Mr. Astle leads Computing throughout school.

“Everybody should learn how to program a computer, because it teaches you how to think.” — Steve Jobs

In primary school, computing is about much more than screens and devices. It helps children learn how to think logically, solve problems, and be creative. By developing computing skills early, pupils gain confidence, resilience, and the ability to turn ideas into reality—skills that will support them across the whole curriculum and prepare them for the world they are growing up in.

As artificial intelligence becomes part of everyday life, early computing skills are more important than ever. By learning how computers work, children begin to understand how AI makes decisions, why human input matters, and how to use technology responsibly. This empowers pupils not just to use AI, but to question it, shape it, and imagine how it can be used for good.

Mr. Astle

Computing Curriculum

At Euxton CE Primary School, we aim to deliver a high-quality computing education that equips our pupils with the computational thinking and creativity needed to understand and change the world, in line with the National Curriculum for Computing. Children learn how to stay safe online and are equipped with the knowledge and skills required for life in an increasingly digital world.

Through the computing programme of study, pupils learn how computers and computer systems work, design, write and debug programs, and develop their ideas using technology in a safe, respectful and responsible way. They use information technology to create, store, manipulate and present a range of digital content, developing confidence and independence as users of technology.

Computing also ensures that our pupils become digitally literate — able to use information and communication technology to express themselves, solve problems and develop their ideas — at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital society. As pupils progress through the school, they build knowledge and skills across computer science, information technology and digital literacy, ensuring clear progression and depth of understanding.

At Euxton CE Primary School, we recognise our responsibility to prepare children for their next stage of education and for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. Computing plays a vital role in laying these foundations, enabling children to take their place successfully in modern British society.

Through computing and online safety education, we promote respect for and understanding of different faiths, cultures and lifestyles. Children are taught how to be responsible digital citizens who communicate safely, respectfully and thoughtfully online, reflecting our school values and supporting their personal development in a connected world.

Knowledge

Our computing curriculum is carefully sequenced around the three key areas of the National Curriculum for Computing: Digital Literacy, Computer Science and Information Technology.

Planning follows a substantive and disciplinary approach, ensuring that children develop both knowledge and the skills to apply it effectively.

• Substantive knowledge – Pupils develop an understanding of how to use technology safely and responsibly, and how to program. This knowledge is reinforced through deliberate practice, enabling children to think computationally and solve problems logically.

• Disciplinary knowledge – Pupils apply their substantive knowledge to create original digital content and programs. They are encouraged to be creative by designing and developing their own systems, programs and projects, while applying their growing computational thinking skills.

Computing also offers natural opportunities for cross-curricular learning, allowing children to make meaningful connections across subjects. Examples include presenting data in tables (Maths), researching in History, or writing precise instructions in English. This approach ensures that computing is not only engaging and practical, but also reinforces learning across the broader curriculum.

Assessment

Children are assessed against each area of the National Curriculum for Computing: Digital Literacy, Computer Science and Information Technology. Assessment is ongoing and built into every unit, allowing teachers to check understanding, provide feedback, and adapt lessons to meet the needs of all learners.

We use a five-point checkpoint system to track progress throughout the year. This system supports regular retrieval of prior learning, ensuring that knowledge and skills are reinforced and consolidated over time. By the end of each year, teachers make a final judgement on each child’s attainment, which informs future planning and ensures continuity as children move to the next stage of their learning.

To improve the quality of teaching and learning in Computing by embedding the oracy framework into curriculum planning and delivery. Ensure that classroom talk is intentionally planned, structured and scaffolded to support pupils in learning both to talk and through talk, thereby deepening their subject knowledge and understanding.

To adapt and personalise the Purple Mash computing framework to create a bespoke curriculum for our school that reflects our context, ensures progression of skills, and fully integrates online safety across all year groups.

To re-develop a robust feedback policy to ensure that misconceptions are addressed and children are aware and able of improvements they can make to their work.