Our Curriculum

Computing

At Sullivan, we want our children to embrace the use of technology and develop into resilient, respectful users who know how to keep themselves safe in the digital world. We aim to deliver the national curriculum for computing in a balanced, stimulating and creative way, providing children with access to a variety of hardware, software and unplugged resources, so that they develop the computing skills needed to flourish in tomorrow’s world. Our broad and balanced curriculum focuses on a progression of skills in computer science, information technology and digital literacy, and the lessons are planned so that learning meets the needs of all pupils within the school. The development of computing skills begins in the EYFS as part of the Understanding the World Early Learning Goal. In KS1 and KS2, it is taught as a discrete subject and includes a strong focus on teaching pupils how to use technology safely and responsibly

How we teach computing and online safety

The school has adopted the Teach Computing curriculum because it is based on a spiral system, where themes and concepts are revisited regularly throughout KS1 and KS2. Topics in Y1 to Y6 are taught discreetly in half termly blocks in the order suggested by Teach Computing to ensure lessons build on prior learning. In the EYFS, computing is taught as part of continuous provision, covering key concepts in their Understanding of the World.

Each half termly block has a series of lessons that cover the core non-negotiable knowledge and resources and activities provided are adapted to meet the needs of all pupils. Content of lessons is broken down into small steps to allow for teacher modeling, guided practice, and independent study, including some unplugged activities.

To complement the eSafety objectives in Teach Computing, the school also uses Project Evolve to embed the 8 strands of the EFACW framework and further develop online safety education.

Knowledge maps are created each term to form a baseline of knowledge amongst pupils in two or three of the strands. Lessons are then chosen to target specific gaps in learning over the course of the term.

The school takes part in Internet Safety Day each year and promotes the use of eSafety to the parent body through regular information bulletins on the parent portal.

Lessons are complemented with Coding Club, which is open to key stage two pupils each term. Y6 Computing Prefects model good practice throughout the school and computing work is celebrated through the displays in the computer suite.