Computing
Intent
At our school, we aim to provide a high-quality computing curriculum that inspires pupils to become confident, responsible and creative users of technology. We want our children to develop the skills and understanding they need to use computational thinking to explore, understand and shape the world around them.
Technology is a central part of everyday life, and we believe it is important to teach pupils how to use it positively, safely and responsibly. Through our computing curriculum, we help children become digitally literate, enabling them to express themselves, develop their ideas and communicate effectively using information and communication technology.
We recognise that technology offers exciting opportunities, but also that children need to understand how to make informed choices about its use. By modelling positive use of technology across school, we aim to equip pupils with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the digital world safely and thoughtfully.
Our curriculum is designed to ensure that all pupils:
- understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation
- analyse problems computationally and gain repeated experience in writing computer programs to solve them
- evaluate and apply information technology, including new and unfamiliar technologies, to solve problems
- become responsible, competent, confident and creative users of technology
Implementation
Computing is taught through discrete lessons using the NCCE computing curriculum, which provides a carefully sequenced and progressive structure for learning. This ensures that pupils build their knowledge and skills step by step, while making clear connections to previous learning.
Our curriculum is organised around the three key strands of computing:
- Computer Science
- Information Technology
- Digital Literacy
Across the year, pupils study units covering computing systems and networks, creating media, data and information, and programming. The NCCE scheme supports both staff subject knowledge and pupil progression, while also allowing teachers to adapt learning to meet the needs of their class.
Not all learning requires a digital device, which means pupils also have opportunities to develop their computational thinking and understanding of how technology works through unplugged activities and discussion. New vocabulary is introduced regularly and revisited throughout the year to deepen understanding and support fluency.
Teachers assess pupils throughout each lesson against the learning intention, providing support and challenge where needed so that all children can achieve well. Retrieval practice is built into the curriculum to help pupils remember and apply prior learning.
Online safety is a key part of our curriculum. Each year, pupils across EYFS, KS1 and KS2 take part in Safer Internet Day, which helps to reinforce safe and responsible use of technology. We also provide enrichment opportunities such as:
- Digital Leaders in KS2, who help promote the safe and effective use of technology across school
- opportunities to use iPads, Chromebooks, Code Bugs and Bee-Bots to support learning
Impact
As pupils move through school, they develop the knowledge, confidence and creativity to use technology successfully in a range of contexts. They learn to approach technology with curiosity, responsibility and care, and are able to discuss its role in their learning and in everyday life.
By the time they leave our school, pupils will:
- be confident, responsible and creative users of technology
- understand the fundamental principles of computer science
- analyse problems computationally and write programs to solve them
- have a secure understanding of how to use technology safely and effectively
- be well prepared for the opportunities and challenges of an increasingly digital world
Pupil Voice
- Children enjoy computing. From the pupil voice survey, children were asked what they would improve and nearly all the children said they would like to have computing more often and for longer.
- All children have been taught about E-Safety and know what to do if they feel unsafe online. However, password security was something children felt less confident about.
- Year 5 children really enjoyed using the crumble kits.