ASHURST CE AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL
COMPUTING POLICY
September 2025
Aims – Our Intent
At Ashurst CE Aided Primary School we believe a high-quality computing education equips children to understand and change the world through logical thinking and creativity, including by making links with mathematics, science and design and technology. The core of computing is computer science, in which children are taught the principles of information and computation, and how digital systems work. Computing equips children to use ICT to create programs, systems and a range of media. It also ensures that children become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, ICT – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.
The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all children:
· Can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation
· Can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems
· Can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems
· Are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of ICT
Teaching and Learning Approaches – Our Implementation
The Early Years Foundation Stage
From September 2021 the early learning goal (ELG) in technology was removed from the EYFS statutory framework. Previously the ELG stated “Children recognise that a range of technology is used in places such as homes and schools. They select and use technology for particular purposes.”
Despite its exclusion from the renewed framework, technology undoubtedly has a role to play in early years classrooms, both in preparation for the National Curriculum and within the context of a technologically advanced society.
In EYFS, our children develop computing skills through both adult focussed activities and within the daily continuous provision. Children have access to games and programmes on the Interactive Whiteboards, iPads for games and painting programmes, and we have a bank of programmable toys (bee-bots) for encourage exploration into learning about coding. Adults show children how to use the resources effectively and encourage them to further increase their knowledge and skills. We also demonstrate how technology is used by encouraging the use of search engines to find out answers to their questions and to watch videos and play music.
Computing Curriculum and Planning
The school uses and adapts the Kapow scheme of work and long-term planning outlines which topic will be covered by which year group/phase and at what time of year. Long term planning ensures knowledge and skills progression in computer science, digital literacy and information technology.
The emphasis in lessons is to develop an understanding of how computers work, how they can be used as effective tools and how to keep safe whilst using computing technology. Children have the opportunity to work both individually and collaboratively to learn and develop their skills in programming, digital resource creation, electronic communication, research, control and information handling. They will also develop an increasingly broad understanding of technology including hardware, network and the Internet. All work conducted online will be delivered in the context of how to stay safe whilst accessing the World Wide Web. Within lessons, new subject specific vocabulary is introduced and used consistently and accurately. Each lesson provides opportunities for children to build on prior knowledge and learning. A cross-curricular approach is used wherever possible, linking learning to pupils’ interests and establishing real-life contexts for their work.
Every child benefits from a discrete, weekly computing lesson and teachers also provide opportunities for children to access technology in other areas of the curriculum. Our computing curriculum is based on the Kapow Computing scheme of work.
This scheme is a coherently planned programme which fully covers the requirements of the National Curriculum and is sequenced to allow children to build upon their computing knowledge as they progress through each year of school.
E-Safety is extremely important and we teach the children the E-Safety rules via regular timetabled slots using Project Evolve. To educate the children further and ensure that they have secure strategies to protect themselves and others, we take part in Safer Internet Day.
Impact:
Children will be confident users of technology, able to use it to accomplish a wide variety of goals linked to information technology, computer science and digital literacy both at home and in school. Children will have a secure and comprehensive knowledge of the implications of technology and digital systems. This is important in a society where technologies and trends are rapidly evolving. Children will know how to behave online, taking into account their digital footprint and how their actions can have impacts beyond their school or locality. The children will also have the opportunity to investigate and develop key ideas regarding current issues in school or society. Pupils will learn to showcase, share, celebrate and publish their work to best show the impact of our curriculum. Staff will look for evidence through reviewing pupil’s knowledge and skills digitally and observing learning regularly. This will be cross referenced with our long term plan and Computing Progression of Knowledge, Skills and Vocabulary document. Children will be able to apply the British values of democracy, tolerance, mutual respect, rule of law and liberty when using digital systems.
All classrooms are equipped with Clever Touch Interactive board/s, which are managed and run from a dedicated laptop computer. We have a range of iPads, Chromebooks and desk-top computers connected to a curriculum server by both wired and wireless network connections. All classes have access to the Ipads and they are utilised throughout a range of curriculum subjects. Additionally, both Reception/Y1 classes are equipped with Ipad tablets used for digitally storing and cataloguing observations of children. Additional Computing hardware is available to every class (e.g. floor robots, digital cameras), with KS2 pupils all having an individual Chromebook, including for Remote learning where required. All pupils have access to their Google Classroom account, together with other appropriate sites including Numbots, TTRockStars, Spelling Frame and Accelerated Reader as appropriate.
SEN Provision and Equal Opportunities
Ashurst CE Aided Primary School, has universal ambitions for every child, whatever their background or circumstances. Children learn and thrive when they are healthy, safe and engaged. In order to engage all children cultural diversity, home languages, gender and religious beliefs are all celebrated. Our curriculum includes a wide range of texts and other resources which represent the diversity and backgrounds of all our children.
Children identified as needing extra support in Computing and linked subjects will be given appropriate help to access the Computing curriculum in the classroom. Planning in Computing takes into account the targets set for individual children in their Individual Support Plans (ISPs). Their learning will be supported and incorporate specific approaches to enable them to learn, make progress and be successful. Children will be provided with challenges matched to their needs through a range of teaching strategies.
We aim to respond to children needs and overcome potential barriers for individuals and groups of children by:
· Ensuring that all children follow the scheme of learning for Computing.
· Providing curriculum materials and programmes, which are in no way class, gender or racially prejudice or biased.
· Providing opportunities for our children who do not have access at home to use the school computers/Internet to develop independent learning.
· Providing suitable challenges for more able children, as well as support for those who have emerging needs.
· Responding to the diversity of children’s social, cultural and ethnographical backgrounds.
· Overcoming barriers to learning through the use of assessment and additional support.
· Communication or language difficulties by developing computing skills through the use of all their individual senses and strengths.
· Movement or physical difficulties by developing computing skills through utilising their individual strengths.
· Behavioural or emotional difficulties (including stress and trauma) by developing the understanding and management of their own learning behaviours.
Children with Special Educational Needs benefit from using computers as it can enhance and extend access to the curriculum, which in turn encourages motivation and development of cross-curricular skills and so raises achievement. Opportunities to utilise ICT with children with SEND are thus maximised.
Staff use ICT in small groups and in one-to-one sessions to improve learning outcomes for example by implementing speech and language and reading programs using identified software.
Assessment
All children are tracked using the in-school tracking system. After each unit of work, class teachers assess children based on their knowledge and understanding linked to the objectives identified on the school planning documents.
As with other curriculum areas, pupils’ achievement in Computing is reported in the annual report to parents.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
All children deserve the opportunity to experience happy, fulfilled and successful lives. At Ashurst CE Aided Primary we acknowledge that mental wellbeing is a normal part of daily life, in the same way as physical health.
At Ashurst CE Aided Primary we nurture our bodies, minds, each other and our environment. By providing opportunities for learning outdoors, we aim to connect children and staff with their natural environment. We embrace the benefits this brings for mental health and physical and emotional wellbeing.
We promote pupils’ self-control and ability to self-regulate and recommend strategies for doing so. This will enable them to become confident in their ability to achieve well and persevere even when they encounter setbacks or when their goals are distant, and to respond calmly and rationally to setbacks and challenges. This integrated, whole-school approach to the teaching and promotion of health and wellbeing has the potential to positively impact on behaviour and attainment.
Pupils are also taught about the benefits of hobbies, interests and participation in their own communities. We encourage children to recognise that they are social beings and that spending time with others, taking opportunities to consider the needs of others and practising service to others, including in organised and structured activities and groups, are beneficial for health and wellbeing. Engaging in activities that promote mental well-being can indirectly contribute to improving overall health by alleviating stress, improving sleep patterns, improving attention span and boosting the immune system.
Children are inspired to follow their dreams when they leave school, whether that be to secure a job, begin vocational training or go on to further education.
At Ashurst CE Aided primary School we recognise that we have a shared responsibility to prepare our children to achieve mental, physical and economic wellbeing in a local, national and global context.
Digital technology can help improve mental health and wellbeing by making information more accessible and making it easier to connect with other people.
Computing at Ashurst promotes the use of technology positively, responsibly and safely. We aim to give children the skills and confidence to identify unsafe online behaviour and actions and to be able to stand up for what is right and report any actions that could or will lead to discrimination, bullying or harm to themselves or others. The education of pupils in E-Safety is essential so as to ensure children are equipped with the skills to recognise risks online, to be critically aware of the materials and content they access online, along with guidance on how to accurately validate information accessed via the internet. We want to develop children who know how to protect themselves and others.
Pupils are taught to use, access and express oneself through digital technology, including a critical understanding of technology’s impact on the individual and society. Computing builds resilience as children persevere to complete a task and to try all options to complete the work set; it provides children with opportunities to problem solve and seek possible solutions, it supports learning across the curriculum particularly in subjects such as maths, science, art and DT. The children are provided with opportunities to build and demonstrate resilience by continually practicing their skills and applying them in different areas of the curriculum.
Computing encourages children to develop a sense of individuality and to be able to demonstrate their own individual flair within the projects we set. The children can communicate their ideas and understanding using, where appropriate, different applications that are available in school. Their depth of understanding may also be demonstrated by the level of information they provide, the complexity of the task they complete or their ability to understand and develop the understanding of their peers.
Cultural Capital
At Ashurst we aim to support every child to gain the confidence and the ability to understand and contribute to a varied cultural awareness. We believe that taking children’s learning experiences beyond what they already know is a fundamental part of becoming an educated citizen in society.
Computing contributes to this through developing children’s understanding of digital technologies and their role in society, as well as the ability to use them effectively.
Cultural capital is an important aspect of Computing education because it can help to broaden children's horizons and enhance their knowledge of the digital world. Children who have more cultural capital are more likely to have a deeper understanding and appreciation of computing, which can motivate them to pursue computing as a subject or career in the future.
We aim to develop cultural capital by providing a range of experiences and opportunities to learn about computing. It includes: understanding the history of computing and its impact on society, including the contributions of diverse individuals and communities to the field; understanding the ethical and social implications of digital technologies, including issues related to privacy, security, and accessibility; accessing and using digital resources and tools effectively, including online libraries, archives, and research databases.
Cultural capital helps to promote equity and inclusion by ensuring that all children have access to the resources and opportunities needed to succeed. By developing cultural capital in the computing curriculum, children are better prepared to engage with and contribute to digital society in meaningful ways.
Health and Safety
Ashurst CE Aided Primary School is aware of the health and safety issues surrounding children’s use of Computing and takes these very seriously. We ensure that children have a safe environment in which to learn. We ensure effective filters are in place to safeguard children.
As such, we will ensure that:
· All fixed and portable appliance in school are tested by an LA approved contractor every twelve months.
· Damaged equipment is reported to the school Computing Lead / SBM who will arrange for repair or disposal. All IT equipment across the school is regularly maintained and serviced
· The school network is maintained, monitored and information recorded.
· Children learn about rights and responsibilities when using the Internet
E-Safety
E-Safety is an extremely important part of our school curriculum and every child is taught how to stay safe online. For further information please refer to the school’s Online Safety Policy. The school has a comprehensive programme in place for eSafety and annually takes part in the national e-safety week. Systems are filtered and monitored in line with DfE guidance throughout. The Securus systems are checked regularly by the Headteacher and the Subject lead for computing. Issues are reported and discussed with the Safeguarding Sub- committee, parents and children as appropriate.
Security, Legislation, Copyright and Data Protection
We ensure that the school community is kept safe by ensuring that:
· The school’s ICT support technician is responsible for regularly updating anti-virus software.
· The use of ICT and computing will be in line with the school’s Acceptable Use Policy (AUP).
· All staff, volunteers and children must sign a copy of the schools AUP.
· All children are aware of the school rules for responsible use on login to the school network and will understand the consequence of any misuse.
· Reminders for safe and responsible use of ICT and computing and the Internet will be displayed in all areas. Software/apps installed onto the school network must have been vetted by the teacher for suitable educational content before being purchased and installed. No personal software is to be loaded onto school computers. Further information can be found in the school’s Data Protection policy.
Internet Safety
At Ashurst, Internet access is planned to enrich and extend learning activities across the curriculum. However, we have acknowledged the need to ensure that all pupils are responsible and safe users of the Internet and other communication technologies both in school and outside. An Internet Access policy has thus been drawn up to protect all parties and rules for responsible Internet use are displayed next to each computer and in each classroom within our school. To further ensure the safety of the children we will teach each class the rights and responsibilities of using the Internet. A link on the school website homepage gives parents more information on e-Safety and parents are regularly provided with up to date support information for the safe use of Information Communication Technology.
Monitoring and Evaluation
This policy will be regularly reviewed by the Computing subject lead, in consultation with staff. Additional reviews will be undertaken, as and when elements of Computing are identified or prioritised within the School Development Plan.
This policy was reviewed in September 2025
Next review date: September 2026