Computing
At the John Wesley CEM Primary School, we recognise that pupils are living in a rapidly changing world, in which ICT is playing an ever-increasing role. We aim, therefore, to equip children with the skills to adapt to new technology and to give them confidence to use ICT and computing skills to further their learning and assist them in everyday life.
ICT in the 21st Century has the power to make a significant contribution to teaching and learning across all subjects and ages, and so Computing is taught as both discrete lessons and as part of the wider curriculum. This helps to promote greater awareness and understanding of the role and uses of technology in the modern world.
INTENT
When planning and teaching Computing at The John Wesley CEM Primary School, we believe that it is an essential part of the curriculum; a subject that not only stands alone but should also be an integral part of all learning. Computing, in general, is a significant part of everyone’s daily life and children should be at the forefront of new technology, with a thirst for learning what is out there. Computing within schools can therefore provide a wealth of learning opportunities and transferrable skills explicitly within the Computing lesson and across other curriculum subjects.
We use a range of cloud based learning tools and resources that celebrate the achievements of the whole person, to reach their maximum potential, where children flourish and are all actively engaged in an e-confident environment. Empowering home, school and wider community involvement for all pupils to have equality of opportunity.
Through the study of Computing, children will be able to develop a wide range of fundamental skills, knowledge and understanding that will actually equip them for the rest of their lives. Computers and technology are such a huge part of everyday life that our children would be at a disadvantage if they were not exposed to a thorough and robust Computing curriculum. Children must be taught ‘Computational Thinking’ in order to provide them with essential knowledge that will enable them to participate effectively and safely in the digital world beyond our gates.
IMPLEMENTATION
In Key Stage 1, the children will learn to understand what algorithms are and how they are implemented as programs on digital devices. They will be shown how to use a range of technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content, as well as recognise common uses of information technology beyond school. They will be taught to use technology safely and respectfully; keep personal information private; and identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies.
In Key Stage 2, the children will design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems. They will use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs, use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and correct errors in programs. Children will be taught to understand computer networks, including the internet, and the opportunities they offer for communication. They will use search technologies effectively and be discerning in evaluating digital content. Children will be taught to select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals. They will use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact.
Even our children in Early Years provision will be exposed to the understanding of internet safety as they explore the world around them and how technology is an everyday part of their learning and understanding of the world.
Online safety is an integral part of our Computing curriculum from EYFS to Y6 and is an expectation of our safe behaviours online for our children. As such it is taught as stand alone sessions and throughout the year, linked to real life examples and the uses of different software and applications.
IMPACT
After the implementation of this robust Computing curriculum, children at JWS will be digitally literate, with purpose and enjoyment, able to join the rest of the world on its digital platform. They will be equipped, not only with the skills and knowledge to use technology effectively and for their own benefit, but more importantly – safely. The biggest impact we want it to have on our children is that they understand the consequences of using the internet and that they are also aware of how to keep themselves safe online.
As children become more confident in their abilities in Computing they are able to evaluate the benefits of technology and its impact on society. They will become more independent and develop, key life skills such as problem-solving, logical thinking and self-evaluation become second nature.
Equipment
At John Wesley CEM Primary School, we believe it is important for children to be able to see how the skills they are learning in school have practical applications in life and the outside world. To help achieve this, we try to give them access to a wide variety of equipment, resources and applications.
We have a ICT suite with over 30 desktop computers, so everyone in the class can develop their typing and mouse skills.
We also have 4 trolleys, each containing a class set of ipads that are shared across key stage 1 and 2. Every class has a daily stack of ipads for children to use individually and independently to support their Reading, Maths and Phonics development. They are also used to support SEND pupils as a resource or to offer differentiated tasks and delivery. As each trolley contains enough for everyone in the class, they are often used by a whole class to deepen their learning of other subjects within the curriculum, through the use of apps and search engines; or as a way to share their learning in these areas, for example by making podcasts or instructional videos.
Our beebots are used across Foundation and Key Stage 1; and the micro:bits are introduced in Year 3 and continued to be explored throughout Key Stage 2, so that by Year 6, pupils can better apply their understanding of the technology for use in Science and D&T applications.
Communication
The John Wesley CEM Primary School is a Seesaw School.
Every class has their own Seesaw page which enables communication between school and home. From Year 1, each child in the class has their own secure access, so they can share exciting events from home, as well as their successes in school. The secure nature of the site means that a class can share photos of their in-school activities to only the parents of the pupils in their class and year group, which means that's Sports Day events and school trips can be celebrated at home as well.
Seesaw is also a platform for pupils to record their in-class learning in a wide range of ways, including uploading documents, creating voices notes and making videos or artwork. This can then be shared with their family at home so successes can be celebrated.
The termly Home Learning Activities and Spelling lists are posted to Seesaw as activities, so pupils can complete their learning at home in any manner they choose and upload it through tablet, computer or a parent's phone, for it to be shared with their class.
Successes
In September 2024, children from Key Stage 2 who had been taking part in a Computational Thinking lunchtime puzzle club, took part in the national Bebras Challenge. Isla (Hawthorn), Anna, Willow, Thomas (all Cedar) and Benji (Oak) who scored in the top 10% of their age group, for the whole country!
In January 2025, was awarded the I Belong certificate, for Improving gender balance in computer science.
As part of this, in March 2025, 8 female pupils from Year 5&6 took part in an I Belong Enrichment workshop at Canterbury Christchurch University: Movement controlled light, girls only.
Clubs
Autumn Term
Wednesday lunchtime : KS2 puzzle club
Thursday afterschool : Girls only computing Y3-6
Thursday afterschool : Lego Animation Y4,5,6
Spring Term
Thursday afterschool : Girls only computing Y3-6
Thursday afterschool : Lego Animation Y4,5,6