Computing

At Parkside Academy, Computing is a core part of our curriculum, equipping pupils with the digital skills, creativity, and confidence needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Our lessons nurture curiosity, problem-solving, and computational thinking while promoting safe, responsible, and respectful online behaviour. Through engaging, hands-on learning, pupils explore computer science, information technology, and digital literacy, preparing them for future careers and empowering them to participate confidently in a digital society. We are committed to inclusivity, ensuring every child can access technology, build independence, and achieve their full potential. 

It is our aim for children to master the three core areas of Computing (Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy) to such an extent that children are able to pursue careers within Computing and make effective use of technology in their everyday lives.

Computing is taught through the Teach Computing scheme of work, which provides a structured, progressive curriculum aligned with the National Curriculum. This scheme covers four key areas: Computer Science, Information Technology, Digital Literacy, and Online Safety. Each year group builds on prior learning through practical, creative, and problem-solving activities, enabling pupils to develop confidence and competence with a wide range of software, devices, and digital platforms. Online safety is embedded throughout, reinforced in lessons, assemblies, and PSHE, ensuring pupils become responsible digital citizens. Each unit is carefully sequenced to enable pupils to purposefully layer learning and facilitate the acquisition and retention of key knowledge. Individual lessons build on knowledge that has previously been taught. Outcomes are revisited regularly as part of a spaced retrieval practice method to ensure pupils retain key knowledge and information.

Resources
Every classroom at our school is equipped with interactive screens, and each child has their own device. Technology is an important part of our daily learning, not just in Computing lessons but across all subjects, helping to make teaching and learning more dynamic and engaging. We use a wide range of high-quality software and subscribe to a variety of educational websites to give pupils extra opportunities to practise and strengthen their skills. This approach creates an exciting, interactive learning environment where children are inspired to learn and thrive through technology.