With technology being at the forefront of today’s ever-changing world and learning landscape, it is important that computing is embraced and learners can access a rich, broad and balanced computing curriculum.  

 At Whitehouse Primary School, we aim to ensure every child can enjoy and succeed in computing by providing a creative and engaging curriculum which highlights the real-life application of technology in ways relevant to pupils.  

 Our ambitious curriculum is designed to develop learners’ digital literacy, comprising of knowledge and skills that can be applied to other areas of the school curriculum, future education and the ever-evolving challenges of life. This enables the learners to become safe, effective and discerning users of a range of computer systems. We believe that mastery in computing is the acquisition of a deep, long-term, secure and adaptable understanding of the subject. This is demonstrated by how skilfully pupils can apply their learning in computing to new situations in unfamiliar contexts. All pupils are encouraged to believe in their ability to master computing and are empowered to succeed through curiosity, tinkering and perseverance. 

 The teaching of Computing at Whitehouse Primary follows the four main strands of the National Centre for Computing Education’s Teach Computing Curriculum: 

• Computing systems and networks 

• Data and information 

• Creating media 

• Programming 

 Computing systems and networks is the study of what a computer is, how its constituent parts function together as a whole and understanding how networks can be used to retrieve and share with an appreciation of the associated risks. Data and information explores how data is stored, organised and used to represent real-world artefacts and scenarios. Creating media is the selection and creation of a range of media, including text, images, sounds and video. Programming is writing or coding using software in order to solve problems or produce desired output. The children engage in effective ways to help them develop their ideas around programming, considering how algorithms are developed and can be developed into programs. A range of approaches will be explored, including: ‘unplugged’ activities that require no computers; using physical programmable objects such as Beebots; on-screen programming environments (such as Scratch Jr and Scratch); and using microcontrollers. 

 One of the priority aspects of our curriculum offer is teaching the children how to navigate computing technology and the internet safely and effectively. With our up-to-date, high-quality resources, we encourage and support all children, with their individual requirements, to remain safe online and speak with trusted adults when they are unsure in particular situations. The units link the content of the lessons and the national curriculum and Educated for a Connected World framework, ensuring the children develop the knowledge and understanding of online safety, or digital citizenship. 

 The Computing curriculum at Whitehouse Primary School allows children the opportunity to become active participants in creating content with purpose rather than being passive receivers. It encourages the children to question and challenge themselves and provides space for them to positively express who they are and how they want their voice to be heard.