Computing
Our vision for Computing
Our vision for computing is simple: we want every child to feel confident, curious and proud of what they can do in the digital world. Computing at our school is about exploring, having a go and discovering how technology can help us learn, create and communicate. Every child is welcomed, included and encouraged to SHINE, no matter their starting point. We believe that Computing should nurture children's well-being as much as their skills. Our aim is for children to feel valued, supported and inspired as they try out new tools, experiment with digital ideas and develop their own confidence as young digital learners. We celebrate individuality, remove barriers and make sure every child knows that there digital creativity matters.
How we teach Computing
Our Computing curriculum is designed to meet the requirements of the National Curriculum. In Computing, children learn through a balance of clear teaching, hands‑on exploration, and plenty of encouragement. Teachers model digital skills step by step so children can see how to use different tools, apps, and devices with growing confidence. We build in regular opportunities to revisit skills, talk about what we are doing, and learn new vocabulary in simple, meaningful ways that support early language development.
Children are supported to experiment, make choices, and try things out for themselves. Adults guide them gently, helping them notice patterns, think logically, and explain the decisions they make when using technology. We make sure every child can join in by adapting resources, breaking learning into small steps, and offering extra nurture where needed—particularly for children with barriers in communication, or limited digital experiences at home.
We enrich our Computing curriculum through real‑life, relevant experiences. Children learn about how technology is used in our local area, explore devices they may see at home or in the community, and take part in creative projects such as digital art, simple coding, and multimedia storytelling. We also introduce children to safe and responsible online behaviour, helping them understand how to ask for help and make good choices when using technology.
Our classrooms are calm, welcoming spaces where children feel safe to explore, make mistakes, and try again. Through a balance of modelling, practice, exploration, and meaningful real‑world links, we help children develop confidence, independence, and a positive, responsible attitude towards technology.
What children learn and achieve
In Computing, children learn the early skills they need to understand and use technology safely, confidently, and creatively. They begin to explore how computers and digital devices work, learning what algorithms are, how to create and debug simple programs, and how to use logical reasoning to predict what might happen next. These ideas are introduced through hands‑on activities, modelling, and playful exploration so that children can build their understanding step by step.
Children also learn how to use technology purposefully to create, explore, and communicate. They experiment with digital art, simple typing, taking photos or videos, and using age‑appropriate apps to bring their ideas to life. We revisit skills often and introduce new vocabulary in simple, meaningful ways so that all children, including those with speech and language needs or limited digital experience, can take part confidently. Adults support children to talk about what they are doing, share ideas with a partner, and explain their thinking, helping to build communication and social skills alongside digital skills.
A key part of our Computing curriculum is helping children understand how technology fits into everyday life. They learn about the devices they see at home, in school, and in the local community, and they begin to understand how technology helps people in different jobs and situations. Online safety is woven throughout everything we teach, helping children learn how to use technology kindly and respectfully, how to keep themselves safe, and how to ask for help if something worries them.
As children move through our Computing curriculum, they achieve a growing sense of independence, confidence, and digital awareness. They learn to solve problems, make choices, and persevere when things don’t work the first time. They become increasingly confident in using a range of devices and programs, and they develop the early computational thinking skills that will support them in later learning. Most importantly, children achieve a positive, responsible attitude towards technology and feel proud of what they can do. They leave Key Stage 1 knowing that they can explore, create, and communicate safely in a digital world.
MRS SARAH MULQUEEN
Computing Subject Lead
Enrichment
At Doddinghurst Infant School, we enrich our Key Stage 1 Computing curriculum with a range of exciting activities that help young children understand how technology fits into their everyday lives. These experiences build confidence, curiosity, and a responsible attitude towards using digital tools. Throughout the year, children take part in themed projects, hands‑on challenges, and creative opportunities that make Computing meaningful and enjoyable.
A key enrichment event for KS1 is Safer Internet Day, where the whole school focuses on learning how to stay safe online. Through stories, role‑play, simple discussions, and age‑appropriate activities, children learn how to make good choices, use technology kindly, and ask for help if something worries them. This special day strengthens the online safety messages we teach all year and helps children feel secure and supported as they begin to explore the digital world.
We also offer a variety of enrichment experiences such as digital art, early coding challenges, multimedia storytelling, and cross‑curricular projects that link Computing with subjects like Art, English, and Science. These activities help children understand that technology is a tool for creativity, communication, and problem‑solving. When possible, we draw on examples from our local community to show children how technology is used in real life, helping them make meaningful connections between school and the world around them.
These enrichment opportunities ensure that Computing in KS1 is accessible, engaging, and inclusive for every child. They help children develop independence, confidence, and pride in what they can achieve with technology.
