Computing

We are Digital. We are Castleway.

We have designed and written key units of work covering Information Technology, Digital Literacy and Physical Computing. This includes EYFS technology planning, designed to seamlessly incorporate technology experiences into the seven key areas of learning. With this approach, we introduce pupils to the fundamental pillars of the computing curriculum: digital literacy, information technology, and computer science, right from the start.

Our Computing Curriculum is delivered in manageable blocks, providing pupils with all of the essential elements of the computing curriculum and ensuring that they are well-prepared for the digital world of today and tomorrow.

Information Technology & Digital Literacy

At Castleway, pupils will delve into five carefully crafted blocks of lessons over the course of each year, focusing on key elements of information technology and digital literacy. This ensures that pupils receive regular exposure to these important areas of the curriculum.

Our Computing Curriculum is progressive in nature. Each block builds upon the knowledge and skills acquired in previous years but is presented in a more age-appropriate manner, utilising various apps and technologies that resonate with pupils of different ages. This approach allows for the gradual advancement and development of more complex concepts and knowledge.

Each unit is thoughtfully structured to equip pupils with the component knowledge they need to confidently tackle more sophisticated computing tasks.

Computer Science

The first two terms of the year are dedicated to covering essential key concepts and knowledge in computer science. This allows our pupils to build a strong foundation in this rapidly evolving field. As they progress to the summer term, we incorporate physical computing into the curriculum. Pupils can then apply the skills learned in the previous blocks, embedding their learning in a hands-on, practical way.

Our curriculum is designed to gradually deepen pupils' understanding of coding concepts over the years. For example, in Year 3 we start with simple 'count-controlled' and 'forever' loops. In Year 4, we revisit this and introduce 'nested loops' to challenge pupils further. By Year 5, pupils delve into more complex nested loops and are introduced conditional loops like 'if/else' and 'until'. All of these concepts are then consolidated and mastered in Year 6.

Throughout the sequence of lessons there is an emphasis in logical reasoning and computational thinking skills, which are essential skills for pupils to develop to become problem-solvers and confident coders.

Online Safety

Our pupils receive a dedicated lesson each half term that is specifically centred around one of the 8 themes of 'Education for a Connected World'. These lessons serve as an introduction to the various issues they will explore in their information technology or digital literacy units that term.

Our Computing Curriculum prepares our pupils to navigate the digital world responsibly and confidently.