As technology develops and changes, we prepare pupils at Boxford Primary School for an ever-changing landscape from a technological perspective. The curriculum of Computing at Boxford Primary is tailored to the needs of our pupils and allows them to reflect on their online behaviours, preparing them for the advancements of the 21^st century. The skills learnt throughout these areas of the computing curriculum ensure that pupils are ready for the challenges they may face in the technological world, but ensure they feel empowered to make appropriate decisions and also have the confidence to report incident on all e-platforms. We take pride in developing global citizens who make appropriate choices in both the online and offline world.

Within Computing sessions we aim to support pupils by:

• Using technology appropriately in a safe, considered and respectful way, reaping the benefits from an online world.
• Identify the exciting changes in a complex online world, but discuss the challenges and risks which appear from this.
• Encourage responsible actions online and identify methods of how concerns can be raised with appropriate parities.
• Build the transferable skills required in the computing curriculum to layer pupils’ knowledge and embed programming skills.

Skills are modelled and taught using modern resources which enable pupils to work with a variety of equipment such as iPads and laptops. Higher order skills are being developed by pupils such as programming and debugging. Long gone are the days of administrative skills such as word processing, but they still have a valid place within lessons requiring research or presenting information to their peers.

A clear progression of skills is implemented for pupils from EYFS to Year 6 using the Kapow computing curriculum. Skills, continually revisited, are built upon to ensure that pupils make, or exceed, expected progress. Units can often link to the wider curriculum. We work alongside external partners, such as our local police force, who visit the school to lead various topics, including online safety. We also pride ourselves on supporting parents and carers who may require support with technology at home and we uphold an ‘open door policy’.

Schema words are used appropriately by teaching staff which ensures that children are using appropriate terminology. Parents are involved with changes in the computing curriculum and online safeguarding through regular updates online via Dojo and workshops within school (starting 2025/2026).

A range of excellent resources are used by pupils to implement their learning: BeeBots, Crumble Bots, Programming software, including SCRATCH and iPads. These interesting and exciting pieces of hardware ensure that pupils have a passion for computing and fire enquiring minds.

The curriculum design at Boxford Primary School has been developed to link directly to foundation and core subjects using the progression of skills grids. Here are number of ways we have, and will, support learning for pupils:

-Staff use a Foundation Tracker to identify pupil progress. This then enables staff to target pupils with additional support and also stretch those who show a natural aptitude to computing.

-Teachers support children with SEND in classrooms using specialist devices such as voice recognition, large print keyboards and also apps to support and embed spelling skills.

-Self-reporting forms are available in all classes and children have the opportunity to voice their concerns if they are worried about anything that may have happened online, whether it is in school or at home.

-Working alongside BT at Martlesham, KS2 pupils have attended a number of taster days which build upon their coding skills. This exciting event which occurs annually is an opportunity to meet likeminded children who enjoy computing, but also explore jobs which are broad ranging in the IT sphere.

-Regular pupil perceptions identify areas of strength and develop in this curriculum area. Pupils’ views are taken on board and fed into changes made with the bespoke curriculum design at Boxford Primary School. Schema words are used to promote vocabulary in class and broaden the language of all pupils.