Computing and Online Safety

Subject Lead: Miss Garner

The Nature of Computing

The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is an integral part of the National Curriculum and a key skill for everyday life. From computers and tablets to programmable robots and digital cameras, technology offers countless opportunities for children to acquire, organise, store, manipulate, interpret, communicate, and present information.

At Wrockwardine Wood Infant School and Oakengates Nursery Federation, we believe that every child is entitled to access high-quality hardware, software, and teaching. We are committed to providing a structured, progressive approach to developing the skills needed to use technology safely, responsibly, and creatively.

Curriculum Intent

A high-quality computing curriculum equips children with the confidence and capability to use digital technology throughout their lives. Our aim is to inspire and encourage children to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and interact with the world around them.

Our curriculum ensures that children have hands-on opportunities to explore and play with digital tools, helping them to become responsible, competent, confident, and creative users of information technology.

We aim for all children to:

• ✅ Understand how to use computing safely and responsibly, becoming informed digital citizens with a solid understanding of online safety and digital literacy

• ✅ Develop computational thinking skills through high-quality, carefully planned sequences of lessons

• ✅ Become confident, creative users of technology, able to select and use a range of digital tools

• ✅ Explore and experiment with both digital and non-digital technologies to build curiosity and engagement

• ✅ Understand and apply core computer science principles, including logic, debugging, and algorithms

• ✅ Express ideas and creativity through digital media, such as images, video, music, and presentations

• ✅ Make strong cross-curricular links with mathematics, science, and design & technology

• ✅ Learn to evaluate and apply information technology—including unfamiliar tools—to solve problems analytically

Knowledge and Skills Progression

Our Computing curriculum is structured around three key strands:

1. Computer Science – understanding how digital systems work and applying logic and algorithms to create simple programs

2. Information Technology – using technology to create, store, manipulate, and retrieve content

3. Digital Literacy – using technology safely, respectfully, and responsibly, including recognising acceptable/unacceptable behaviour and knowing how to report concerns

Online Safety

Online safety is embedded throughout the computing curriculum and supported through whole-school practice. We recognise that technology evolves rapidly, and safeguarding children online is an essential part of education.

Our school aims to:

• ✅ Have robust policies and procedures in place to ensure the online safety of all children, staff, volunteers, and governors

• ✅ Deliver an effective, proactive approach to online safety, empowering children to use technology—including mobile and smart devices—safely and respectfully

• ✅ Identify, intervene, and escalate online safety incidents appropriately through clear reporting mechanisms

• ✅ Teach children how to be safe, smart, and responsible digital citizens, both in and out of school

Online safety is taught explicitly through the computing curriculum, PSHEE, and during themed events such as Safer Internet Day.

Please click the links below to access the following documents for Computing and Online Safety: