Computing

At Daresbury Primary School, we want every child to SHINE as a confident and responsible user of technology. We recognise that technology is an important part of children’s lives and their future, and we want every child to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to use technology safely, creatively, independently and responsibly.

Our Computing curriculum develops pupils’ computational thinking, digital skills and understanding of technology, preparing them to participate successfully in an increasingly digital world. Children learn how computers and digital systems work, how to use technology effectively and how technology can be used to solve problems, communicate ideas and create new things.

Our Computing curriculum is carefully sequenced so that children progressively build and connect their knowledge, vocabulary and digital skills from Year 1 to Year 6. We use Purple Mash to support the delivery of our Computing curriculum, enabling children to build on prior learning and become increasingly confident and independent users of technology.

Computing Knowledge and Skills

In accordance with the National Curriculum, children develop their knowledge and skills across the key areas of Computing:

• Computer Science – developing computational thinking, understanding algorithms and programming, and creating and debugging programs to solve problems.

• Information Technology – using a range of digital tools to create, edit, organise, communicate and present information.

• Digital Literacy – developing the knowledge and skills needed to use technology effectively, responsibly and confidently.

• Data and digital systems – understanding how information is represented, stored and used by digital devices and systems.

Children have regular opportunities to work with a range of technologies, including laptops, iPads and interactive whiteboards. They learn to select appropriate digital tools for different purposes and apply their Computing knowledge and skills across the wider curriculum.

We also use Seesaw as our communication and home learning platform. Children develop their digital independence by learning to log in, navigate digital platforms, complete and submit tasks, save their work and share their learning appropriately.

Online Safety and 2BeSafe

Online safety is an essential part of our Computing curriculum and wider safeguarding and Personal Development provision. We use the Purple Mash 2BeSafe curriculum to provide progressive, age-appropriate teaching about staying safe and making responsible choices when using technology and the internet.

Across Years 1–6, children learn about:

• protecting personal information and passwords;

• privacy and online identity;

• digital footprints and online reputation;

• age restrictions and appropriate online content;

• respectful communication and unkind behaviour online;

• recognising online risks and knowing how and where to report concerns;

• healthy and balanced use of technology;

• responsible digital citizenship.

Online safety is not taught only as a standalone lesson. Children are encouraged to apply their learning whenever they use technology, including when using Seesaw, searching online, completing homework and communicating digitally. Online safety messages are also regularly reinforced through our wider school provision, including assemblies and class discussions.

We recognise the important role that parents and carers play in supporting children to stay safe online. Each week, families receive a Wake Up Wednesday online safety guide, focusing on a relevant aspect of children's digital lives and providing practical information and guidance to help continue these important conversations at home.

Through this joined-up approach, we want children to understand that being safe, respectful and responsible online is an important part of everyday life.

Computing and SHINE

Computing makes an important contribution to our Daresbury SHINE framework: Safe, Healthy, Independent, Nurturing and Exploring.

Safe – Children learn to use technology responsibly, protect their personal information, recognise risks and make safe choices online.

Healthy – Children understand how technology, screen time, online interactions and digital content can affect wellbeing and learn how to use technology in a healthy and balanced way.

Independent – Children develop confidence in using devices and digital platforms, making appropriate choices about how technology can support their learning and solve problems.

Nurturing – Children learn to communicate respectfully, support others and consider how their behaviour and choices online can affect other people.

Exploring – Children use technology creatively, ask questions, solve problems, develop ideas and explore new digital possibilities.

Leadership Through Computing

We believe Computing provides valuable opportunities for children to develop leadership, responsibility and independence.

Each class has Digital Leaders who take on additional responsibility for supporting the use of technology within their classroom. They help to look after, organise and manage digital equipment, helping to ensure that devices and resources are ready to use and treated responsibly.

Being a Digital Leader gives children the opportunity to take responsibility within their class, act as a positive role model and contribute to the smooth and responsible use of technology across school.

Computing Beyond the Classroom

We want children to understand that Computing is not simply something that happens in a Computing lesson. Digital knowledge and skills are applied across the curriculum and are an important part of learning and everyday life.

Alongside our core Computing curriculum, children have opportunities to extend their computational thinking and digital skills through coding, programming, STEM activities, digital creativity and practical technology projects. Children also have opportunities to work with technologies such as Crumble coding kits and Micro, enabling them to apply their programming and problem-solving skills in practical contexts.

Where possible, children benefit from workshops, visitors and other enrichment opportunities that broaden their understanding of how technology is used in the wider world and introduce them to the possibilities of future learning and careers involving technology.

Our aim is for children to leave Daresbury as confident, creative and responsible users of technology who can think computationally, solve problems, make informed choices and use technology safely and effectively. We want them to have the knowledge, skills and confidence to embrace new technologies while understanding their responsibilities as members of an increasingly digital world.