Computing

At Westavale Park, our aim is to provide a high-quality computing education that equips children to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. In addition to this, we want our pupils to gain the life-skills that will enable them to embrace and utilise new technology in a socially responsible and safe way in order to flourish. Knowledge and understanding of computing is of enormous importance for children’s future both at home and for furture employment.

Our computing curriculum focuses on a progression of skills in digital literacy, computer science, information technology and online safety to ensure children become competent in safely using, as well as understanding, technology. We want children to become independent users of computing technologies, gaining confidence and enjoyment from their activities. We want the use of technology to support learning across the entire curriculum and to ensure that our curriculum is accessible to every child.  Not only do we want them to be digitally literate and competent end-users of technology but through our computer science lessons we want them to develop creativity, resilience and problem-solving, in addition to critical thinking skills.  Pupils encounter a breadth of experiences to develop their understanding of themselves as individuals within their community, and also as members of a global population, as responsible digital citizens. These strands are revisited repeatedly through a range of themes during children’s time in school to ensure knowledge is embedded and skills are successfully developed.

At Westvale Park we follow the National Curriculum, and have created a comprehensive progression document that embeds and cover every element of the computing curriculum. To support staff in the faciltation of the computing curriculum, delivery is through the Purple Mash programme. This can support teaching in school as well as at home. The knowledge and skills statements build year on year to deepen and challenge our learners. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children.

At Westvale Park, children have access to a wide range of high quality resources and are provided with cross curricular opportunities to apply computing knowledge and skills. Online safety is revised within each computing lesson as well as being taught as a discrete unit once per year. In addition, online safety procedures and updates are communicated regularly with all staff and parents.

We encourage children to enjoy and value the curriculum we deliver. We want learners to discuss, reflect and appreciate the impact computing has on their learning, development and well-being. Finding the right balance with technology is key to an effective education and a healthy life-style.  Our computing curriculum helps children understand the need for the right balance, and one they can continue to build on during the next stage of their education and beyond.