At Alkerden, we believe computing education is essential for preparing learners to thrive in a digital world. Through our carefully sequenced Computing curriculum, we aim to equip every learner with the skills, understanding and confidence to use technology purposefully, creatively and responsibly.

Our curriculum is designed to ensure that all learners:

• Understand digital systems and computer science principles
  Learners develop a secure understanding of how digital systems work, including hardware, software and networks, and gain insight into the fundamental principles of computer science.
• Develop computational thinking and problem-solving skills
  Through structured and progressive learning, learner learn to plan, design, write and debug programs. They build logical reasoning and algorithmic thinking skills that enable them to solve increasingly complex problems.
• Use information technology effectively
  Learners use a range of digital tools to store, retrieve, manipulate and present information. These skills support learning across the wider curriculum and prepare pupils for real-world applications.
• Become digitally literate and responsible users of technology
  Pupils learn to evaluate digital content critically, communicate and collaborate safely online, and understand how to use technology in a respectful, responsible and secure way.
• Explore creativity through computing
  The curriculum provides opportunities for learners to express themselves creatively, using technology to create media, present ideas and develop solutions to real-world challenges.
• Prepare for the future
  Our approach ensures learners gain the knowledge and skills needed for a smooth transition to secondary education and for life in an ever-evolving, technology-rich society.

Through the Kapow Computing curriculum, we aim to nurture learners who are curious, critical thinkers, creative innovators and confident users of technology, ready to participate fully in the digital world.

Computing at Alkerden is taught across all year groups from Early Years through to the end of primary, following our carefully structured and progressive Computing curriculum. Learning is sequenced to ensure that knowledge and skills build cumulatively over time, enabling learners to deepen their understanding and apply their learning with increasing independence.

Our curriculum is organised around the three key strands of computer science, information technology and digital literacy, which are revisited each year with increasing complexity. This spiral approach ensures that learners regularly return to key concepts, strengthening retention and supporting progression.

• Computer Science
  Learners develop programming and computational thinking skills through a range of unplugged and digital activities. They learn to design algorithms, write and debug programs, and use logical reasoning to solve problems.
• Information Technology
  Learners use a wide range of software and digital tools to create and manipulate content, including text, presentations, data and multimedia. These opportunities allow learners to apply computing skills across the wider curriculum and develop confidence in using technology for purposeful outcomes.
• Digital Literacy and Online Safety
  Online safety is embedded throughout the curriculum rather than taught in isolation. Learners are taught to use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly, understanding both the opportunities and risks of the digital world. They learn how to protect personal information, evaluate online content critically, and communicate appropriately in digital environments.

Cross-curricular links are actively promoted, enabling learners to apply computing skills in subjects such as mathematics, science, geography and art. This helps learners to understand computing as a meaningful tool for learning, creativity and problem-solving in a wider context.

A range of technology is used to support delivery, including laptops, tablets/iPads and, where available, a dedicated computing or ICT suite. Classroom-based technology is also integrated into everyday learning, ensuring regular access and practice for all learners.

Teaching is inclusive and responsive to the needs of all learners. Differentiation is carefully planned:

• Some learners are supported through scaffolding, adapted tasks or additional guidance.
• Others are challenged through more complex problem-solving, extended projects or greater independence.

Assessment is ongoing and informs teaching, allowing staff to address misconceptions, reinforce learning and ensure all pupils make progress.

Through consistent, high-quality teaching and the structured approach, learners develop confidence, competence and a secure understanding of computing that prepares them for the next stage of their education.

The impact of our computing curriculum is that learners leave Alkerden CE Academy Primary Phase as confident, capable and responsible users of technology, equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for the next stage of their education and an increasingly digital world.

By the time they leave, learners have a secure understanding of digital systems, including networks, software and hardware, and can apply this knowledge in a range of contexts. They are proficient in computational thinking and programming, able to plan, design, write and debug code, and solve problems using logical and algorithmic thinking.

Learners use information technology confidently to create, manipulate and present digital content across the curriculum. They are digitally literate, able to evaluate online content, communicate and collaborate effectively, and use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly.

They view computing as a creative and valuable tool for learning and everyday life, and are well-prepared for the demands of secondary education and future technologies.

This impact is reflected in learners who are curious, confident and independent. They demonstrate resilience when solving problems, creativity in their work, and the ability to reflect on how and when to use technology. Ongoing assessment ensures all learners make strong progress in knowledge, skills and understanding across the computing curriculum.

• BBC Bitesize: Computing
• Scratch
• Interland Game
• Code Monkey
• Hour of Code Activities

• UK Safer Internet Centre
• Childnet: Internet and Young People