At Wisewood, we aim to prepare our learners for their future by giving them the opportunities to gain knowledge and develop skills that will equip them for an ever-changing digital world.

Knowledge and understanding of ICT is of increasing importance and we want our children to aspire to understand the digital world and to contribute positively with all technologies. We aim to develop children’s confidence and competence of engaging with a variety of technology to encourage them to belong to a world shaped by technology using skills that will equip them for life.

Through computing we seek to engage and enrich children’s experiences in school allowing them to become confident digital learners.

Our intention is that Computing also supports children’s creativity and cross curricular learning to engage children and enrich their experiences in school.

Curriculum Content

Computing is taught across three main strands:

• Digital Literacy – children develop practical skills in the safe use of ICT and the ability to apply these skills to solving relevant, worthwhile problems.
• Computer Science – we teach children to understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including:

- Abstraction

- Logic

- Algorithms

- Data Representation

- Computing Vocabulary

- Information Technology.

• Online Safety

Online safety is taught and revisited within each Computing lesson as a short starter activity, as well as being taught as a unit each year.

Online safety learning is provided in the following ways:
 

• Key online safety messages will be reinforced as part of a planned programme of assemblies and activities, including promoting Safer Internet Day each year.
• Pupils will be taught in all lessons to be critically aware of the materials / content they access on-line and be guided to validate the accuracy of information.
• Pupils will be taught to acknowledge the source of information used and to respect copyright when using material accessed on the internet.
• We will discuss, remind or raise relevant online safety messages with pupils routinely wherever suitable opportunities arise during all lessons; including the need to protect personal information, consider the consequences their actions may have on others, the need to check the accuracy and validity of information they use and the need to respect and acknowledge ownership of digital materials.
• Pupils will be taught how to use a range of age-appropriate online tools in a safe and effective way.
• Pupils will be taught about the impact of online bullying and know how to seek help if they are affected by any form of bullying.
• Pupils will be made aware of where to report, seek advice or help if they experience problems when using the internet and related technologies.
• Where pupils are allowed to freely search the internet, staff will be vigilant in monitoring the content of the websites the young people visit.