At Westvale Park, our aim is to provide a high-quality computing education that equips children with the computational thinking and creativity needed to understand and change the world. We also want our pupils to develop life skills that enable them to embrace and use new technology in a socially responsible and safe way, helping them to flourish. Knowledge and understanding of computing are of great importance for children’s futures—both at home and in future employment.

Our computing curriculum focuses on a progression of skills in digital literacy, computer science, information technology, and online safety. This ensures that children become competent in both using and understanding technology safely. We aim for children to become independent users of computing technologies, gaining confidence and enjoyment from their experiences. Technology is used to support learning across the entire curriculum, and we ensure that our computing curriculum is accessible to every child.

Not only do we want pupils to be digitally literate and competent end-users of technology, but through our computer science lessons, we also aim to develop their creativity, resilience, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. Pupils experience a broad range of activities that help them understand themselves as individuals within their community and as members of a global population—becoming responsible digital citizens. These strands are revisited regularly through a variety of themes to ensure knowledge is embedded and skills are developed over time. At the start of each year, each class creates a set of rules and signs an Acceptable Use Policy before using computing equipment.

At Westvale Park, we follow the National Curriculum for computing. To support staff in delivering this curriculum, we use the Purple Mash programme, which can support teaching both in school and at home. The knowledge and skills statements build progressively each year to deepen understanding and challenge learners. This ensures that learning is well-sequenced and builds effectively over time.

Online safety is revisited at the start of every computing lesson, with each half term focusing on one of the ‘Four Cs’ of online safety from Keeping Children Safe in Education (Content, Contact, Conduct, and Commerce). Online safety is also addressed whenever relevant issues arise in lessons. Additionally, it is taught weekly in a dedicated in-class assembly using Purple Mash resources tailored to each year group. Online safety procedures and updates are regularly shared with staff and parents.

We encourage children to enjoy and value the computing curriculum. We want them to reflect on and appreciate the impact computing has on their learning, development, and well-being. Finding the right balance with technology is key to both effective education and a healthy lifestyle. Our curriculum helps children understand the importance of this balance—something they can carry with them into the next stage of their education and beyond.