Computing & Online Safety

Believe

At Ridgeway Farm CE Academy, we believe that computing equips children to understand, participate in and help shape an increasingly digital world. Technology provides powerful opportunities for creativity, communication, problem-solving and learning, but children must also understand how to use it safely, responsibly and wisely.

Rooted in our Christian vision, we believe that computing should help children use their knowledge and talents positively, treating others with respect and making thoughtful choices both online and offline.

We believe computing should:

• Develop confident, creative and responsible users of technology

• Build computational thinking and problem-solving skills

• Encourage curiosity, logical thinking and perseverance

• Enable children to create, communicate and collaborate

• Develop understanding of how digital systems work

• Promote safe, respectful and responsible online behaviour

• Prepare children for future learning, employment and life

• Help children recognise both the opportunities and risks associated with technology

Our vision is to develop digitally literate children who believe in their ability to solve problems, create purposeful digital content and use technology safely and responsibly.

Learn

From September 2026, Computing at Ridgeway Farm CE Academy is taught using the Kapow Primary Computing scheme. This provides a carefully sequenced, engaging and progressive curriculum from Reception to Year 6.

The curriculum develops knowledge and skills across five key areas:

• Computing systems and networks

• Programming

• Creating media

• Data handling

• Online safety

These areas support the three main strands of the National Curriculum: computer science, information technology and digital literacy.

Children learn through practical, creative and purposeful activities, including:

• Understanding how computers and networks work

• Designing, writing and debugging programs

• Using logical reasoning to explain how algorithms work

• Collecting, organising and interpreting data

• Creating digital images, animations, audio and video

• Selecting appropriate technology for different purposes

• Communicating and collaborating using digital tools

• Recognising reliable information and identifying online risks

• Understanding privacy, consent, copyright and digital footprints

• Knowing how and when to seek help

Knowledge and skills are revisited with increasing depth so that children build securely on their previous learning. Lessons include teacher modelling, practical exploration, discussion, independent problem-solving and opportunities to evaluate and improve digital outcomes.

Online safety is taught explicitly and reinforced throughout the curriculum and wider school life. Children learn how to protect their personal information, communicate respectfully, identify inappropriate or misleading content and report anything that makes them feel worried or uncomfortable.

Teachers use questioning, observation, practical outcomes, pupil explanations and Kapow’s assessment materials to identify what children understand and determine their next steps.

Grow

Through our Computing curriculum, children grow into confident, creative and responsible digital citizens who:

• Use technology purposefully and independently

• Understand important computing concepts

• Design, create and evaluate digital content

• Apply computational thinking to solve problems

• Persevere when programs or processes do not work initially

• Make informed and responsible choices online

• Understand how to keep themselves and others safe

• Communicate respectfully in digital environments

• Consider the reliability and purpose of online information

• Apply their computing skills across the wider curriculum

• Recognise how technology can be used to improve lives and serve others

The impact of Computing at Ridgeway Farm CE Academy is seen through children’s confidence, creativity and ability to explain and apply their learning. Children demonstrate secure progression across computer science, information technology and digital literacy.

They leave Ridgeway Farm CE Academy as capable, thoughtful and responsible users of technology, equipped with the knowledge, character and confidence needed to flourish in a changing digital world.