At Burnt Oak Junior School, we believe that computing plays an important role in preparing children for an increasingly digital world. Our curriculum encourages children to become confident, creative and responsible users of technology, developing the knowledge and skills they need both in school and beyond.

Through practical and engaging lessons, children learn to use technology purposefully, solve problems and think logically. We encourage them to explore new ideas, develop their independence and understand how technology can support learning, communication and creativity.

We also place great importance on helping children stay safe online, ensuring they understand how to use technology responsibly and treat others with respect.

Our Computing Curriculum – NCCE and Kapow

At Burnt Oak Junior School, we use the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) scheme of work to deliver a carefully planned and sequenced computing curriculum, alongside Kapow to support online safety education.

Our curriculum builds progressively from Year 3 to Year 6, allowing children to revisit and strengthen their knowledge whilst developing increasingly complex digital skills.

Children explore three key areas of computing:

• Computer Science – developing an understanding of programming, algorithms and how computer systems work.

• Information Technology – learning to use digital tools to create, organise, present and analyse information.

• Digital Literacy – becoming confident, safe and responsible users of technology.

Throughout their time at Burnt Oak, children develop their knowledge and skills through a range of practical learning experiences.

These include:

• Programming and coding – creating sequences, exploring repetition and selection, and developing programs using tools such as Scratch, Crumble and micro.

• Creating digital media – using technology to edit photographs, produce animations, create audio recordings, design vector graphics and edit videos.

• Data and information – learning to organise, interpret and present data using branching databases, spreadsheets, data logging and flat-file databases.

• Computer systems and networks – understanding how digital devices, networks and the internet work and how technology supports communication and collaboration.

• Problem-solving and logical thinking – designing, testing and debugging programs, learning to identify errors and improve their work.

As children progress through the school, they become increasingly confident in selecting and using digital tools independently, applying their knowledge to new challenges and developing their understanding of how technology works.

Online Safety

Keeping children safe online is a key priority at Burnt Oak Junior School. We use Kapow to support our online safety teaching, ensuring children develop the knowledge and confidence to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.

Online safety is taught progressively across the school and reinforced through everyday learning. Children learn about protecting personal information, recognising online risks, communicating respectfully and knowing where to seek help if something makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

We aim to equip children with the skills to make sensible, informed choices when using technology, both now and in the future.

Our goal is for children to leave Burnt Oak Junior School as confident, capable and responsible digital learners who are ready to embrace the opportunities and challenges of an ever-changing technological world.

For further information, please see our Online Safety Policy on the Policies page of our website.