iCompute already has it covered!
The Curriculum and Assessment Review recently published its final report, Building a world-class curriculum for all(November 2025), alongside the Government’s response.
For Computing, the message is simple: the curriculum needs updating so pupils develop the knowledge and confidence to fully participate in the digital world — and to use technologies safely, creatively and effectively.
Artificial Intelligence is a significant part of that, and it isn’t something schools will be able to ignore.
At iCompute, we are proud to be the first ever scheme of work that both teaches about AI and uses AI as part of learning computing across all Key Stages. That pioneering spirit is central to everything we do. For over a decade, thousands of teachers have trusted iCompute because of our expertise and innovation in computer science education.
We are always ahead of the curve – anticipating change and embracing new technologies that make teaching and learning richer and more relevant.
Digital literacy is key
The curriculum review highlights that digital literacy is not just “being good at using devices”. Digital literacy includes the skills, behaviors, and confidence needed to use technology creatively, safely, and effectively. It also invoves making informed decisions about the implications, risks, and impacts of digital technology. Being digitally literate helps children adapt, and do well in the modern world, use technology responsibly, and actively participate in learning across all subjects.
The review also makes clear that schools should not assume children will develop these skills automatically. Advances in AI and generative AI have made digital literacy even more critical.
Computing is expected to remain the main subject responsible for delivering this.
Artificial Intelligence has changed the digital world
The Review states that recent developments in AI and generative AI make digital literacy even more important. While the long-term impact of AI remains uncertain, children should understand how it works, its capabilities, strengths and its limitations.
The revised Programme of Study is set to explicitly incorporate AI.
What we’re already doing
At iCompute, we have been teaching the skills described in the Review for years.
Digital literacy is already built into our curriculum
This includes safe use of technology, critical thinking, online responsibility and practical digital skills.
AI is already taught across the primary phase
We already teach three separate six-week AI units, and have more to come. These are throughout the primary phase:
- KS1
- Lower KS2
- Upper KS2
This means pupils revisit the topic in an age-appropriate way, building understanding as they mature.
Start teaching a computing curriculum fit for today, now
Schools shouldn’t have to wait until 2028. The Government’s timeline is sensible for national reform, but schools can’t pause their children’s education until the refreshed curriculum arrives. AI is already shaping how children search, learn, communicate, and decide what to trust online. That is why the Review is right to highlight digital literacy and AI as essential areas for Computing.
At iCompute, we agree — and thats why we’re already delivering it.
Sign up for a freel trial at icompute-uk.com to see how iCompute can help you teach the revised computing curriculum like a specialist.
iCompute are delighted to partner with code.org again this year by providing lots of fun, creative, activities for schools to use as part of this event and throughout the year. We’ve put together, free, Christmas themed lessons and lots more, including coding apps, sending secret messages with Morse Code, animating a snowman and saving Santa! Included are detailed step-by-step lesson plans with built in differentiation and creative ideas for extension and enrichment.
Teacher’s computing education business goes global
Liane O’Kane established iCompute for Primary Schools in 2013 while she was teaching part-time in Cumbria.
Although she initially trained in computer science, Liane became a teacher in 2011. She became one of the few primary computer science master teachers funded by the Department of Education in 2014 to prepare schools for the introduction of the National Curriculum for Computing.
Liane also saw the opportunity to develop a business to help teachers fulfil the curriculum.
She used her lesson plans as a base to create schemes of work which schools could buy in and use to teach students from nursery through to Year Six.
iCompute now produces schemes of work which are used by thousands of schools in the UK, as well as overseas.
Most recently the Ministry of Education on the Cayman Islands, in the Caribbean, has taken on the resources produced by iCompute. Liane expects to travel to the islands to assist with the rollout in its schools later this year.
“I have had the benefit of studying computing at GCSE and then degree level and then working in industry,” said Liane.
“It’s about understanding what the National Curriculum is and what the objectives need be in each key stage. It’s about making it fun for the pupils and easy to teach for the teachers.”
She said the schemes of work included practical, active ways of teaching youngsters the concepts behind computing – for example, pretending to be the ‘spiders’ and ‘crawlers’ in a search engine – rather than hours sat in front of a screen.
The resources are entirely digital, which means Liane can make constant updates to keep step with changing technology.
“It is constantly evolving and I think that’s unique,” said Liane.