CurriculumComputing & Online Safety
At Brinscall St John’s, we believe that a high-quality computing education supports pupils to become logical problem solvers which will help them to understand and work through challenges in our rapidly-changing digital world. We recognise the importance of developing healthy minds and bodies through digital literacy and ensure that pupils can express themselves and their ideas safely and responsibly. We aspire for all pupils to develop their creativity, enjoyment and confidence in computing which will equip them for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.
Computing at Our School: The NCCE Computing Scheme of Work
Our Approach to Computing
At our school, we recognise that computing is an essential part of modern life. Technology plays an important role in how we communicate, learn, work and interact with the world around us. We want our pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to use technology effectively, creatively and safely, both now and in the future.
To support this, we use the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) Teach Computing Curriculum to guide our computing teaching. This provides a structured, progressive and engaging approach to computing education, helping pupils build on their prior knowledge and develop increasingly sophisticated skills as they move through school.
The curriculum has been developed by computing education specialists and supports the National Curriculum for Computing in England. It provides a range of teaching resources, including lesson plans, presentations, activities and assessments to support high-quality teaching and learning.
Our aim is to ensure that every child has the opportunity to explore technology, develop computational thinking, solve problems, express their creativity and become a responsible digital citizen.
What Is the NCCE Computing Scheme of Work?
The NCCE Teach Computing Curriculum is a comprehensive scheme of work designed to help schools deliver a broad and balanced computing curriculum. It supports pupils in understanding not only how to use computers and digital devices but also how computer systems work and how technology can be used to solve problems.
The curriculum is organised into units of work with lessons carefully sequenced to develop pupils' knowledge and skills over time. Children revisit important concepts throughout their school journey allowing them to practise, consolidate and extend their learning.
The curriculum covers a range of important areas, including:
- Computing systems and networks: Understanding computers, digital devices, networks and how technology connects people and systems.
- Programming: Developing algorithms, writing and testing programs, finding and correcting errors, and using logical thinking to solve problems.
- Data and information: Collecting, organising, representing, interpreting and using data to answer questions and draw conclusions.
- Creating media: Using digital tools to create and edit a variety of content, including images, animations, audio, video and web pages.
- Effective use of technology: Learning to select and use appropriate digital tools to communicate ideas, complete tasks and create useful digital products.
- Online safety and security: Understanding how to use technology responsibly, protect personal information, recognise potential risks and seek help when needed.
Together, these areas help pupils develop a deeper understanding of computing and prepare them to participate confidently in an increasingly digital world.
What Will Children Learn?
Computer Science and Computational Thinking
Computer science is a central part of our computing curriculum. Pupils learn how computers follow instructions and how programs can be designed to complete tasks. Through practical activities and challenges, children develop computational thinking skills, including logical reasoning, pattern recognition, problem-solving and breaking complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Pupils learn about algorithms, which are sets of instructions designed to achieve a particular outcome. They explore how instructions must be clear and precise, how the order of instructions matters, and how programs can be tested and improved. As children progress, they develop their programming knowledge by exploring concepts such as sequencing, repetition, selection and variables. They learn to predict what a program will do, identify mistakes and debug their code to make it work as intended. These skills encourage perseverance, creativity and resilience, helping children understand that mistakes are a valuable part of the learning process.
Information Technology and Digital Creativity
Our computing curriculum gives pupils regular opportunities to use technology to create, organise and present information. Children learn to select appropriate digital tools for different purposes and audiences. Depending on their year group, they may create digital artwork, write and format text, produce animations, record and edit audio, make videos, design web pages or create three-dimensional models. Pupils also explore how data can be organised and presented using tools such as pictograms, branching databases, spreadsheets and other digital representations. Through these activities, children develop practical skills while learning to make thoughtful decisions about the design, accuracy and effectiveness of their work.
Computer Systems and Networks
Pupils explore the technology they encounter in everyday life and develop an understanding of how digital devices work together. In the early years of primary computing, children become familiar with common devices and learn basic skills such as using a keyboard and mouse. They begin to understand how technology helps people at home, in school and in the wider community. As they progress, pupils explore how computers connect through networks, how the internet works, how information is shared and how digital systems support communication and collaboration. This knowledge helps children appreciate the technology they use every day and develop a better understanding of the digital world around them.
Online Safety and Digital Citizenship
Online safety is an essential element of computing education. We want all pupils to understand how to use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly. Children learn about protecting personal information, maintaining privacy, recognising inappropriate content and understanding the importance of respectful communication. They also explore how to recognise potential online risks, make sensible decisions and report concerns to a trusted adult. As pupils grow older, they develop a more critical understanding of digital content, online communication and the importance of evaluating information they encounter on the internet. We encourage pupils to think carefully about their digital footprint and to understand that their actions online can affect themselves and others. Online safety is reinforced through computing lessons and supported by the wider work of the school to promote pupils' wellbeing and safeguarding.
Progression Through the Primary Years
The NCCE curriculum is designed to build knowledge and skills progressively from Year 1 to Year 6. Children revisit key concepts in different contexts, developing greater independence and understanding as they move through the school.
Infants
Pupils begin to develop their understanding of technology and learn how to use digital devices purposefully. They practise basic computer skills, explore digital art and photography, create simple programs and investigate how information can be grouped and represented. They also begin to understand the importance of using technology responsibly and keeping personal information private.
Lower Key Stage 2 – Years 3 and 4
Pupils build on their earlier learning by exploring computer networks, the internet and a wider range of digital tools. They develop their programming skills by working with sequences, events and repetition, while learning to test and debug their programs. They also create more complex digital content, such as animations, desktop-published documents, audio recordings and edited images. Their work with data develops through activities such as branching databases and data logging.
Upper Key Stage 2 – Years 5 and 6
Pupils apply their knowledge to more challenging tasks and develop greater independence when using technology. They explore topics such as computer systems, internet communication, searching, physical computing and programming with selection and variables. They create increasingly sophisticated digital products, including videos, web pages, vector graphics and three-dimensional models. They also develop their understanding of spreadsheets, databases and how data can be used to communicate information. By the end of Year 6, we aim for pupils to be confident in applying their computing knowledge, solving problems methodically, creating digital content and making informed decisions about their use of technology.
Developing Skills for the Future
Computing supports learning beyond the computing lesson itself. Skills such as logical reasoning, problem-solving, creativity, collaboration and critical thinking are valuable across the wider curriculum and in everyday life. By learning how to use digital tools effectively, pupils can communicate ideas, research information, present their learning and create products for different audiences. We also want children to understand that technology is something they can shape and create, not simply consume. Through programming and digital design, they discover how ideas can be transformed into working solutions. Our curriculum aims to inspire curiosity, encourage innovation and help pupils recognise the many opportunities available in computing and technology.
Our Commitment to Every Pupil
We believe that every child should have the opportunity to develop their computing knowledge and skills, regardless of their starting point or level of previous experience. Through the NCCE Computing Scheme of Work, we aim to provide a coherent and inclusive curriculum that develops pupils' understanding, supports their creativity and prepares them for the opportunities and challenges of an increasingly digital society. We want our pupils to leave primary school as confident, capable and responsible users of technology, equipped with the skills to continue learning, solve problems and participate positively in the digital world.