“A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world.”
— National Curriculum for Computing
At Cavendish CE Primary School, computing helps our children become confident, creative, responsible and increasingly independent users of technology. We want pupils not only to know how to use technology, but to understand how it works, how it can be used to solve problems and create new things, and how to use it safely and responsibly.
Computing reflects our school vision: We Learn. We Love. We Belong. Children learn to think logically, explore ideas and solve problems; they learn to use technology respectfully and responsibly; and they begin to understand how technology connects them to their community and the wider world.
Our Computing Curriculum
Our computing curriculum is built using Oak National Academy Computing units, carefully organised into a two-year rolling programme to meet the needs of our mixed-age classes.
Across the school, children develop their knowledge and skills through the three key areas of computing:
- Computer Science – understanding algorithms, programming, systems and networks
- Information Technology – using technology to create, organise, analyse and present information
- Digital Literacy – using technology safely, responsibly and discerningly
Children revisit important concepts as they move through school, allowing them to build on what they already know and develop increasing independence, complexity and confidence.
Our Mixed-Age Class Structure
Our curriculum has been specifically designed around the mixed-age structure of Cavendish.
Robins – EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2
Children develop early computing foundations alongside Key Stage 1 learning. They explore digital painting and writing, animation, data, technology in the wider world and simple programming. Reception children access shared themes and technology through developmentally appropriate experiences rooted in the EYFS.
Wrens – Year 3 and Year 4
Children build their understanding through areas including computer networks, programming, animation, databases, desktop publishing, audio production, data logging and photo editing.
Owls – Year 5 and Year 6
Children apply their knowledge with increasing independence through computer systems, physical computing, databases, vector graphics, web-page creation, variables, spreadsheets, 3D modelling and programming.
Each class follows a two-year cycle, ensuring that children experience the full National Curriculum entitlement during their time within each mixed-age phase. Learning is adapted appropriately through scaffolding, vocabulary, modelling, challenge and the level of independence expected.
The Cavendish 5 in Computing
As with all subjects at Cavendish, our Cavendish 5 underpin high-quality teaching and learning in Computing.
Retrieval
Children regularly revisit important vocabulary, previous learning, tool use and programming concepts.
I Do, We Do, You Do
Teachers model new knowledge and processes explicitly, practise alongside children and then support pupils towards increasingly independent application.
Purposeful Practice
Children have repeated opportunities to use digital tools, test ideas, write and debug programs and apply what they have learned.
High-Quality Questioning
We encourage children to predict, explain, compare, justify and evaluate, rather than simply follow instructions.
Feedback
Live feedback, peer testing and clear success criteria help children improve their programs and digital creations as they work.
Computing in the Early Years
Computing is not taught as a separate statutory subject within the EYFS. Instead, Reception children develop the foundations for later computing through purposeful play, adult modelling and carefully chosen shared experiences.
Children learn to operate simple equipment, follow sequences of instructions, create using digital tools, recognise technology in the world around them and begin to develop safe and responsible habits.
These early experiences support children to become curious and confident users of technology before beginning the statutory Computing curriculum.
Online Safety and Digital Responsibility
Keeping children safe is central to our Computing curriculum.
Children learn to use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly, understand the importance of protecting personal information and recognise when and how to ask for help.
As children become older, they develop their understanding of responsible online behaviour, digital content, searching, copyright, communication and publishing.
Online safety is reinforced beyond Computing through PSHE/RSE, safeguarding and children's everyday use of technology across school, helping children understand that safe digital behaviour is part of everyday life.
Assessment in Computing
We assess what children know, understand and can explain, rather than simply judging the appearance of a finished digital product.
Teachers use questioning, observation, saved digital work, screenshots, practical tasks, pupil explanations and end-of-unit activities to identify what children have understood and what may need to be revisited.
This helps us ensure that children build secure knowledge over time and are ready for the next stage of their learning.
Computing and Our Christian Vision
Computing gives our children opportunities to be creative, curious and thoughtful about the world in which they live.
We encourage them to recognise both the possibilities and responsibilities that come with technology: to communicate respectfully, make wise choices, solve problems together and use their knowledge in ways that benefit themselves and others.
Through Computing, our children learn that technology is a powerful tool — and that how we choose to use it matters.
We Learn. We Love. We Belong.