Computing

At St Cecilia’s Church of England Primary, computing is rooted in Christian values that promote curiosity, creativity, and compassion. The school prepares pupils to thrive in a digital world by developing their computational thinking, problem-solving, and ethical awareness. Learners leave St Cecilia’s confident, reflective, and ready to use technology positively and responsibly.

Curriculum Intent

Inspire: Foster curiosity, creativity, and resilience through meaningful, hands-on activities such as coding games, digital art, and animations.
Impart Knowledge: Build deep understanding of computing concepts and how technology connects to everyday life.
Develop Communication: Encourage pupils to use precise vocabulary, collaborate digitally, and communicate responsibly online.
Be Inclusive: Ensure all learners can access, engage, and succeed through scaffolding, adaptive resources, and diverse representation.
Promote Citizenship & Spirituality: Teach digital ethics, online safety, and responsible technology use with an awareness of moral and social impact.

Implementation
We use the Kapow Primary Computing Scheme which ensures comprehensive coverage of the National Curriculum through a spiral progression model. Pupils revisit key knowledge and skills with increasing complexity each year.

Curriculum Structure: Computing is taught weekly in Years 1–6, with EYFS children introduced to technology through play, exploration, and discussion.

Teaching Approach: Lessons follow a consistent structure—recap and recall, attention grabber, main event, and reflection—to reinforce learning and memory retention.

Key Strands: Teaching covers Computer Science, Information Technology, and Digital Literacy, organised into five areas:

1. Computer Systems & Networking – understanding hardware, software, and the internet.
2. Programming – writing, debugging, and improving code.
3. Creating Media – producing and editing digital content.
4. Data Handling – collecting, analysing, and interpreting data.
5. Online Safety – developing awareness of digital wellbeing, privacy, and respectful online behaviour.

Pedagogy: Lessons emphasise computational thinking, creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving. Teachers use questioning, modelling, and practical exploration to deepen understanding.

Impact/ Assessment

Formative: Questioning, retrieval practice, and peer discussion to adapt teaching in real time.
Summative: End-of-unit quizzes and knowledge catchers measure long-term understanding and progression.