Computing

“What a computer is to me is the most remarkable tool that we have ever come up with. It’s the equivalent of a bicycle for our minds.” Steve Jobs

Intent: Digital technology is driving extraordinary global changes that some are calling the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Navigating these changes effectively and safely requires a significant understanding of digital literacy, information technology and computer science. Whilst ensuring they understand the advantages and disadvantages associated with online experiences, we want children to develop as respectful, responsible and confident users of technology, aware of measures that can be taken to keep themselves and others safe online. Our aim is to provide a computing curriculum that is designed to balance acquiring a broad and deep knowledge alongside opportunities to apply skills in various digital contexts.

Implementation: At our school, pupils develop knowledge in computing through exploring through three main content areas of computer science, information technology and digital literacy. These ‘pillars’ of knowledge are taught progressively and accurately reflect the requirements of the National Curriculum. 

Our Computing curriculum is carefully sequenced for both coverage and progression. Computing is taught in discrete computing lessons. Teachers use the ‘Teach Computing Scheme’ published by the National Centre for Computing Education. Every lesson has been planned so that it can meet the needs of all of our pupils. The scheme aligns with the National Curriculum ensuring both coverage and progression. 

The scheme provides the rich vocabulary required to support pupils’ computational thinking, opportunities to experience a range of tools and applications whilst ensuring that all learning builds towards achieving specific goals. As well as this, it provides a broad range of curriculum focused activities, tools and programmes, all of which support and inspire learning. The units taught are based as a spiral curriculum. This means each of the themes is visited at least annually and pupils revisit each theme through a new unit that consolidates and builds on prior learning within that theme. The recursive style helps pupils learn and remember more as topics are revisited and connections made within a theme in consecutive years.  

At St John’s we follow the Project Evolve online safety scheme. Half termly units have been sequenced to ensure children build a secure understanding of how to keep themselves safe online, starting at a young age. Teachers adjust unit coverage based on initial assessments to build on prior learning and address any current issues. In addition, the school promotes Safer Internet Day each year. At the school there is a committed and effective pupil group who have a vital role in the education of other pupils. The Digital Leaders are enthusiastic, well informed and passionate about their job and have a huge impact on the online safety knowledge of their peers.’

In 2023 St John’s was reaccredited with the 360 Degree Online Safety Mark.

EYFS: Computing in EYFS introduces digital exploration. Children use simple devices like tablets or programmable toys, such as Bee-Bots, to follow instructions or create patterns. They learn basic skills, like pressing buttons or swiping screens, linking to ‘Understanding the World’. Activities focus on cause and effect—e.g., pressing a key makes a sound. Adults, encourage problem-solving, like fixing a toy’s path.

Technology is woven into play, enhancing creativity and collaboration. Safety is introduced, like using devices responsibly. These experiences build confidence with technology, preparing children for coding and digital literacy in later education.

Impact: Assessment is ongoing and informs future teaching building a picture of the child’s attainment and progress over time. Retrieval tasks are included throughout a learning journey to help support teacher assessment in seeing what children know and remember. This gives teachers the information that they need to build a holistic picture of each individual child and enables them to plan further support and opportunities for retrieval; direct teaching and/or adaptation in future units. Teachers record on assessment grids what children know, remember and can do to help inform future units and teachers. The outcomes children achieve each term are moderated and monitored by the subject leader, alongside pupil discussion groups.

Curriculum Plans

Click on the links below to download the whole school curriculum overview and knowledge progression  for computing:

Whole school Computing overview

Computing knowledge progression

Online Safety overview and progression