Computing Statement of Intent

At St Leonard's, computing is taught through the Teach Computing program, which provides a coherent, well-sequenced curriculum that builds pupils’ knowledge and skills progressively from Year 1 to Year 6. The curriculum is designed to ensure coverage of the national curriculum and to support pupils in developing a secure understanding of computer science, information technology and digital literacy.

Teaching is underpinned by the Teach Computing pedagogy, enabling pupils to revisit and build upon prior learning, use subject-specific vocabulary accurately and apply their knowledge in a range of contexts. Online safety is explicitly taught and regularly revisited, ensuring pupils understand how to use technology safely, responsibly and respectfully.

As a result, pupils become confident, competent users of technology who are well prepared for the next stage of their education and able to participate effectively in an increasingly digital world.

Below you will find a copy of our Computing policy which will give you an idea of what we are aiming to achieve in Computing at St. Leonard's. You will also find a copy of our long term curriculum map. In our school, we follow a two year rolling program, as we have mixed age classes. This ensures that children have full coverage of the National Curriculum and they do not repeat any learning.

We want to ensure that throughout their time with us, children are building their skills ready for their next stage in learning. Therefore we have produced a progression of skills map (see below). Take a look at the map to see what is expected of your child at the end of each year group.

Finally, I have added a link to the National Curriculum for Computing. 

If you have any Computing related questions please do not hesitate to contact our Computing lead, Mrs Lowe. Please feel free to contact me through the school office on 01827 213995 or email office@st-leonards-wigginton.staffs.sch.uk

Keeping safe online

How to support your child's interest and learning in computing at home:

1. Make Computing Part of Everyday Life

• Talk about technology you use daily – smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, traffic lights, self-checkouts. Ask: “How do you think this works?”
• Encourage curiosity about apps and websites: “What do you think the computer is doing when you press that button?”
• Show them that computing isn’t just games — it’s problem-solving and creativity.

2. Encourage Computational Thinking (Without Screens!)

Computing skills don’t always need a device.

• Give step-by-step instructions (e.g., “How to make a sandwich”) and spot mistakes together.
• Play logic and strategy games like chess, draughts, or puzzles.
• Try coding-style activities such as giving directions around the house (“Take 3 steps forward, turn right…”).

These build sequencing, logic, debugging, and problem-solving skills.

3. Explore Child-Friendly Coding Platforms

For beginners:

• Scratch – Create animations and games using drag-and-drop coding blocks.
• ScratchJr – Ideal for younger children (ages 5–7).
• Code.org – Free courses and “Hour of Code” activities.

For slightly more advanced learners:

• Tynker
• BBC micro

– A small programmable device used in many UK schools.

Encourage them to create something meaningful to them — a game for a sibling, an animation about their favourite animal, etc.

4. Focus on Creativity, Not Just Consumption

Instead of only playing games or watching videos, encourage them to:

• Design their own game.
• Make a digital comic strip.
• Create a short animation.
• Build a simple website (with supervision).

Ask them to explain how their project works — teaching others deepens understanding.

5. Talk About Online Safety

Help them develop safe digital habits:

• Discuss keeping personal information private.
• Agree on screen time limits together.
• Encourage them to tell you if something online makes them uncomfortable.
• Explore resources from organisations like Childnet.

Keep conversations open and calm rather than reactive.

6. Show Real-World Connections

Help them see how computing links to other subjects:

• Maths (patterns, logic, problem-solving)
• Art (digital drawing, animation)
• English (storytelling through games or comics)
• Science (simulations, data logging)

You could explore inspiring role models in technology, such as:

• Ada Lovelace
• Tim Berners-Lee

7. Encourage a Growth Mindset

Computing often involves mistakes.

• Celebrate effort, not just results.
• Talk about “debugging” as fixing problems.
• Share stories of inventors and programmers who failed before succeeding.

Mistakes are part of learning to code.

8. Keep It Balanced

• Combine screen and non-screen activities.
• Encourage physical activity and offline hobbies too.
• Make computing something they enjoy, not something pressured.

9. Learn Alongside Your Child

You don’t need to be an expert.

• Say, “Let’s figure this out together.”
• Ask them to teach you what they’ve learned.
• Show interest in their projects.

Your encouragement and curiosity are more important than technical knowledge.

Internet Safety Games