St. Thomas More Primary Computing Curriculum
At St Thomas More, we aim to live as God calls us and this includes in the actions we take in an ever-growing digital society. It is therefore important that we support children to understand how to keep themselves and others safe whilst using technology and accessing the internet. Children will experience a curriculum which will develop their knowledge and skills so that they are successful in their computing education and are prepared for the next stage in their lives and the opportunities which will develop in the future workforce. We aim to develop responsible digital citizens.
We aim to prepare our learners for their future by giving them the opportunities to gain knowledge and develop skills that will equip them for a world that is becoming more dependent on technology. Our intention is that Computing also supports children’s creativity and cross curricular learning to engage children and enrich their experiences in school.
Our Computing curriculum ensures that skills and knowledge are sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children. Computing is taught across three main strands: digital literacy, computer science and information technology. As part of information technology, children learn to use and develop their ideas through ICT. Within digital literacy, children develop practical skills in the safe use of ICT and the ability to apply these skills to solving relevant, worthwhile problems. In computer science we teach the children the different ways technology can be used and developed. We give children access to a wide range of quality resources and provide cross curricular opportunities for children to apply their computing knowledge and skills. Online safety is taught throughout the year due to the increasing risks that prevent themselves through mediums such as social media.
Our curriculum ensures that when children leave St Thomas More Primary school, they are competent and safe users of ICT with an understanding of how technology works. They will have developed skills to express themselves and be creative in using digital media. They will be equipped to apply their skills in computing to different challenges going forward and be confident, responsible digital citizens.
