Computing

At New Monument, we want our children to become confident, creative and responsible users of technology, equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

Our Computing curriculum begins in Early Years, where children develop curiosity about how things work and explore simple technology through purposeful play. As pupils move through the school, this develops into an increasingly ambitious curriculum encompassing computer science, programming, data handling, digital media, computer systems and networks, and online safety. 

We want pupils to understand technology, rather than simply know how to use it. From giving commands to Bee-Bots and learning about algorithms in Key Stage 1, pupils progress to coding with Scratch, understanding networks and computer components, designing websites, exploring HTML, programming Micro:bits and, by Year 6, learning about Python, nested loops, encryption and RFID technology. 

Technology is also an important tool for creativity, collaboration and problem-solving at New Monument. Pupils learn to create and edit digital content, work collaboratively using Microsoft 365, collect and analyse data and choose appropriate technology for different purposes. Our Year 4 1:1 device programme provides further opportunities for pupils to use technology purposefully across their learning, developing the digital fluency and independence they will need for the future. 

Preparing children for an AI-enabled world

We recognise that the digital world is changing rapidly. Our aim is not simply to prepare pupils for the technology that exists today, but to develop the critical thinking, adaptability and digital literacy they will need for technologies that continue to evolve.

This includes age-appropriate learning about artificial intelligence. By Year 6, pupils explore how prompts can be generated and refined, how AI can support the creation of HTML, and important ethical questions surrounding privacy, bias and responsible use. 

Alongside these opportunities comes responsibility. Online safety is woven throughout our Computing curriculum. Children progressively learn how to protect personal information, evaluate the reliability of online content, understand privacy and digital footprints, recognise misinformation and scams, and make safe and responsible decisions online. 

By the time pupils leave New Monument, we want them to be more than confident consumers of technology. We want them to become creators, problem-solvers and critical thinkers who understand how technology works, recognise its possibilities and risks, and have the confidence to use it thoughtfully, safely and creatively.