Empowering the next generation: how the Teach Computing Curriculum sets pupils up for success
In an increasingly digital world, careers in computing are shaping every industry, from healthcare to finance, entertainment to education. The focus on careers within the Teach Computing Curriculum is a powerful way to prepare pupils for a future where digital and computing skills are integral across every industry.
The Teach Computing Curriculum has recently been updated to introduce careers in computing at key stage 2, with careers embedded in eleven units across the phase. By incorporating career awareness into computing lessons, the curriculum not only enriches technical skills but also broadens pupils’ understanding of how these skills apply to real-world professions. This focus can greatly benefit pupils by making learning relevant, inspiring early career exploration, and sparking interest in the fast-paced, ever-changing field of technology.
Broadening career awareness
Many young pupils are unaware of the range of exciting careers within the computing field and often find it challenging to connect what they learn in school with potential careers. The Teach Computing Curriculum’s career-focused approach highlights how computing concepts apply in various jobs.
By showcasing careers like game designers, video producers, architects, and audio engineers, we can broaden their understanding of what’s possible, with pupils developing context and meaning to what is taught. This moves computing beyond abstract code and technology into tangible skills with real-world applications.
Careers are also a key component of the Computing Quality Framework (CQF), which provides guidance for schools to deliver high-quality computing education. The framework emphasises the importance of linking classroom learning with real-world applications, aiming to show pupils how computing skills translate into viable career opportunities. By incorporating career topics into the curriculum, schools can enrich their understanding and help pupils be aware of the practical relevance of the skills being developed.
I Belong: empowering girls in computer science
One of the key advantages of career-focused computing education is its potential to support a more diverse and inclusive tech industry. Encouraging girls to pursue careers in technology has proven to be challenging due to societal stereotypes and a lack of visible female role models in computing. By introducing computing careers at an early age, the curriculum can help break down stereotypes about who "belongs" in tech, with girls and boys alike seeing these skills as accessible and engaging.
Diverse role models, especially female professionals in tech, can inspire students, showing them that everyone has the potential to thrive in this field. This early encouragement is essential for cultivating a more inclusive tech industry in the future, boosting interest in tech careers among girls, minorities, and others traditionally underrepresented in the industry.
The careers updates links to the newly launched primary I Belong programme, which aims to inspire a sense of belonging in computing by fostering inclusive learning environments and address stereotypes around who can succeed in tech. More information can be found about the programme through our free CPD.
Raising aspirations with role models
The following units have been updated with links to career topics embedded throughout:
• IT Technician (Year 3 Connecting Computers)
• Editorial Designer (Year 3 Desktop Publishing)
• Animator (Year 3 Stop-frame animation)
• Audio engineer (Year 4 Audio Editing)
• Photographer (Year 4 Photo Editing)
• Data Security Analyst (Year 5 Flat-file Databases)
• Video Producer (Year 5 Video Production)
• Graphic designer (Year 5 Vector Graphics)
• Architect (Year 6 3D Modelling)
• Web designer (Year 6 Webpage Creation)
• Games designer (Year 6 Variables in games)
To give further real-world applications to these units, Computing Ambassadors can be used to support lessons. STEM Learning's Computing Ambassadors are professionals and volunteers who engage with pupils to share insights about careers in computing. These ambassadors are available to volunteer in schools to support these units, delivering talks and running workshops, making computing careers more tangible and relatable for students. Additionally, they bring real-world experience, explaining their own career paths, and can offer hands-on activities that showcase the practical applications of the computing skills.
You can find out more about what Computing Ambassadors have to offer by booking onto our free CPD below.
Planning a STEM Ambassador visit in your classroom is also an activity which can contribute towards achieving the National Centre for Computing Education's Teach primary certificate, so get stuck in today and take a step closer to earning your very own nationally recognised qualification!
Preparing pupils for a technology-driven future
Computing careers are reshaping our world, and it’s essential that key stage 2 pupils are equipped to understand and participate in this transformation. The Teach Computing Curriculum’s emphasis on careers is a powerful addition, providing students with a clear understanding of how their learning connects to the real world. By equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and inspiration they need, the career focused Teach Computing Curriculum is creating a generation of students who are both technically proficient and ready to explore meaningful, fulfilling careers in computing and beyond.