Subject Leader: Miss N Smith 

Intent 

At Pikemere School, our intent is to deliver a high-quality computing education that equips our children with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to thrive in a digital world. Through the Teach Computing Curriculum, we ensure children develop secure foundations in the three core strands of the National Curriculum:

• Computer Science – understanding algorithms, programming, systems and networks
• Information Technology – creating, organising, analysing and presenting digital content
• Digital Literacy – using technology safely, respectfully and responsibly

We intend for all children to:

• Become computational thinkers who can decompose problems, design algorithms and debug programs
• Develop creativity and technical proficiency in digital media and data handling
• Build a strong understanding of online safety, digital identity and responsible use of technology
• Experience a carefully sequenced, spiral curriculum where knowledge and skills are revisited and deepened over time

Our curriculum is inclusive, ambitious and designed to prepare children for secondary education and for life in an increasingly technological society.

Implementation 

Computing at Pikemere School is taught through the Teach Computing Curriculum, which provides a structured, progressive scheme from EYFS to Year 6.

Key features of implementation include:

• Weekly discrete computing lessons, supported by cross-curricular opportunities to apply skills
• A spiral curriculum model, revisiting concepts such as algorithms, programming, data and systems with increasing complexity
• Carefully sequenced units mapped across year groups to ensure full National Curriculum coverage
• Explicit teaching of online safety in every year group and reinforced across the wider curriculum
• Teaching approaches that emphasise modelling, exploration, discussion, problem-solving and debugging
• Use of a wide range of resources, including laptops/tablets, physical computing (e.g. micro:bits), and creative software

Assessment is primarily formative and includes observation, questioning, low-stakes quizzes, vocabulary checks and evaluation of digital outcomes. Teachers use this information to adapt teaching, support learners and provide challenge.

Staff are supported through access to Teach Computing planning, progression documents and professional development to ensure high-quality delivery.

Impact

The impact of computing at Pikemere School is seen in children who are confident, capable and responsible users of technology.

By the time children leave Pikemere School, they will:

• Demonstrate a secure understanding of key computing concepts and vocabulary
• Design, write and debug programs with increasing independence and resilience
• Apply computing skills purposefully across the curriculum
• Create high-quality digital content for a range of audiences and purposes
• Show a strong awareness of online safety, digital reputation and how to seek help

Impact is monitored through:

• Pupil voice and discussions
• Evidence of learning in digital portfolios and class floor books
• Teacher assessment against Teach Computing learning objectives
• Monitoring of planning, outcomes and progression across year groups

Children leave Pikemere School well prepared for secondary education and to participate safely and positively in the digital world.