Doddinghurst Infant School

Computing

We live in a rapidly changing technological world. This means that we need to ensure that our children grow up acquiring the skills, knowledge and understanding to use various forms of technology in order to prepare them for life in the future. Computing in the 21st Century is seen as an essential resource to support learning and teaching, as well as playing an important role in the everyday lives of children. 

Intent

Our intent is to provide young learners with the foundational skills, understanding, and confidence to engage with technology responsibly, creatively, and effectively. At Doddinghurst Infant School our computing curriculum is designed to introduce children to the principles of computational thinking, digital literacy, and creative technology use. Our aim is to inspire curiosity and confidence in the digital world while equipping pupils with the foundational skills they need for the future. Our approach is deeply rooted in our school values:

• Self-Belief - Computing activities introduce new challenges in a playful and engaging way, helping children view learning as an exciting process rather than a daunting task. Mistakes in computing are easily fixable, which teaches children that errors are part of learning, fostering resilience and self-belief.
• Happiness - Children express happiness as they explore interactive educational software and apps on the computers, iPad and whiteboards. Problem-Solving tasks and activities like basic coding help children to work collaboratively and discover solutions, sparking joy in their success. Children can be seen smiling and laughing as they actively make discoveries on their own or with friends.
• Independence - Activities often involve choices, such as selecting tools for a digital drawing, creating sequences in coding programs, or deciding how to present information in a multimedia project. While working in pairs or small groups, children often take turns using devices or leading tasks, requiring them to manage their role and contributions independently.
• Nurture - We provide a supportive, encouraging environment that helps children feel safe, valued, and confident while learning digital skills. Computing activities are adapted to meet the individual needs of children, ensuring that every child can succeed at their own pace. Tools and programs are selected thoughtfully to accommodate various abilities, including those with special educational needs or disabilities.
• Excellence – is developed through computing as children explore different apps and programmes that help to develop essential skills such as problem-solving, creativity, communication, and digital literacy. When used thoughtfully and in moderation, computing can significantly enhance early childhood education and contribute to excellence in learning.

Implementation

Our curriculum is delivered through engaging, hands-on activities using tools like Bee-Bots, ScratchJr, and educational apps. Lessons are designed to be age-appropriate, focusing on play, exploration, and creativity while ensuring that pupils develop essential computing skills.

Teachers follow the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) scheme of work. The Teach Computing curriculum is structured into units for each year group, and each unit is broken down into lessons. Our teaching is inclusive and adaptive to meet the diverse needs of our pupils, including those with SEND and EAL, embellished with special themed events throughout the year. We take a mastery approach, allowing children to explore concepts in depth through enquiry-based learning that encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and reflection. Children apply their learning from discreet computing lessons to enhance their learning in all areas of the curriculum.

Computing Progression document