At Loughton School, we aim to plan a high-quality computing education which equips children to use computational thinking and creativity to understand. We understand that computing can enhance learning across the curriculum and has deep links with several theme lessons taught across the school.

Our computing curriculum covers three pillars of progression:

Digital literacy

The teaching of online safety in the autumn term allows children to be educated about potentially harmful and inappropriate online material. Safeguarding of all children is paramount and we want to ensure that all children know how to remain safe online. It also allows children to be independent when using technology and consider their conduct online, ensuring that they remain respectful in real life and whilst online. Children will work through scenarios in lessons to unpick and explore how challenges can be managed online.

The four areas of risk (content, contact, conduct and commerce) are taught at an age-appropriate level so that pupils can manage their own risks when online and take an active part in an ever-changing digital world. This is built upon each year when the children learn how to conduct safe searches when carrying out research projects in year 3 to understanding why some sources of information may be less reliable than others when taught in year 6.

Information Technology (IT)

Building on their computing knowledge and understanding, children are taught to use information technology to create systems and a range of content. This pillar also involves the productive use of readymade computer applications to create content in a variety of forms for example in year 3, children use video to produce a narrated documentary during documentary week in theme. Understanding how to gather data, process it and present it is taught in year 5 which links both the maths and the science curriculum.

Computer Science

Computer science is interwoven through all aspects of the computing curriculum. Children are taught the principles of information and computing, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. When learning how to programme be using Beebot or Scratch, children engage in practical and creative processes. The knowledge acquired from learning how to use Scratch allows pupils to apply this knowledge in other areas of the curriculum such as being able to programme a drone which appears in the year 4 curriculum.

During their time at Loughton School, children will have the opportunity to access a range of technology including laptops, iPads, Kindles, and interactive whiteboards, allowing them to practice and improve the skills that they have learnt.

Assessment

Evidence of knowledge acquired by children is shown in the work that they complete or create and assessments are made against the 'I can' statements.

By teaching a comprehensive computing curriculum, we will enable our children to become digitally literate. Our children will have firm foundations to be creatively express themselves. They will be inspired to develop their ideas through information and communication technology at a level suitable for the future and as active participants in an ever-changing digital world.

Children will be able to keep themselves safe online and will manage their risks each time they use technology. They will be resilient learners, using problem solving skills which they have acquired throughout their learning in computing to develop expertise within the subject and remain independent learners.