Computing at Forres Primary Academy

Our children are growing up in an ever-changing world where technology plays an increasingly significant role in everyday life. We aim to inspire and equip them with the knowledge, skills and confidence to question, create, analyse and safely navigate the digital world, preparing them for their technological futures.

At Forres, we encourage curiosity, exploration and resilience by providing children with regular opportunities to practise, evaluate and apply their computational knowledge and skills as they progress through the school and beyond. Google applications form the core platform for learning, and we continually explore new digital tools and platforms that further enhance teaching and learning. We are committed to investing in technology and physical computing resources to enrich our curriculum. Through the use of programmable devices and hands-on physical computing experiences, children are able to develop a deeper understanding of how computing can be
applied to solve real-world problems. These opportunities help bring the curriculum to life and inspire children to become creative and confident digital learners.
To further develop children's enthusiasm for computing, we offer a Coding Club for Key Stage 2 pupils. This provides opportunities for children to extend their programming knowledge, explore new technologies and tackle creative computational challenges beyond the classroom.

At Forres, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework and the National Curriculum for Key Stages 1 and 2. To support delivery, we use the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) scheme of work. This scheme is structured around four key strands: Computing Systems and Networks, Creating Media, Programming, and Data and Information, with Online Safety taught throughout each unit from our e-safety curriculum. Children from Year 1 to Year 6 record, reflect upon and present their learning through digital floorbooks, which are stored and shared through their Google Classroom pages. These digital floorbooks showcase progression in knowledge and skills, celebrate achievements, and provide a meaningful record of learning for pupils, teachers and parents. This approach ensures that computing is safe, purposeful and meaningful whilst helping children understand how technology connects to the wider world and prepares them for a future in which digital literacy and technological understanding will play an increasingly important role in society. Our approach is informed by both our community and our children, ensuring that online safety guidance and support are relevant, responsive and effective.