"We are changing the world with technology." – Bill Gates
Computing Lead – Mr Steve Coles
At Berrycoombe School the computing curriculum is designed to equip all pupils with the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to use technology purposefully, safely and creatively, both now and in their future education and lives.
Using the Kapow Primary Condensed Computing Curriculum, the curriculum ensures that pupils:
- Develop a secure foundation in computer science, including algorithms, programming and computational thinking
- Use information technology to create, organise, store and present digital content
- Understand computing systems and networks, including how information is shared and stored
- Apply their learning through purposeful, problem‑solving tasks and project
Online safety and digital citizenship are not taught within computing lessons. Instead, they are delivered through the Natterhub digital citizenship programme, ensuring dedicated time for pupils to develop safe, responsible, respectful and informed online behaviours.
The curriculum is inclusive, ambitious and progressive, enabling all pupils—including those with SEND—to succeed while building strong preparation for secondary computing.
Curriculum Structure and Time Allocation
- Computing is taught using the Kapow Condensed Computing Curriculum, delivering the National Curriculum minimum coverage in 18 lessons
- Teaching focuses on the four core computing strands:
- Programming / Computer Science
- Data Handling
- Creating Media
- Computing Systems and Networks
- Online safety units are removed from the computing curriculum to prevent duplication
Digital Citizenship (Natterhub)
- Digital citizenship is taught through the Natterhub programme, following a 3:2 model per half term:
- 3 teacher‑led sessions
- 2 Natterhub‑led sessions
- This programme covers:
- Online identity and reputation
- Safe and respectful communication
- Digital wellbeing
- Information reliability and critical thinking
- Seeking help and reporting concerns
- This ensures progressive, age‑appropriate coverage of Education for a Connected World objectives, separate from computational learning
Teaching and Learning Approaches
- Computing lessons are practical, skills‑based and enquiry‑driven
- Teachers model processes clearly and use step‑by‑step scaffolding
- Key vocabulary is explicitly taught and revisited
- Pupils apply learning through:
- Debugging and problem solving
- Creating digital products
- Working with data
- Knowledge builds through a spiral curriculum, with concepts revisited and deepened across year groups
Assessment and Feedback
- Assessment is primarily formative, focusing on:
- Skill acquisition
- Application of knowledge
- Problem‑solving strategies
- Teachers use observation, questioning, discussion and completed outcomes to identify misconceptions
- Retrieval activities help pupils retain key concepts over time
Inclusion and Accessibility
- Tasks are adapted to ensure all pupils can access learning
- Practical approaches support pupils with SEND
- Extension and open‑ended challenges deepen understanding for higher‑attaining pupils
- Assistive technology is used where appropriate to remove barriers to learning