What Computing Looks Like at St Mary’s

At St Mary’s, computing is creative, practical and forward-thinking. Our pupils:

• Develop confidence using a range of digital technologies

• Learn to programme and understand how digital systems work

• Use technology creatively to present ideas and solve problems

• Understand how to stay safe and behave responsibly online

• Work collaboratively using digital tools

• Develop the skills needed to participate in an increasingly digital world

Through engaging lessons and meaningful cross-curricular opportunities, pupils learn how technology can support learning, creativity and communication.

Intent, Implementation and Impact

Intent

At St Mary’s, we provide an exciting, rich, relevant, progressive and challenging computing curriculum for all pupils. Our intention is to enthuse and equip pupils with the capability to use technology effectively throughout their lives.

It is important to us that children understand how to use ever-changing technology to express themselves, support their learning and develop skills that will prepare them for the future. Through our computing curriculum, pupils are encouraged to think creatively, solve problems and work collaboratively in a digital world.

While ensuring pupils understand the advantages and disadvantages associated with online experiences, we aim to develop respectful, responsible and confident users of technology. Rooted in our Catholic ethos, pupils are encouraged to treat others with kindness and respect online and to understand the importance of using technology responsibly.

Our aim is to provide a Computing curriculum that balances the acquisition of a broad and deep knowledge (substantive knowledge) alongside opportunities to apply skills (disciplinary skills) in a variety of digital contexts. Beyond discrete computing lessons, pupils are given opportunities to apply and develop their computing knowledge across the wider curriculum.

Implementation

Computing contributes to teaching and learning across the curriculum and is taught through both discrete lessons and cross-curricular opportunities.

At St Mary’s, pupils have regular access to computers and digital technologies to develop their knowledge and skills of digital systems and their applications. We use the Kapow Primary scheme of work to support the planning and teaching of Computing.

The National Curriculum states:

“The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, express themselves and develop their ideas through information and communication technology.”

The Kapow Primary scheme is built around three key strands which run throughout the curriculum:

• Computer Science

• Information Technology

• Digital Literacy

The scheme is organised into five key areas which allow pupils to revisit and build upon prior learning:

• Computer systems and networks

• Programming

• Creating media

• Data handling

• Online safety

Teachers are supported with yearly overviews, detailed planning and additional resources to deliver the scheme effectively. The subject leader monitors and reviews the curriculum to ensure high-quality teaching and learning.

Lessons include a variety of teaching approaches such as independent tasks, paired work, group collaboration, unplugged activities and digital learning. This variety helps to ensure lessons are engaging and accessible to pupils with a range of learning styles.

Knowledge organisers are used to support pupils in building secure understanding of key vocabulary and concepts, encouraging recall and helping pupils make connections between units of learning.

Strong subject knowledge is essential for delivering an effective computing curriculum. Kapow provides teacher videos and resources to support staff development and ensure teachers feel confident delivering computing lessons. Additional professional development opportunities are also available through Kapow’s specialist webinars.

Inclusion and Adaptive Teaching

At St Mary’s, we are committed to ensuring that all pupils can access and succeed in computing.

Teachers use a range of adaptive teaching strategies to support different learning needs and starting points. These may include:

• Pre-teaching and revisiting key computing vocabulary

• Modelling digital skills and programming processes

• Using visual supports such as diagrams, screenshots and demonstrations

• Scaffolded activities to support pupils with additional needs

• Opportunities for collaborative learning and peer support

• Extension tasks to deepen understanding and challenge more confident learners

By adapting teaching appropriately, we ensure that all pupils can participate confidently in computing lessons and develop the digital skills needed for the future.

Impact

The impact of the computing curriculum is monitored through both formative and summative assessment opportunities. Each lesson includes guidance to support teachers in assessing pupils against learning objectives, and each unit includes quizzes and knowledge checks to support retrieval and measure understanding.

Through the implementation of the Kapow Primary scheme, pupils at St Mary’s develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in secondary education and participate confidently in an increasingly digital world.

As a result of our computing curriculum, pupils:

• Become critical thinkers who can make informed digital choices

• Understand how technology supports learning, creativity and communication

• Recognise the importance of balancing time spent using technology with other activities

• Use technology to express ideas creatively and solve problems

• Demonstrate clear progression across computer science, information technology and digital literacy

• Work independently and collaboratively using digital tools

• Understand online safety and know how to respond appropriately to potential risks

• Develop awareness of how technology continues to evolve and shape the modern world

By the time pupils leave St Mary’s, they are digitally literate, responsible users of technology who are well prepared for the next stage of their education.

How You Can Help at Home

Parents and carers can support their child’s computing learning in a number of ways:

• Encourage safe and responsible use of technology at home.

• Talk to your child about staying safe online and reporting anything that makes them feel uncomfortable.

• Explore educational apps, coding games or creative software together.

• Encourage your child to use technology creatively, such as making presentations, videos or digital artwork.

• Discuss how technology is used in everyday life and in different careers.

• Help your child balance time spent using technology with time spent on other activities.

By supporting children in using technology safely and creatively, parents help pupils develop confidence and responsibility as digital citizens.