Subject Leader: Kelly Gregory

    

Intent:

Throughout the teaching of computing at Corby Primary Academy, pupils have the opportunity to become independent lifelong learners in a society where technologies and trends are rapidly evolving. Through collaboration, our pupils develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking and resilience, working together to explore computing concepts in meaningful ways including online. We ensure that language is at the heart of our teaching, enabling children to articulate their ideas, explain their thinking and understand the importance of clear communication in the digital world. We are committed to inclusion, ensuring that every child, regardless of background or ability, can access and thrive in computing. Our curriculum is memorable and bold, enriched with hands-on experiences, real-world applications and inspiring challenges that foster a lifelong love of technology.

Implementation:

Right through from our Early Years our children are exposed to different digital devices and software to support their educational and digital learning. Our computing lessons are taught through a combination of explicit teaching and hands-on exploration using Purple Mash to deliver the aims of The National Curriculum. Our computing curriculum is divided into three broad areas:

• Computer Science
• Digital Literacy
• Information Technology.

The National Curriculum for computing aims to ensure all pupils:

• can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation (Computer science)
• can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs to solve such problems (Computer science)
• can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems (Information technology)
• are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology. (Digital literacy)

Children will have access to the hardware (computers, tablets, programmable equipment) and software that they need to develop knowledge and skills of digital systems and their application and we also ensure pupils are exposed to and use applications that exist in the ‘real’ world such as Microsoft applications e.g. Word and Excel and using Microsoft Teams for communication. Pupils also have their own emails accounts, which they learn to use moving through KS2.

Online safety

As a school, we recognise that online safety is a significant safeguarding issue and making sure that our children are digitally literate and understand how to use technology responsibly and safely is of utmost importance to us. Children will have the opportunity to explore and respond to key issues such as digital communication, including the use of phones, cyber-bullying, online safety, security, plagiarism and social media. E-safety is embedded throughout the curriculum and each year group also has its own dedicated unit of work. As a school, we take part in Safer Internet Day. Further information can be found here:  https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2025 Parents are informed when issues relating to online safety arise and further information and or support is provided if required.

Impact:

We want our pupils to leave our school able to safely, confidently and competently use technology and to accomplish a wide variety of goals, both at home and at school. By building on their learning and exposure to technology, children at Corby Primary Academy leave as fully rounded digital citizens. They are aware of the benefits and drawbacks of our digitally connected world and can navigate it safely and effectively. These skills help to set them up for success in their future education and careers.

Leaders monitor the quality and impact of the computing curriculum through lesson observations, planning, online 2Do’s, pupil voice and the extent to which pupils know more and remember more.