Introduction

At the Gateway Primary Academy we recognise the importance that a high-quality computing curriculum for our pupils, who will need these skills for their future workplaces and as active participants in an increasingly digital word. In addition to this, we recognise that computing has key links to learning in mathematics, science and design and technology, which we actively promote.

National Curriculum

Our computing curriculum fulfils the following aims from the National Curriculum that all pupils:

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

How will your child be introduced to computing in the early years?

Pupils develop their knowledge and skills of Computing and use of ICT through discrete adult directed activities based on the Kapow curriculum using the variety of different equipment available and also through access during child initiated play. Where relevant computing activities are linked as much as possible to the topics in class and the pupils also participate in our regular online safety lessons linked to the Education for A Connected World DfE guidance using Project Evolve.

Online Safety

Our online safety teaching forms a key part of our computing curriculum. At the Gateway, we recognise that online safety is an essential part of safeguarding and acknowledge that it is a fundamental part of our role to ensure all of our learners are protected from potential harm online.

We identify that the internet and associated devices, such as computers, tablets, mobile phones and games consoles are an important part of everyday life which present positive and exciting opportunities as well as challenges and risks.

Our 'digital literacy' curriculum ensures our learners acquire knowledge needed to use the internet and technology in a safe, considered and respectful way, and develop their resilience so that can manage and respond to online risks.

Online safety lessons are taught in every year group every half term using the Kapow and Project Evolve curriculums. We also participate in the National Safer Internet Day and feedback to our Online Safety governor with our key learning.

Alongside teaching online safety in our Computing lessons we also use our Jigsaw time to re-inforce key concepts linked to relationships online and living in a digital world e.g. the healthy use of technology.

For further information on the online safety objectives taught in each year group and the break down term by term please refer to the documents below:

Online Resources

We use a range of websites to support our pupils’ home learning and to support their learning in school.

In EYFS and KS1 our pupils have access to:

• Education city (Maths activities)
• Phonicsplay
• Letterjoin (handwriting)
• Readiwriter (Year 1 and 2)

In Key Stage Two, pupils have access to:

• Education City (Year 3)
• Spellodrome
• Readiwriter
• Timestable rockstars
• SPAG.com

All pupils have passwords that can be used to access these sites. Pupils have been shown how to access them and how to keep their passwords safe from others. Your child's passwords are in the front of their home learning log for you to refer to.