"The computer is the most extraordinary tool ever invented by man. It’s a tool that can change the world, and we must give our children the power to control it." – Steve Jobs

Intent
At Our Lady of Lourdes, our computing curriculum is designed to prepare pupils for a rapidly evolving digital world. We aim to equip them with life-skills that foster creativity, responsibility, and adaptability with new technologies. Through our programme, we cultivate digital literacy, enabling children to express themselves, think critically, and solve problems effectively. By doing so, we empower our pupils to become safe, capable, and resilient digital citizens, ready for future learning and workplaces.

Implementation
Our computing curriculum follows the 'Switched on Computing' scheme by Rising Stars, aligned with the National Curriculum and structured to ensure progressive learning across each year group. To keep our curriculum current with the latest technological trends, we also integrate Mr P’s ICT resources, which provide practical, up-to-date strategies to teach digital skills and prepare pupils to navigate an ever-changing digital landscape. This combination helps us ensure that pupils are well-equipped to adapt to a rapidly evolving digital world.

The scheme’s ‘spiral’ approach means that key themes and concepts recur, allowing pupils to revisit and deepen their skills and understanding each year. Each year’s units cover computing foundations, practical applications, and ethical implications, ensuring a balanced approach across the computer science, information technology, and digital literacy strands. Lessons encourage collaborative learning, creativity, and problem-solving, supporting pupils in building confidence and fluency with technology.

Impact
By the end of their journey at Our Lady of Lourdes, pupils will have developed a solid foundation in digital skills, enabling them to engage in a digitally connected world with confidence and insight. They will possess the resilience to tackle challenges, the ability to work well with others, and the critical thinking skills needed to navigate a technology-driven society responsibly. Our curriculum equips students not only to be competent users of technology but also thoughtful, proactive digital citizens who can apply their learning to make meaningful contributions in both academic and everyday settings.

Click the link below for more information regarding 'Switched on Computing' and Mr P's ICT.

Cross-Curricular Learning

At Our Lady of Lourdes, we believe that computing should not be confined to isolated lessons but should be integrated across all areas of the curriculum. Technology plays a crucial role in enhancing and supporting learning in subjects such as mathematics, science, literacy, and the arts. Through the use of digital tools, pupils can apply their computing skills in real-world contexts, whether it’s using spreadsheets to analyse data in maths, conducting research for history projects, or creating digital artwork in art lessons. By embedding computing throughout the curriculum, we enable students to make meaningful connections between subjects, develop their problem-solving abilities, and gain a deeper understanding of how technology can be used to enrich their learning experience. This approach helps pupils see the relevance of digital skills in their everyday lives, preparing them for future success in an increasingly digital world.