At Richard Coates CE Primary School, 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 Computing is of increasing importance for children’s future both at home and for employment.

Our Computing curriculum focuses on a progression of skills in digital literacy, computer science, information technology and online safety to ensure that children become competent in safely using, as well as understanding, technology. These strands are revisited repeatedly throughout the academic year to ensure that learning is embedded, and skills are successfully developed. Our Computing curriculum allows pupils to “Let their Light Shine” by having access to high quality, real-life experiences where they can flourish.

Computing prepares children to deal with tomorrow's rapidly changing world. It enables all children, regardless of background, ability, or additional needs, to flourish and to become the very best version of themselves they can possibly be. At Richard Coates, we teach the Computing National Curriculum, supported by a clear progression Framework published by the Sheffield Primary Computing authority. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children.

At Richard Coates pupils learn to use and develop their ideas through ICT using the Google Domain as their main platform for curriculum progression. As part of the information technology aspect of the curriculum, pupils use Chromebooks and IPads to write digitally and to create presentations, as well as exploring and using different types of multimedia. Within digital literacy, children develop practical skills in the safe use of ICT and the ability to apply these skills to solving relevant, worthwhile problems. In computer science, we teach children to understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation. We give our pupils access to a wide range of good quality resources and provide cross curricular opportunities for pupils to apply their Computing knowledge and skills. Online safety is taught to all year groups (including EYFS) every term, and staff are encouraged to follow our ‘Richard Coates Online Safety Outline’ which includes a variety of high quality resources which can be used to teach online safety effectively. We also communicate current online safety issues and procedures with all staff and parents in the form of newsletters.