United Kingdom · National Curriculum Attainment Targets
Year 1 Computing
An introductory course designed to build fundamental computational thinking skills through playful exploration and hands-on creation. Students learn to recognize patterns, give precise instructions, and use digital tools safely to express their ideas.
Algorithms and the Unplugged World
Students discover that algorithms are just sets of instructions used in everyday life. They practice creating and following sequences to achieve specific goals without using computers.
Exploring how simple daily tasks like making a sandwich or getting dressed are actually sequences of steps.
An introduction to the concept of debugging by identifying mistakes in simple physical sequences.
Students practice 'reading' a sequence of movements to predict where a person or object will end up.
Programming with Floor Robots
Moving from unplugged activities to physical devices, students use floor robots to explore directional language and simple programming.
Learning the basic commands of forward, backward, left, and right to move a robot across a map.
Students design a path for a robot to follow to avoid obstacles and reach a target.
Working in teams to solve puzzles and navigate complex mazes using logical reasoning.
Digital Painting and Creative Art
Students use creative software to understand how computers can be used for artistic expression and to develop mouse or touch skills.
Exploring different digital brushes, colors, and effects to understand how software tools mimic physical ones.
Using geometric shapes to build complex images like houses, cars, or animals on screen.
Understanding that digital work can be saved, retrieved, and shown to others.
Grouping and Organizing Data
Focusing on how we can label and sort objects based on their properties to make information easier to find.
Identifying different attributes of objects like color, size, and shape to group them.
Representing data visually using simple pictures to count and compare items.
Using a simple computer program to record and display information about the class.
Technology in Our Lives
Identifying technology in the school and home environments and understanding its purpose and impact.
A walk around the school to identify various pieces of technology and what they do.
Understanding that we interact with technology by giving it instructions and seeing or hearing a result.
Discussing how technology can be used for good and the importance of taking breaks from screens.
Safety and Digital Citizenship
Learning the basic rules for staying safe online and how to be kind and respectful in digital spaces.
Understanding that the things we do online can be seen by others and stay there for a long time.
Identifying trusted adults and learning when to seek help if something online feels strange or upsetting.
Learning about passwords and why some information, like our home address, should stay private.