Home
Curriculum
Computing

Computing

“Computers have become the most empowering tool we’ve ever created.”

(Bill Gates)

Computing at Oakwood

Computing Intent

At Oakwood we ensure full coverage of the National Curriculum in a carefully structured whole school planning sequence. This includes three main areas: e-safety and digital literacy, computer science and using information technology.

Our e-safety and digital literacy skills are interlinked with our school’s Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) and referred to in every other computing unit. Children are reminded at the beginning of each year of the strategies they can use to stay safe, be kind, respectful and empathetic, and get help. Each year has a focus on current digital issues (online misinformation, self-esteem, trolling etc.) to prepare children for the real world.

Computer science is the teaching of coding and understanding of the hardware which we use. We use Scratch and Discovery coding to scaffold children’s learning from simple control to block coding and introducing text coding with Python, Javascript and HTML. Children are also taught about the physical elements of our global computer network. They are invited to be curious and creative, plan ahead, design algorithms and de-bug the code they create.

Our focus in using information technology is on exploring professional and creative skills which children will later use on a daily basis (such as spreadsheets and word-processing) or may choose to take further as a hobby or career (film-making, sound production, graphic design).