Computing is an essential part of modern life and plays a significant role in education, employment and communication. At Birch Hill Primary School, we aim to equip pupils with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to participate safely, responsibly and confidently in an increasingly digital world.

Our computing curriculum is designed around the three key strands of the National Curriculum:

• Computer Science – understanding how computers work and developing programming skills.
• Information Technology – using technology purposefully to create, organise, store and present information.
• Digital Literacy – becoming safe, responsible and discerning users of digital technology.

We believe technology should enhance learning across the curriculum. Digital tools are used to support creativity, collaboration, communication and problem-solving in a wide range of subjects.

Through high-quality computing lessons, pupils learn to understand the principles of information and computation, develop computational thinking skills, and apply their knowledge through practical programming and digital projects. We aim to prepare children for a rapidly evolving technological world and inspire them to become confident and capable digital citizens.

National Curriculum Aims

The National Curriculum for Computing aims 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 in computational terms and gain practical experience of 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 information and communication technology.

Computing Programme of Study:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7c576be5274a1b00423213/PRIMARY_national_curriculum_-_Computing.pdf

Implementation

At Birch Hill Primary School, we use the Teach Computing Curriculum, developed by the National Centre for Computing Education and supported by the Department for Education. The curriculum is carefully sequenced to build pupils' knowledge and skills progressively throughout their primary education.

Pupils learn across the three strands of Computing: Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy. Lessons provide opportunities for children to develop programming skills, create digital content, solve problems, understand computer networks, and learn how to stay safe online.

Online safety is woven throughout the curriculum and reinforced through dedicated teaching, assemblies and wider school initiatives, helping pupils to become responsible and respectful users of technology.

Technology is also used across the wider curriculum to support learning, creativity and communication, ensuring that pupils are well prepared for the next stage of their education and for life in a digital world.

Impact

Our computing curriculum ensures pupils leave Birch Hill Primary School as confident, competent and responsible users of technology. Through a carefully sequenced curriculum, children build secure knowledge and skills over time, enabling them to apply their learning independently across a range of contexts.

By the end of Year 6, pupils are able to:

• Understand key concepts in computer science, including algorithms, programming, networks and data.
• Design, create and debug simple programs using a range of programming environments.
• Use technology purposefully to create, organise, evaluate and present information.
• Demonstrate computational thinking skills, including logical reasoning, problem-solving and resilience.
• Use digital technologies safely, respectfully and responsibly, recognising how to keep themselves and others safe online.
• Make informed choices about their use of technology and understand its role in the wider world.

We measure the impact of our computing curriculum through:

• Ongoing teacher assessment during lessons.
• Review of pupils' digital work and outcomes.
• Pupil discussions and demonstrations of learning.
• Assessment against the knowledge and skills progression within the Teach Computing Curriculum.
• Monitoring of online safety understanding and application.
• Subject leader monitoring, including lesson visits, work reviews and pupil voice activities.

As a result, pupils develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to succeed in secondary education and to participate confidently in an increasingly digital society.

Further information about the curriculum can be found at:
https://teachcomputing.org/

Parents may also find our Parenting in a Digital World guide useful in supporting safe and positive technology use at home.