Computing Curriculum at Sacred Heart

Core Principles

Curriculum Design

Inclusive and ambitious

The Computing Curriculum design supports all pupils. Each lesson is sequenced so that it builds on the learning from the previous lesson, and where appropriate, activities are adapted so that all pupils can succeed and thrive. Teachers also use a range of pedagogical strategies which support making computing topics more accessible.

Lessons foster a deeper understanding of a concept, provide opportunities to solve problems and develop computational thinking.  Pupils are encouraged to apply their learning in different contexts and make connections with other learning experiences. The curriculum design reduces the amount of knowledge lost through forgetting, as topics are revisited yearly. It also ensures that connections are made even if different teachers are teaching the units within a theme in consecutive years. 

Computing is taught as a discrete subject and exposes children to a range of hardware, technologies, programs and apps.  

Our Computing Curriculum is based on developing the six elements of computing:

• Digital literacy
• Online safety
• Computational thinking
• Computers and hardware
• Cross-curricular application
• Coding

Online Safety

At Sacred Heart, we teach the children how to be safe online and how to benefit from the opportunities that a connected world can bring. This is always age and stage appropriate.

As they grow older, it is crucial that they learn to balance the benefits offered by technology with a critical awareness of their own and other’s online behaviour and develop effective strategies for staying safe and making a positive contribution online.

The school's Online Safety curriculum framework describes the knowledge, understanding and skills that children and young people should have the opportunity to develop at different ages and stages. It highlights what a child should know in terms of current online technology, its influence on behaviour and development, how to get support, and what skills they need to be able to navigate it safely.

We also take part in Safer Internet Day each year, teaching additional lessons relating to the theme.