Computing

Intent

Our computing provision aims to equip children to thrive in a rapidly changing world where technology increasingly transforms work and leisure activities. We intend to empower children to find, explore, analyse, exchange, and present information safely, responsibly, and respectfully. Additionally, we focus on developing their skills to use information in a discerning and effective manner.

With an emphasis on programming, our computing curriculum fosters problem-solving and reasoning abilities. It helps children understand and apply the essential principles of Computer Science, including logic, algorithms, and data representation. They will analyse problems computationally and have ample practical experience writing computer programmes to solve these challenges.

Computing skills are crucial for nurturing confident, creative, and independent learners, and we strive to provide children with every opportunity to achieve this.

Implementation

At Lenthall Infant and Nursery School, we aim to realise this INTENT through a personalised, progressive, and carefully sequenced curriculum that incorporates both plugged and unplugged experiences alongside quality first teaching. Our computing instruction is woven across all subjects, exposing children to diverse technologies and their applications throughout their educational journey at LINS. We dedicate one hour each week to computing lessons in every year group, including Foundation Stage.

Although the updated 2021 EYFS Framework no longer includes Understanding the World: Technology, exploring relationships, emotions, behaviour, and culture remains fundamental. Technology will always play a significant role in our children’s lives, intertwined with their relationships and behaviours. By using Barefoot Computing and intentionally planned activities linked to topics, we focus on helping our Early Years children develop social skills, creativity, responsible use of devices and the internet, and prepare them for Teach Computing sessions in future Key Stages.

From Key Stage 1, computing is planned and delivered using the ‘Teach Computing’ curriculum—a comprehensive collection of materials designed to support teachers in delivering the entire computing curriculum as outlined by the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE). These resources can be customised for individual teachers and school settings, ensuring suitability for all pupils, regardless of their skills, backgrounds, or additional needs.

The Teach Computing Curriculum employs the NCCE’s computing taxonomy to ensure thorough coverage of the subject. This taxonomy has been developed through an extensive review of the computing programme of study and encompasses ten strands, ordered alphabetically:

• Algorithms: Comprehend, design, create, and evaluate algorithms.
• Computer Networks: Understand how networks can be used to retrieve and share information and the associated risks.
• Computer Systems: Recognise what a computer is and how its parts function together.
• Creating Media: Select and create a variety of media, including text, images, sounds, and video.
• Data and Information: Understand how data is stored, organised, and used to represent real-world artifacts and scenarios.

• Design and Development: Understand the activities involved in planning, creating, and evaluating computing artefacts.
• Effective Use of Tools: Use software tools to support computing work.
• Impact of Technology: Understand how individuals, systems, and society interact with computer systems.
• Programming: Create software to enable computers to solve problems.
• Safety and Security: Recognise risks when using technology and learn how to protect individuals and systems.

This taxonomy provides structured categories and an organised view of content to encapsulate the discipline of computing. While all strands are present across all phases, they may not always be taught explicitly.

Our curriculum is designed to ensure that skills and knowledge progress as children advance through the year groups and revisit strands. We teach computing through repeated practical experiences, discussions, and demonstrations.

Online Safety

Online Safety is intricately woven throughout our entire curriculum, with a particular emphasis in computing and RSE teaching. We utilise ProjectEVOLVE as our coordinated online safety education programme. This resource includes all 330 statements from the UK Council for Internet Safety's (UKCIS) framework, 'Education for a Connected World,' covering knowledge, skills, behaviours, and attitudes across eight strands of online life, from early years to age eighteen. The outcomes are carefully mapped to ensure progression.

We deliver ProjectEVOLVE through:

• A discrete starter activity in each computing lesson or class assembly.
• PHSE lessons when relevant.
• A mapped cross-curricular programme.
• Assemblies and pastoral programmes.
• Engagement with national initiatives, such as Safer Internet Day and Anti-Bullying Week.

Impact

LINS implements a broad, balanced, and enriched Computing curriculum, leading to:

• Pupils developing detailed knowledge and skills across the curriculum, resulting in strong achievements.
• Precision in planning, ensuring the curriculum is covered with the depth outlined in the National Curriculum's guidance.
• Regular opportunities for pupils to revisit concepts and connect ideas.
• High-quality programmes fostering a genuine love of learning among pupils.
• Access to a variety of resources.
• A strong emphasis on developing specific subject knowledge and skills, ensuring progression through Key Stages.
• A curriculum focusing on technology's role in the wider world, preparing pupils to integrate into modern British society.
• Active engagement with parents, extending learning beyond the classroom.
• An inclusive curriculum that allows all pupils to collaborate, creating a strong sense of care and inclusivity.

Our Ultimate End Goal

What will our computing students be able to do when they leave us?

By the time pupils leave Lenthall, we aim to develop responsible, confident, and creative users of technology who can apply computational thinking beyond the computing curriculum. They will be digitally literate and active participants in a digital world, knowing how to stay safe online, minimising risks to themselves and others. Understanding and following our E-Safety rules is vital, as is knowing who to contact if they have concerns, including utilising report buttons.

Our pupils will have repeated practical experience in programming to solve problems, mastering logic and algorithms. They will acquire the ability to ask and answer questions by collecting, analysing, evaluating, and presenting data and information. Ultimately, they will understand how digital networks operate and the services they provide, enabling them to use search options effectively while evaluating content relevance. They will be respectful, responsible, and competent digital citizens, equipped with the knowledge to support themselves and others online.