Our Vision for Computing

“Preparing our pupils for the digital world; unlocking the potential”

Intent – What are we trying to achieve with our curriculum?

At St Clare’s, we aim to provide an ambitious, challenging, relevant and inclusive Computing curriculum that equips our pupils with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Technology is an integral part of modern life, transforming the way we learn, communicate, work and spend our leisure time. We want our pupils to become confident, capable and responsible participants in this rapidly changing world.

Our curriculum aims to develop pupils as ‘thinkers of the future’, embracing and utilising new technologies in a safe, responsible and socially conscious way. We want children to become autonomous and independent users of technology, gaining confidence, creativity and enjoyment from their learning, whilst developing the resilience and problem-solving skills needed to overcome challenges.

The core of our Computing curriculum is Computer Science, where pupils develop an understanding of algorithms, logic, programming, data representation and how digital systems work. Building on this, pupils develop their Information Technology skills, learning how to select, use and combine a range of digital tools to create, organise, manipulate and communicate content. Through Digital Literacy, pupils learn how to use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly, developing the critical thinking skills needed to navigate the online world.

We want pupils to:

• develop computational thinking, creativity, resilience and problem-solving skills;
• understand how digital systems and computer networks work;
• design, write and debug programs and algorithms;
• become confident and competent users of a wide range of technology;
• use technology creatively to support learning across the curriculum;
• understand how to use the internet and digital technologies safely and responsibly;
• develop critical thinking when researching, evaluating and communicating information;
• understand their responsibilities as digital citizens within their school, local and global communities;
• recognise the opportunities and challenges presented by new and emerging technologies;
• develop an awareness of the wide range of careers and opportunities available through Computing and technology.

Ultimately, we want children to know more, remember more and understand more, so that they leave primary school as digitally literate, confident and responsible users of technology who are well prepared for secondary education, future employment and life in the wider digital world.

Implementation – How is our curriculum delivered?

At St Clare’s, Computing is taught through discrete, planned Computing lessons, with meaningful opportunities to apply and consolidate skills across the wider curriculum. Our Computing curriculum is closely linked, wherever appropriate, to our CUSP Curriculum for each half term. This enables pupils to make meaningful connections between subjects and provides opportunities to use Computing skills in authentic contexts.

Our curriculum is based upon the Teach Computing approach and is designed to provide clear progression in knowledge, skills and understanding. The curriculum is organised around the three key strands of Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy, ensuring that pupils develop a broad and balanced understanding of Computing.

The curriculum follows a spiral approach, with key concepts, knowledge and skills revisited regularly. As pupils progress through the school, learning is consolidated and built upon, enabling children to make connections with previous learning and reducing the impact of forgetting. New learning is carefully sequenced towards clearly defined end points.

Through our planning, we ensure that pupils:

• understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of Computer Science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation;
• analyse problems in computational terms and develop practical experience of programming to solve problems;
• design, write and debug programs for a range of purposes;
• understand how computer networks and the internet work and the opportunities they provide;
• use search technologies effectively and critically evaluate digital information;
• select and use a range of software and digital devices to create purposeful content;
• develop their understanding of online safety, privacy, responsible behaviour and digital resilience.

Early Years Foundation Stage

Children in the Early Years are introduced to the foundations of Computing through their everyday experiences of technology and the world around them. Computational thinking concepts and problem-solving skills are developed through appropriate activities and experiences, supporting children’s understanding of sequencing, patterns, instructions and logical thinking.

Online safety is introduced in an age-appropriate way, helping children to begin to understand that technology should be used safely and responsibly.

Key Stage 1

In Key Stage 1, pupils develop an understanding of what algorithms are and how they are implemented as programs on digital devices. They learn that programs follow precise instructions and are taught to create and debug simple programs and use logical reasoning to predict behaviour.

Children develop their ability to use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content. They begin to recognise common uses of information technology beyond school and develop an understanding of how technology can support their learning.

Online safety is embedded throughout the curriculum. Pupils learn to use technology safely and respectfully, keep personal information private, recognise appropriate and inappropriate content and identify trusted adults and sources of support when they have concerns.

Key Stage 2

In Key Stage 2, pupils build upon their previous learning by designing, writing and debugging increasingly complex programs. They use sequence, selection and repetition and develop their ability to decompose problems into smaller parts. Pupils use logical reasoning to explain how algorithms work and identify and correct errors in programs.

Children develop their understanding of computer networks, including the internet, and explore the opportunities technology provides for communication and collaboration. They learn to use search technologies effectively and to critically evaluate digital content, considering how search results are selected and ranked.

Pupils select, use and combine a variety of software and digital devices to create programs, systems and content that fulfil given purposes. They develop their ability to communicate, create and present information using technology while continuing to develop their understanding of online safety, privacy, responsible behaviour and digital citizenship.

Inclusion and accessibility

Our Computing curriculum is inclusive and ambitious. We believe that every child should have the opportunity to develop their Computing knowledge and skills, regardless of starting point or need. Lessons are carefully planned and appropriately scaffolded so that all pupils can access the same ambitious learning objectives.

Where appropriate, pupils are provided with additional resources such as visual prompts, worked examples, vocabulary support and structured guidance. Exploratory and challenging activities allow pupils to deepen their understanding, apply their knowledge in different contexts and make connections with other areas of learning.

Teachers make appropriate adaptations to ensure that pupils with SEND and disadvantaged pupils can participate fully in Computing lessons and make progress from their individual starting points.

Technology and resources

Pupils have access to a range of hardware and software, including desktop computers, iPads, Chromebooks and other digital technologies. Classrooms are equipped with appropriate technology to support teaching and learning.

Google Education tools provide pupils with opportunities to create, collaborate, communicate and access their learning both in school and remotely. Computing is also supported by our central technical team through NPCAT.

Where appropriate, pupils will also experience ‘unplugged’ Computing activities, enabling them to develop computational thinking and understand the principles behind Computing without relying solely on digital devices.

Assessment

Assessment is an integral part of our Computing curriculum. Teachers use formative assessment throughout lessons through questioning, observation, discussion and assessment of pupils’ work. This allows misconceptions to be identified and addressed promptly.

Assessment information is used to inform future teaching, identify gaps and ensure that pupils build securely on prior learning. From Key Stage 2, appropriate summative assessment opportunities, including quizzes and assessment rubrics, support teachers in evaluating pupils’ knowledge and understanding.

Pupil work, Google Classroom evidence, floorbooks, learning walks and pupil voice provide further evidence of progress and inform future curriculum planning.

Impact – What difference is our curriculum having on pupils?

Our approach to Computing results in a fun, engaging and high-quality Computing education that provides pupils with the foundations they need to understand and participate confidently in the digital world.

The impact of our curriculum is evident when pupils can demonstrate that they know more, remember more and can do more. Pupils increasingly demonstrate confidence when using a range of hardware, software and digital tools, while also understanding when and why particular technologies should be used.

Through Computing, pupils develop:

• confidence and independence when using technology;
• computational thinking and problem-solving skills;
• creativity and resilience;
• programming and debugging skills;
• critical thinking and digital research skills;
• an understanding of online safety and responsible digital citizenship;
• the ability to use technology effectively across the wider curriculum;
• an understanding of how technology can support communication and collaboration;
• awareness of the opportunities provided by Computing and technology in further education and future careers.

Our curriculum ensures that pupils have opportunities to revisit and apply their knowledge and skills, enabling them to make connections between different areas of learning and build securely towards future learning.

We want our pupils to leave St Clare’s as confident, creative, resilient and responsible digital citizens, equipped not only to use technology effectively but also to understand, question and shape the digital world around them.

Computing provides pupils with important foundations for secondary school, further education and future employment, while developing the skills and attitudes needed to navigate an ever-changing technological landscape safely, responsibly and successfully.

Our Digital Leaders further enhance the profile of Computing across school, supporting pupils and staff and providing opportunities for children to develop leadership, communication and responsibility.

Through cross-curricular opportunities, enrichment activities, Computing clubs and wider experiences with technology, we aim to inspire pupils to recognise the breadth of opportunities available to them and to see themselves as active participants in the future of technology.

St Clare’s Long-term Plan for Computing and Progression of Skills

St Clare’s Vocabulary for Computing

GLOSSARY

This is a glossary of terms in the computer science context – the words may sometimes (but not always) have different meanings in other contexts.