St. Finian's Catholic Primary School

The national curriculum for computing has been developed to equip young people in England with the foundational skills, knowledge and understanding of computing they will need for the rest of their lives.  

We deliver the Computing curriculum through twelve pedagogical principles which can be found here. 

We use a spiral curriculum, which allows children to gradually build on knowledge and learn more complex ideas: 

At St. Finian’s, the Computing curriculum plays a vital role in equipping our children with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world. Through a well-structured, engaging, and progressive curriculum, our children become confident, creative, and responsible digital citizens.

The Computing curriculum impacts our children in the following ways:

1. Digital Literacy and Confidence

By the end of Key Stage 2, our children are digitally literate and confident in using technology to support their learning across all subjects. They develop essential skills such as typing, word processing, and using digital presentation tools. Children can navigate various software and applications with ease, understanding the purpose of different digital tools. This prepares them for secondary school and future workplaces, where digital skills are increasingly essential.

2. Problem-Solving and Computational Thinking

Our Computing curriculum fosters critical thinking and problem-solving abilities through coding and programming activities. Children are taught how to break down problems, identify patterns, and develop logical solutions—core aspects of computational thinking. By working on coding projects, such as building simple programs or games, children learn to debug errors and think creatively, skills that are transferable across all areas of learning.

3. Creativity and Collaboration

Through technology, children are encouraged to express their creativity in exciting and innovative ways. Whether they are designing digital art, creating multimedia presentations, or programming interactive stories, children use computing to enhance their creative thinking. Collaborative projects allow our children to work together on shared tasks, developing communication and teamwork skills while learning to use technology effectively as part of a group.

4. E-Safety and Responsible Digital Citizenship

We place a strong emphasis on teaching our children how to stay safe online. By the time they leave St. Finian’s, they have a clear understanding of the potential risks of the internet and how to protect themselves. They are taught about privacy settings, the importance of strong passwords, and how to navigate social media responsibly. We also focus on fostering positive digital citizenship, ensuring that children understand the impact of their online behaviour and respect others in digital spaces.

5. Cross-Curricular Learning

The impact of the Computing curriculum extends beyond the subject itself. Technology is integrated across the curriculum, allowing children to use their digital skills in subjects such as mathematics, literacy, science, and the arts. For example, children may use data-handling

programs in maths, research topics online for history projects, or create digital artwork in art lessons. This integration enhances learning in other areas and provides real-world applications for computing skills.

6. Preparation for the Future

The skills our children develop through the Computing curriculum prepare them not only for the next stage of their education but for life in an increasingly digital world. They leave St. Finian’s with a solid foundation in computational thinking, coding, and digital literacy, giving them the tools they need to adapt to future technologies. These skills, combined with an understanding of how to use technology responsibly and ethically, position them as forward-thinking individuals ready to make positive contributions to society.

Through regular assessment and reflection, we ensure that every child makes strong progress in computing. Our goal is to provide a well-rounded digital education that empowers our children to confidently engage with technology while fostering curiosity, creativity, and resilience in the digital age.