and infrastructure.

○ Addressing hardware or software faults promptly.

●     Computing Code of Conduct signed by staff and students.

●     Children taught to report uncomfortable experiences when using technology.

●     Adult supervision always provided when children use computers.