Through a modern, ambitious, and relevant computer curriculum, Lyndhurst Primary School strives to educate "thinkers of the future." We want students to actively participate in the digital world by teaching them computational thinking and creativity. We feel it is vital that children understand how to use ever-changing technology to express themselves, as learning tools, and to move their generation forward into the future.

While ensuring that they understand the benefits and drawbacks of online experiences, we want children to grow into respectful, responsible, and confident users of technology, aware of the precautions that may be taken to keep themselves safe online.

Implementation

We use the Teach Computing Curriculum, which covers all aspects of the National Curriculum. It was created by subject matter experts and is based on the most recent pedagogical research. The curriculum seeks to provide learners with the knowledge, skills, and understanding they need to flourish in today's and tomorrow's digital worlds. 

The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all students: 

• understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science and have repeated practical experience writing computer programmes  Computer science)
• are analytical problem solvers who can evaluate and implement information technology, even new or unfamiliar technologies. (Information technology) 
• are responsible, competent, confident, and creative users of information and communication technology. (Information literacy)

E-Safety and Digital Citizenship 

A key part of implementing our computing curriculum is ensuring our students' safety. We take online safety seriously and seek to teach children the skills they need to stay safe online.

Children develop online resilience by using the Education for a Connected World framework which intends to promote and broaden the provision of online safety education so that it is empowering, builds resilience, and affects positive culture change. 

Pupils at Lyndhurst will learn the theory of computing structures and systems whilst also having the opportunity to use digital hardware. Pupils will learn how to use both the Microsoft operating system and the apple IOS (using tablets). They will also learn to produce, edit and publish radio shows, podcasts and short films both in their classroom and in the Grove FM radio station.

There are lots of ways to help your child develop at computing at home. The easiest way is to simply let them use a computer to publish or produce things (letters, newsletters, films, podcasts or pieces of art). It's particularly helpful if you can then get them to 'teach' you how to do things as this supports their understanding of what they have done and develops their technical vocabulary.

You can also use coding apps such as Scratch which are free to use.