Intent
At St Monica’s Primary School, our intent is to equip every child with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to thrive in a digitally connected world. With a well thought out Computing Curriculum, we aim to foster computational thinking, digital literacy, and creativity from Early Years through Year 6. We want pupils to understand how digital systems work, how to use technology safely and responsibly, and how to become creators—not just consumers—of digital content.
We aim for pupils to:
- Develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills through programming and computer science.
- Use a range of technology confidently across different contexts and subjects.
- Understand and apply the fundamental principles of computing.
- Become responsible, competent, confident, and creative users of information and communication technology.
- Recognise the importance of e-safety and use technology respectfully and safely.
Computing at St Monica’s is taught through a well-sequenced and progressive curriculum developed by the Computing lead. This curriculum ensures full coverage of the National Curriculum for Computing, while allowing flexibility to integrate technology into other subjects.
Key aspects of implementation include:
- Structured lessons that follow a clear progression from EYFS to Year 6, building on prior knowledge and developing increasingly complex skills.
- Use of practical, hands-on experiences using devices such as iPads and Chromebooks.
- Clear focus on three strands of the computing curriculum: Computer Science, Information Technology, and Digital Literacy.
- Regular opportunities for coding using age-appropriate tools (e.g., Bee-Bots, Scratch, and Python in upper KS2).
- E-safety is woven into lessons throughout the year, and whole-school events such as Safer Internet Day reinforce responsible use of technology.
- Cross-curricular use of computing supports learning in subjects such as maths, science, literacy, and art.
- All teachers are supported with high-quality resources and CPD provided through the School year delivered by Computing lead
The impact of our computing curriculum is visible in the confidence and competence of our pupils when using technology. By the time children leave St Monica’s, they will be able to:
- Apply their computational thinking and coding skills to solve real-world problems.
- Use a variety of software and devices to collect, present, and analyse information effectively.
- Make informed and safe choices when navigating digital environments.
- Demonstrate resilience, collaboration, and critical thinking when working with technology.
- We assess computing both formatively (through observation, discussion, and outcomes) and summative (through end-of-unit tasks and digital portfolios).