Computing

Intent:

At Springfield Primary School, our computing curriculum, following the Teach Computing Curriculum from the National Centre for Computing Education, aims to empower every
learner—regardless of background or ability—to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to thrive in a digital world.
We want our learners to:
● Succeed by developing secure knowledge and transferable digital skills that prepare them for the future.
● Understand and apply computational thinking: breaking problems into parts, recognising patterns, creating algorithms and debugging, showing the perseverance
needed to solve challenges.
● Develop practical programming skills, using block-based tools (e.g., Scratch) building independence as they grow in confidence.
● Become responsible, safe and ethical digital citizens, aware of online safety, digital wellbeing and respectful communication, showing respect for themselves and others.
● Foster creativity through computing, exploring how technology can support learning in other subjects, artistic expression, and problem-solving, encouraging pupils to
grow as imaginative and critical thinkers.

Implementation:

Our approach is structured, progressive and hands-on:
● We follow the Teach Computing Curriculum, ensuring clear progression in computer science, digital literacy, and information technology from Year 1 through Year 6,
supporting every learner to succeed.
● Within each unit, lessons include:

○ Starter sessions to revisit prior learning and link to new concepts.
○ Guided teacher demonstrations, both live and through high-quality Teach Computing videos.
○ Paired or individual practical activities, where learners explore, experiment, design and code, building independence and resilience.
○ Independent challenges to apply learning creatively or solve real-world problems, encouraging perseverance and innovation.

○ Plenaries and reflection discussions to assess understanding and reinforce vocabulary, nurturing confidence and collaborative learning.

We provide scaffolded support and stretch opportunities so every learner can succeed and be challenged, including:
● Visual step-cards and model code for those needing support, ensuring all learners are nurtured in their learning journey.
● Extension tasks (e.g., creating additional features, refining efficiency, exploring alternative solutions) for advanced learners, encouraging them to grow beyond
expectations.
● Cross-curricular links: computing is used to enhance learning in other subjects (e.g., media projects for English, data logging for science, animations for art), showing how
computing can help learners succeed in multiple disciplines.
● Online safety and digital citizenship are embedded in all lessons, and reinforced through dedicated sessions in assemblies and PSHE, promoting respect and responsibility.
● Assessment: ongoing formative checks, including self- and peer-assessment; formal skill checkpoints at the end of each unit, aligned to the Teach Computing progression
descriptors, ensuring learners understand how they can grow and improve.

Impact:

● Springfield Computer Scientists can design, write and debug programs, applying logical reasoning and decomposition to solve problems.
● Springfield Computer Scientists are confident in using a range of software and hardware, selecting appropriate tools to create, organise, analyse and present digital
content.
● Springfield Computer Scientists understand computer networks, including the internet, and can explain how systems communicate and keep data secure.
● Springfield Computer Scientists know how to use technology safely, respectfully, and responsibly, recognising acceptable and unacceptable behaviour and
understanding ways to report concerns.
● Springfield Computer Scientists show high levels of engagement and enjoyment in computing, applying their learning creatively across the curriculum and preparing
them for the next stage of their digital education.