At Alkerden, we believe computing education is essential for preparing learners to thrive in a digital world. Our computing curriculum seeks to equip every learner with the skills, understanding and confidence to use technology purposefully, creatively and responsibly. We aim to ensure learners: 

• Understand how digital systems work, from hardware to networks, and appreciate the principles behind computer science. 

• Develop computational thinking and problem-solving skills: being able to plan, design, write, and debug programs, using logical reasoning and algorithmic thinking. 

• Use information technology confidently to store, retrieve, manipulate and present digital content, supporting their learning across the whole curriculum and beyond. 

• Become digitally literate: understanding how to evaluate digital content, communicate and collaborate online, and use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly. 

• Appreciate the creative and expressive potential of computing, using it as a tool to create media, present ideas and solve real-world problems. 

• Gain the knowledge and skills that will prepare them for secondary education, further learning, and life in a rapidly changing, technology-rich society. 

Through this curriculum, we aim to nurture learners who are curious, critical, creative and confident in their use of computing. 

• Computing is taught across all year groups from Early Years through to the final year of primary. Each year, learners build on prior knowledge and skills, so learning develops progressively and cumulatively. 

• We deliver a balanced curriculum drawing on the three core strands: computer science, information technology and digital literacy. These strands are revisited every year, with increasing complexity as learners progress. 

• Through information technology, learners use a variety of software and digital tools to create content: text, presentations, data handling, media, and more, strengthening their skills for learning across the curriculum and beyond school. 

• Digital literacy and online safety are woven throughout the curriculum. Learners are taught to use technology responsibly and respectfully, to understand the risks and benefits of online environments, to safeguard personal information, and to behave ethically when communicating online.  

• Opportunities are taken to link computing with other subjects, using computing to support learning in maths, science, geography, art, and more, helping learners see technology as a tool for learning and creativity in a broad context.  

• We provide a range of devices and contexts: laptops, tablets or iPads, a dedicated computing/ICT suite (if available), as well as classroom-based ICT use. This ensures all learners have access to the tools they need and can practise computing regularly.  

• Differentiation ensures that learners with different starting points or needs are supported: some will work on simpler tasks or have additional scaffolding, while others will be challenged with more complex tasks or extended projects depending on their skills and confidence. 

By the time learners leave Alkerden, our computing curriculum ensures they: 

• Have a secure and broad knowledge of how digital systems work, including computing fundamentals, networks, software and hardware. 

• Are proficient in computational thinking and programming: able to plan, design, write, test and debug code; break problems into manageable parts; and reason logically. 

• Use information technology confidently to create, store, manipulate and present digital content, supporting their learning across subjects, as well as creative and personal digital work. 

• Are digitally literate: able to evaluate online content, communicate and collaborate using technology, and act safely, respectfully and responsibly online. 

• View computing as a creative and useful tool,  not just for lessons but for everyday life, learning and future opportunities. 

• Are well-prepared for the technological demands of secondary education, further learning and life in a fast-changing digital world. 

The impact of our computing curriculum is visible in learners who approach tasks with curiosity and confidence, who solve problems independently, who collaborate effectively using digital tools, and who reflect thoughtfully on how and when to use technology. Over time, they develop resilience when debugging or troubleshooting, creativity when designing and making digital products, and confidence to explore and adapt to new technologies. 

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

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