Computing Curriculum

At Farnborough Road Infant School we are computer wizards! We want all our children to love computing. We want them to have no limits to what their ambitions are and grow up wanting to be teachers, graphic designers, technical analysts, software engineers, video game designers, web developers, ICT technicians, IT consultants, Network managers, Computer journalists, Programme managers, ICT helpdesk engineers , ICT project managers, ICT field engineers, ICT system analysts, ICT build engineers or  Social media marketers.

We want all children to have access to appropriate technology to thrive in the digital age. We want boys and girls to enjoy STEM learning and feel confident when using technology throughout their education. We would like all pupils to be very aware of the positives that the internet brings but also be fully aware of how harmful it can be.

Curriculum Intent

Our computing curriculum promotes curiosity and empowers our children to become independent and resilient learners. The FRIS computing curriculum not only meets National Curriculum requirements but will provide memorable computing lessons that will develop their computing capital and prepare them for the next stage in their education.

Children will learn to use a range of new software to develop their Computing skills in structured weekly lessons.  Children will learn about internet safety in our computing and PSHE curriculum to enable them to safely use the internet.  The children will take part in an E-Safety Week in the Spring term which teaches them to  confidently explore the online world in a safe, kind and respectful way. 

In the Summer Term, Year 1 children enjoyed a "Just Dance" workshop to help them to learn about algorithms.  They sequenced movements together to demonstrate how a computer uses coding to create games and make objects move around a screen.

In the Spring Term the year 2 children experience an internet safety workshop which helps them to understand why e-safety is very important and that it is something that they will need to understand as they become independent users of different technologies as they move through the different key stages.

Year 2 children experienced a "Microbit" workshop in the summer term to introduce them to the coding of "Microbits".  This is a technology that they will use in the next stage of their computing education in the junior school.

If children want to take their computing skills to the next level they can attend our after school computing clubs.  These are available to children in reception, year 1 and year 2.  This gives them opportunities to explore the vast potential of computing in a fun enjoyable way. 

Curriculum Implementation

The Computing curriculum has  carefully planned  learning opportunities which ensure that each year group has a clear progression of skills, understanding and knowledge. 

We focus our teaching on the three areas of computing, information technology, digital literacy and computer science. Information technology teaches children about how we use technology to solve problems and present data.  Computer science teaches the children how computers work and how they can be programmed using algorithms.  Digital literacy emphasizes safe, responsible and competent use of technology.

The computing curriculum provides lots of opportunities to revisit previous skills and learning and build on these skills during a block of lessons to help them to make further progress. Each weekly lesson includes the key vocabulary that the children need to know.  Previous vocabulary is used and new vocabulary is introduced and children learn what this means and how it can be used when talking about technology.  The children use computers, iPads and programmable robots to learn the key skills needed throughout the early years and KS1 curriculum.  The children will also learn how to use and apply their computing skills and knowledge in other curriculum areas.

Curriculum Impact

We strive for every child to achieve their full potential in computing, develop a love of technology, be ready for their next stage in learning and inspire aspirations for the future career paths.

At Farnborough Road Infant School, we are Computing Wizards!