Computing at Stondon Lower School
Following the KAPOW Primary Curriculum planning in Years R-4, pupils experience a broad, engaging and progressive computing education that develops their knowledge, skills and understanding. All pupils have their own Computing exercise book that progresses with them throughout their time at Stondon Lower School. Opportunities for further computing learning and digital literacy are built in to align with key dates and events in the academic calendar.
Intent
Curriculum aims
Kapow Primary’s Computing scheme of work aims to inspire pupils to become curious and explorative thinkers with a diverse knowledge of the world – in other words, to think like computing experts. The intention is for pupils to develop the confidence to question and observe places, measure and record necessary data in a variety of ways and analyse and present their findings.
The scheme aims to build an awareness of how Computing shapes lives at multiple scales and over time. The hope is to encourage pupils to become resourceful, active citizens who will have the skills to contribute to and improve the world around them.
The scheme supports teachers in developing their subject knowledge and skills, enabling the delivery of engaging, well-informed lessons with confidence. The curriculum is designed to be both accessible and ambitious, ensuring all learners’ full participation and potential achievement.
National Curriculum
At our school, Computing is taught through the Kapow Primary scheme of work, which is fully aligned with the requirements of the National Curriculum for Computing (2014). The curriculum is designed to develop pupils' understanding across the three key strands of Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy, ensuring balanced coverage and progression throughout their primary education.
Through a carefully sequenced curriculum, pupils revisit and build upon key knowledge and skills over time. Kapow's spiral approach enables children to deepen their understanding through repeated exposure to concepts with increasing complexity, ensuring that learning is embedded and connected.
Our intent is to develop confident, responsible and creative users of technology who can understand and apply the fundamental principles of computer science, analyse and solve problems through computational thinking, use information technology purposefully, and become safe, respectful and responsible digital citizens. The curriculum equips pupils with the knowledge and skills needed to participate effectively in an increasingly digital world while meeting the expectations of the National Curriculum.
Purpose of study
The three strands
The National curriculum organises the attainment targets for Computing under three strands:
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Computer science.
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Information technology.
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Digital literacy.
Kapow Primary’s Computing curriculum has been structured to ensure these strands run through each unit.
These strands ensure a balanced coverage of the different aspects of Computing, supporting the development of both substantive knowledge (e.g understanding networks, algorithms and data) and disciplinary knowledge (e.g. applying skills to program, creating digital content and evaluating online information responsibly).
The Computing curriculum is organised into five key areas:
1. Computing Systems
2. Programming
3. Creating Media
4. Data Handling
5. Online Safety
These key areas are covered every year, allowing pupils to build on their existing knowledge from their previous year. It also supports teachers in understanding how each unit fits into the broader learning journey.
These key areas are designed to group learning into meaningful and purposeful domains, reflecting how technology is experienced and used in the real world. They help ensure that both declarative knowledge (knowing what) and procedural knowledge (knowing how) are developed in parallel.