Oakridge School Computing Intent

Introduction

In an increasingly digital world, equipping students with computing knowledge and skills from an early age is essential. Our vision for our computing curriculum is to inspire curiosity, creativity, and confidence in young learners, empowering them to understand, shape, and thrive in the evolving technological landscape. All of our computing lessons are therefore guided by our Oakridge thread of ‘Technology and Progress’, ensuring that children embed key skills and knowledge, which will enhance their life chances in the future.

Vision Statement

We envision a generation of primary learners who are not just users of technology but empowered creators, critical thinkers, and responsible digital citizens. Our curriculum fosters a lifelong love for learning, collaboration and innovation, laying a strong foundation for success in a digital future.

Key Goals

1. Digital Literacy for All
   Every student develops essential digital skills to navigate and use technology confidently and safely in everyday life, whether that is through learning about ‘Effective Searching’ in Year 2 or during a ‘Blogging’ unit in Year 6 for example.
2. Creative Problem Solving
   Students engage in computational thinking, fostering skills such as logical reasoning, pattern recognition, and problem-solving through hands-on activities. Year 5 learn to do this through using the ‘2Design and Make’ software to create a variety of 3D Models, whereas Year 1 complete a unit of ‘Grouping and Sorting’ using the 2DIY software.
3. Practical Skills Development
   Children are introduced to key computing concepts like algorithms, programming, and data representation, using age-appropriate tools and technologies. For example, Year 3 apply these skills during their ‘Graphing’ and ‘Databases’ lessons, whereas Year 4 develop these skills during their ‘Making Music’ unit.
4. Collaboration and Communication
   Students learn to work collaboratively, leveraging technology to share ideas, create projects, and communicate effectively. Aspects of these skills are practised and applied through each and every computing session so that by the end of their Oakridge learning journey, our pupils have been provided with endless opportunities to embed and secure these skills.  
5. Digital Citizenship and Ethics
   Learners understand the importance of online safety, digital responsibility, and ethical use of technology, ensuring they interact positively in the digital world. This is taught to all ages, not only through our weekly computing lessons but also as a theme that is explored further through additional online-safety sessions and assemblies, which happen throughout the year.
6. Prepare for the Future
   Equip pupils with the foundational knowledge and skills to adapt to emerging technologies and succeed in an increasingly digital society. All of the children who learn at Oakridge are provided with regular, meaningful and practical opportunities to stand them in good stead for the exciting futures that lay ahead of them.

By embedding computing into our broader curriculum and fostering a hands-on, inquiry-based approach, we create confident, curious, and responsible learners who can embrace the opportunities and challenges of the digital age.

Links to the Computing National Curriculum

Our curriculum is fully aligned with the Computing National Curriculum (2014) and ensures coverage of the three key strands:

1. Computer Science – Pupils develop an understanding of algorithms, programming, and problem-solving. They learn to create and debug programs, understand sequences and loops, and work with logical reasoning.
2. Information Technology – Pupils learn how to use a variety of software and hardware to collect, analyse, evaluate, and present data and information.
3. Digital Literacy – Pupils learn about online safety, responsible use of technology, and the wider impact of digital systems on their lives.

Outcomes

By the end of primary school, students will:

• Be confident in using digital tools responsibly.
• Understand basic computing principles and programming concepts.
• Solve problems collaboratively and creatively using technology.
• Be prepared for the next stage of their digital learning journey.

The following curriculum documents outline our intended curriculum:
 

Computing progression document

Medium Term Plans for each unit

Computing content document