Computing at Welland Primary School 

The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all pupils: 

• can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation 

• can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems 

• can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems 

• are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology 

Our intention at Welland Primary School is for children to be fully equipped to live and work in the modern world. With a constantly evolving technological world around us, computing is forming a more important role than ever.  Computing comes in many forms and is used throughout many of the national curriculum subjects we teach. We believe that throughout their primary years children should be taught a balance across all areas of computing; these should include understanding how to keep themselves safe online, how to use a range of different computing systems and how to use information technology purposefully to express themselves and create different programmes and systems.  

At Welland Primary our computing curriculum is delivered through the computing scheme of Purple Mash.  This scheme allows children to work through a progression of skills relevant to their year level. It gives children the opportunities to try out new computing programmes and systems and how these may be used in the real world. The programme offers a rigorous online safety scheme which presents children with many real world problems that they may encounter as they explore the online world. The scheme allows children to make their own choices about how to handle difficult situations and what the outcome of their choices might lead to, within a safe teaching environment. We believe that ensuring children know how to keep themselves safe online and what this looks like is a highly valuable life skill that all children should leave Welland Primary with.  

Computing in our classrooms 

You will see: 

● Children engaged and excited by computing 

● Children using a range of different computing programmes and systems 

● Practical, hands on experience on computers, Ipads and alternative forms of technology.  

● Children working collaboratively  

● Children using their growing computing skills to publish, research and investigate.  

● Children demonstrating how they keep themselves safe online 

You will hear: 

● Children evaluating and developing their understanding of how computers can be used 

● Children excited and passionate about learning computer science 

● Children talking about computing using key vocabulary 

You will feel: 

● A classroom climate where mistakes are valued and part of the deepening our understanding 

● Children building their understanding of how computing forms an essential part of our lives  

● That children are passionate to know more 

Computing in the Early Years 

In Reception, children recognise that a range of technology is used in places such as homes and schools.  They select and use technology for particular purposes.  

Computing in KS1 

Pupils should be taught to: 

• understand what algorithms are, how they are implemented as programs on digital devices 

• create and debug simple programs 

• use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs 

• use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content 

• recognise common uses of information technology beyond school 

• use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies 

Computing in KS2 

Pupils should be taught to: 

• design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts 

• use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output 

• use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs 

• understand computer networks, including the internet; how they can provide multiple services, such as the World Wide Web, and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration 

• use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content 

• select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information 

• use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact