Computing is an essential part of modern life. At Clapham Manor, we want every child to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to understand and use technology effectively, creatively, responsibly and safely.

Our computing curriculum aims to enthuse, prepare and equip pupils for a world in which technology continues to influence how we learn, communicate, work and participate in society. Pupils learn to find, explore, analyse, create, exchange and present information using a range of digital tools. They are also encouraged to develop curiosity, resilience and independence by solving problems, identifying errors and improving their work.

Our curriculum reflects the three interconnected strands of the National Curriculum for Computing:

• Computer science: understanding computation and digital systems, and learning how to design, create, test and improve programs. 

• Information technology: using digital tools purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and present digital content. 

• Digital literacy: developing the knowledge and behaviours pupils need to use technology confidently, critically, responsibly and safely. 

We use the Teach Computing Curriculum, developed by the National Centre for Computing Education, as the foundation of our curriculum. Its units are carefully sequenced so that pupils revisit and build upon important concepts, vocabulary and skills as they progress through the school. Teachers adapt resources and teaching approaches where necessary to meet the needs of our pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

  

Alongside practical experience of programming, pupils learn about computer systems and networks, data and information, and the creation of digital media. They are taught to plan, create, test, evaluate and improve their work and to explain the choices they have made. Teachers use questioning, observation and pupils’ completed work to check understanding, identify misconceptions and inform future teaching.

Where purposeful and appropriate, pupils apply their computing knowledge across other curriculum subjects. These connections allow pupils to use technology in meaningful contexts while recognising that computing also has its own distinct body of knowledge, concepts and vocabulary.

By the end of Year 6, we want pupils to have secure foundations for the next stage of their education. They should be able to use technology with increasing independence, understand some of the principles that underpin digital systems, create and evaluate digital content, solve computational problems and make informed, responsible choices when using technology.

 

Online safety

Online safety is an essential and regularly revisited part of our curriculum. Pupils are taught how to use technology safely, respectfully, responsibly and securely, including how to protect their personal information, manage their digital footprint and recognise acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.

Teaching of online safety is age-appropriate and responds to the technologies and risks pupils may encounter. This includes online relationships and communication, privacy and security, misinformation, harmful or inappropriate content, online bullying, reporting concerns and seeking help from a trusted adult. Pupils are taught that online safety applies whenever technology is used, both within and beyond school.

  

Online safety is taught through our mapped curriculum and reinforced through computing, relationships and health education, assemblies and wider safeguarding work. Events such as Safer Internet Day complement this ongoing teaching.

The school maintains appropriate filtering and monitoring arrangements as part of its wider safeguarding responsibilities. These technical measures support, but do not replace, active monitoring, education and a culture in which pupils feel confident reporting anything that concerns or upsets them.