Overview

At Rathfern, we recognise that technology shapes the world our children live in. Through our Computing curriculum, we equip pupils with the knowledge, creativity and critical-thinking skills needed to understand and change the world around them.

Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology, and helps children understand both natural and artificial systems. Our curriculum ensures pupils become digitally literate and able to use technology confidently and imaginatively, preparing them for future education and the modern workplace.

We are committed to ensuring all learners can thrive in our digital world, developing the confidence, responsibility and creativity to become active participants in a rapidly evolving technological society.

Intent

Our computing curriculum aims to:

• equip children with essential digital knowledge and computational thinking skills

• ensure all pupils can understand and apply the principles of computer science, including algorithms, logic and data representation

• teach pupils to analyse problems and apply practical programming skills to solve them

• support pupils to evaluate and use information technology confidently and safely

• develop digitally literate learners who can express themselves and create digital content with independence and creativity

We believe all pupils should be empowered to succeed in technology-rich environments. Our curriculum supports equity and representation by:

• addressing socio-economic digital divides

• improving access and aspiration for girls in computing

• promoting representation of ethnic minorities in digital and STEM fields

Children leave Rathfern equipped to make informed, ethical decisions in the digital world — and to participate safely, responsibly and creatively online and offline.

Implementation

Our curriculum is structured around the three core strands of Computing:

✅ Computer Science

Pupils learn how computers and systems work, how they are designed and programmed, and how digital processes enable change in the real and virtual world. They:

• understand what algorithms are

• create, debug and improve programs

• predict and explain behaviour using logical reasoning

• design and write programs to accomplish specific goals using sequence, selection, and repetition

• work with variables, input and output

• solve problems through decomposition and computational thinking

✅ Information Technology

Children learn to:

• select, use and combine software effectively

• create, store, organise, manipulate and retrieve digital content

• collect, analyse and present data

• use a range of digital devices confidently

• understand how technology is used in wider society

✅ Digital Citizenship / Online Safety

Pupils:

• use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly

• recognise acceptable and unacceptable behaviour online

• protect personal information and privacy

• identify risks and know how to report concerns

• evaluate online content critically and use search technologies effectively

Teachers use progression models and digital tools to ensure high-quality learning from EYFS to Year 6. Children engage in unplugged computing, coding, digital media projects, information handling and safe-use lessons.

Impact

Through our curriculum, Rathfern pupils become:

• confident programmers who can design, debug and explain algorithms

• critical thinkers able to analyse information and solve problems

• responsible digital citizens who use technology safely and ethically

• creative digital communicators capable of producing high-quality digital work

• future-ready learners who understand and can adapt to changing technologies

By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils are expected to know, apply and understand the skills and processes outlined in the National Curriculum for Computing, preparing them for Key Stage 3 and the wider digital world.

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