At West Kirby Primary School, we aim to provide a high-quality computing education that enables our pupils to become healthy, ecologically aware and responsible global citizens, fully prepared for life in an increasingly digital world. Technology is changing the way we live, learn and work, and through our computing curriculum we equip children with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to use technology safely, creatively and purposefully.
Our curriculum follows the Teach Computing Curriculum, ensuring full coverage of the National Curriculum and a clearly sequenced progression of skills from Year 1 to Year 6. We believe computing is a fundamental part of every child’s education and essential for success in the 21st century. Through computing, pupils develop key life skills, including computational thinking, problem-solving, resilience, creativity and critical thinking, enabling them to become confident, autonomous and independent users of technology.
We intend for all pupils to develop computational thinking skills such as sequencing, pattern recognition, abstraction and logical reasoning, and to understand how technology is used in the wider world. Pupils are taught to use technology as a tool for learning, creativity and problem-solving rather than simply for consumption, and to act as responsible digital citizens who use technology safely and socially responsibly.
We aim to ensure that our computing curriculum is accessible to every child. The use of iPads across the curriculum supports inclusion, accessibility and creativity, allowing pupils to engage with computing concepts through age-appropriate and intuitive tools, while also enhancing learning across all subject areas. Through their computing education, pupils gain confidence and enjoyment, develop an awareness of future career opportunities, and are well prepared for secondary education and the ever-evolving digital world.
At West Kirby Primary School, computing is taught weekly through discrete lessons using a progressive, skills-based curriculum adapted from the Teach Computing Curriculum. This ensures full coverage of the National Curriculum and provides a clearly sequenced progression of knowledge and skills from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2. The curriculum has been developed by subject experts and is underpinned by the latest pedagogical research, enabling pupils to plan, design, create, program, test, debug and evaluate their work, while developing confidence, independence and a lifelong love of learning.
Our computing curriculum is organised into interconnected learning units that reflect the three core strands of the National Curriculum: computer science, information technology and digital literacy. These are further structured through the key areas of computing systems and networks, programming, creating media, data and information, and digital literacy and online safety. Units are carefully sequenced so that knowledge and skills build progressively year on year, ensuring depth of learning and continuity across the school.
Teaching focuses on developing computational thinking skills through practical, hands-on experiences using iPads. Pupils begin programming in Key Stage 1 using age-appropriate tools such as ScratchJr and robot apps to develop sequencing and logical thinking. As pupils progress, repetition, selection and variables are introduced and revisited through Scratch and micro:bit MakeCode. Data handling develops from simple grouping and pictograms to the use of spreadsheets and databases, while media creation progresses from digital painting and photography to video production, web design and 3D modelling. Applications are carefully selected to support learning objectives, ensuring that the curriculum intent drives the choice of technology rather than the device itself.
Teachers use consistent language, modelling and guided practice, providing opportunities for pupils to test, debug, refine and evaluate their work. Lessons are adapted to meet the needs of all pupils, including those with SEND and disadvantaged pupils, through scaffolded tasks and the flexible, accessible nature of iPad technology. Where appropriate, meaningful links are made between computing and the wider curriculum to support learning across subjects.
Online safety is a fundamental and embedded element of our computing curriculum. It is taught both discretely and revisited regularly in context, ensuring pupils understand how to stay safe, respectful and responsible when using technology. Children build online resilience through the Project Evolve – Education for a Connected World framework, which supports an empowering and age-appropriate approach to online safety education. Key issues such as cyberbullying, online wellbeing, screen time, reliability of information and stranger danger are reinforced through computing lessons, PSHE, assemblies and whole-school initiatives.
As part of our commitment to digital safety and leadership, we participate in the Childnet Digital Leaders Programme, enabling pupils to develop leadership and communication skills while promoting safe and positive online behaviours across the school community. We also use National Online Safety resources, deliver workshops and assemblies, share regular updates with pupils and parents, distribute a monthly e-safety newsletter and participate annually in Safer Internet Day.
Summative assessment in Key Stage 2 ensures that pupils’ knowledge and skills are measured and evaluated effectively, while ongoing formative assessment informs teaching and supports pupil progress. Through this structured, inclusive and iPad-led approach, we ensure that all pupils develop the digital literacy, confidence and resilience needed to thrive in an increasingly connected world
Impact
Our computing curriculum has a significant impact on pupils’ confidence, independence and creativity as learners. Through a carefully sequenced and progressive curriculum, pupils develop strong computing skills alongside a growing understanding of how technology supports their learning, wellbeing and everyday lives. By the end of each year, pupils have built upon prior knowledge, developed new skills and gained a secure understanding of online safety and how to keep themselves safe in an increasingly digital world.
Pupils are encouraged to enjoy and value computing, engaging not only with how technology works but also why it is used. Regular opportunities for discussion, reflection and evaluation enable pupils to articulate the purpose and impact of their learning, helping them to recognise the importance of balance when using technology and supporting the development of healthy, responsible digital habits that extend beyond primary school.
By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils are confident, capable and responsible users of technology. They can design, write and debug programs using sequencing, repetition, selection and variables; collect, analyse and present data using appropriate digital tools; and create purposeful digital content for a range of audiences. Pupils can explain, at an age-appropriate level, how digital systems and networks work and demonstrate safe, respectful and responsible online behaviour.
Progress and impact are demonstrated through pupils’ outcomes, digital portfolios and the record of curriculum coverage across year groups. Pupils confidently use subject-specific vocabulary and apply their computing knowledge and skills independently, from accessing age-appropriate applications in the early years to using a wide range of digital tools with increasing autonomy in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Work produced shows clear progression in both technical skills and computational thinking.
Pupils can clearly talk about their learning, explain how their skills have developed over time and apply prior knowledge to new challenges. Through discussions and feedback, pupils speak enthusiastically about computing and demonstrate a strong awareness of both the opportunities and potential risks of being online, confidently explaining how to keep themselves safe.
The structured use of the Teach Computing Curriculum, supported by iPad technology, ensures that pupils leave Year 6 well prepared for the demands of secondary computing. They have a secure foundation of digital literacy, problem-solving and critical thinking skills, equipping them to thrive in the modern digital world and make informed, responsible choices about their use of technology. Ultimately, the school vision is achieved:
To create a happy, caring community where all members are included, secure and confident, have an equal opportunity to fulfil their potential and to develop the skills necessary to make a valuable contribution to society, both now and in the future.
Computer Subject Leader: Mrs McCann