Computing
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Developing confident, creative and responsible digital citizens
At Bosley St Mary's CE Primary School, we believe that computing provides exciting opportunities for children to explore, create, solve problems and understand the increasingly digital world around them.
Guided by our Christian vision, Every Learner Flourishing, we want every child to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to use technology creatively, purposefully and safely.
Our ambition is for children to become curious, capable and responsible digital citizens who understand not only how to use technology, but how it works and how it can make a positive difference.
How We Teach Computing
Our computing curriculum develops children's knowledge and understanding through three key areas:
- Computer Science: Understanding how computers and networks work, developing computational thinking, and designing, writing and debugging programs.
- Information Technology: Using digital tools to create, organise, present and communicate information effectively.
- Digital Literacy: Understanding how to use technology safely, responsibly and confidently, including recognising risks and making informed choices online.
- Learning is practical and engaging, with opportunities to investigate, experiment, create and solve problems. Children develop their confidence through programming, digital media, data handling and exploring how technology is used in everyday life.
Our Curriculum Approach
We use the Oak National Academy primary computing curriculum, organised into a carefully sequenced, two-year rolling programme to meet the needs of our mixed-age classes.
Our curriculum is structured to develop knowledge progressively, allowing children to revisit important concepts and build on their previous learning.
Units cover computing systems and networks, programming, creating digital media, data and information, and the effective use of technology.
Lessons combine explicit teaching, practical exploration and opportunities to apply new knowledge. Regular questioning, discussion and assessment help teachers identify understanding and address misconceptions.
Online safety is an important part of our computing curriculum and is reinforced through PSHE and our wider safeguarding education.
Thinking Like a Computer Scientist
We encourage children to approach problems with curiosity, creativity and perseverance. Through computing, pupils learn to:
- Break complex problems into manageable steps.
- Recognise patterns and develop logical solutions.
- Design, test and debug programs.
- Evaluate and improve their digital creations.
- Think critically about information and technology.
- Children learn that mistakes are part of the process and that testing, adapting and trying again are essential skills.
Computing and Our Christian Vision
Computing supports our Christian vision by encouraging curiosity, creativity, responsibility and thoughtful decision-making.
Our BEARS values of Believe, Encourage, Achieve, Relate and Serve are reflected in the ways children collaborate, persevere through challenges and use technology respectfully.
We encourage pupils to consider how technology affects themselves, others and the wider world, recognising the importance of kindness, honesty and responsibility in digital spaces.
Opportunities for reflection help children explore how technology can be used to communicate, create and contribute positively to society.
Computing Beyond the Classroom
Technology provides opportunities to enrich learning across the curriculum, supporting research, creativity, communication and problem-solving.
Children are encouraged to make connections between their computing knowledge and its applications in everyday life, recognising how digital systems support the world around them.
We place particular importance on online safety, helping children understand how to protect personal information, recognise unreliable content, communicate respectfully and seek help when something concerns them.
Computing for Every Learner
We believe every child should have the opportunity to develop the knowledge and confidence needed to participate in an increasingly digital world.
Teaching is adapted to meet individual needs, with appropriate support, practical experiences and opportunities for challenge.
Teachers assess learning through questioning, discussion, practical outcomes and pupils' ability to explain and apply their understanding.
Our ambition is for every child to leave Bosley as a confident, creative, thoughtful and responsible user of technology, equipped with the foundations for further learning and life in a digital world.
