Pakefield Primary School Computing Curriculum

Computing at Pakefield Primary School

Intent

At Pakefield Primary School, we believe that a high-quality computing education is essential in today’s digital world. Our curriculum helps pupils develop computational thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills, allowing them to understand and shape the world around them. Our goal is to equip children with the skills they need to be digitally literate citizens—able to communicate, create, and express themselves through technology. Most importantly, we inspire them to use these skills to make a positive impact on the world around them. 

The National Curriculum for Computing aims to ensure that all pupils: 

• can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation 
• can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems 
• can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems 
• are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology. 

Computing Skills by Key Stage

Key Stage 1 

Pupils in KS1 learn the basics of computing, including: 

• Understanding algorithms and how they work as programs. 
• Creating and debugging simple programs. 
• Using logical reasoning to predict how programs behave. 
• Using technology to create, store, and manage digital content. 
• Recognising the everyday uses of technology beyond school. 
• Learning to use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private and knowing where to seek help online. 

Key Stage 2 

In KS2, pupils build on these foundations with more advanced computing skills, including: 

• Designing, writing, and debugging programs to solve problems and control physical systems. 
• Using sequences, variables, and loops in programming. 
• Understanding computer networks, including the internet and the world wide web. 
• Learning how to search effectively, evaluate digital content, and understand how search engines rank results. 
• Combining different software and digital tools to create programs, systems, and content. 
• Continuing to develop online safety awareness, recognising acceptable and unacceptable behaviour, and knowing how to report concerns. 

 EYFS

• Adapted from Computing at School’s EYFS Guidance 
• Understanding the world: children have access to a range of technology, both working and model devices, as part of their continuous provision. 
• Literacy: children have access to stories told across a range of media. They have the opportunity to sequence events in stories. 
• Physical Development: children have access to a keyboard and mouse to develop their fine motor skills. 
• Communication and language: children practice giving precise instructions verbally, linking to the importance of clear vocabulary and speech. 
• Personal, social, and emotional development: children understand how to use technology safely and what to do if they are feeling worried or concerned when using a device. 
• Expressive arts and design: children have access to painting and graphics programmes which allow them to explore technology creatively whilst working on their keyboard and mouse skills. 
• Mathematics: children have the opportunity to control devices to develop their understanding of left and right and directional language. 

Computing Skills Progression