Computing

“Computing is not about computers any more. It is about living.” Nicholas Negroponte


Intent

At St Agnes C of E Primary School, we recognise that computing is an essential part of preparing our pupils for their future in an increasingly digital world.

Through our computing curriculum, we aim to:

  • Inspire curiosity and develop problem-solving skills

  • Equip every child with the digital skills and understanding they need to thrive in the modern world

  • Develop confident and responsible digital citizens

  • Provide knowledge and skills across the three key strands of computing: computer science, information technology, and digital literacy

Our curriculum ensures that:

  • Every child develops the essential digital competencies needed for their future

  • Internet safety is embedded throughout, so pupils understand how to stay safe online, protect their personal information, recognise online risks, and know where to seek help and support

  • Learning is engaging, progressive and builds systematically on prior knowledge

Implementation

Our computing curriculum is taught weekly to all year groups, ensuring consistent and progressive learning throughout the school.

Resources and teaching approach:

We use a carefully selected combination of high-quality resources to deliver our curriculum:

  • National Centre for Computing Education

  • Purple Mash

  • Unplugged Computing

  • Barefoot Computing

Curriculum structure:

Our curriculum builds systematically across the year groups:

  • Early years: Fundamental algorithms through hands-on unplugged activities

  • Older year groups: Coding, creating digital content, and understanding how technology works

  • Throughout: Internet safety woven into all computing teaching

The three key strands:

Every lesson and unit of work addresses one or more of the following:

  1. Computer science - understanding how digital systems work and programming

  2. Information technology - using technology to create, organise and communicate

  3. Digital literacy - using technology safely, respectfully and responsibly

Impact

Through our computing curriculum, pupils at St Agnes will:

  • Become confident and responsible digital citizens

  • Develop strong problem-solving skills and computational thinking

  • Have the digital skills and understanding needed to thrive in the modern world

  • Be able to code, create digital content, and understand how technology works

  • Stay safe online by understanding how to protect their personal information, recognise online risks, and know where to seek help and support

  • Build systematically on their prior learning, developing increasingly sophisticated computing skills year-on-year

  • Be curious about technology and inspired to explore its possibilities