Hands-on unplugged computing sessions covering algorithms, coding logic, AI literacy and digital citizenship. Mapped to the KS1 + KS2 Computing National Curriculum and the 2028 statutory expansion. Perfect for Hour of Code (December) and Safer Internet Day (February). Trusted by 1,800+ UK schools.
The Computing National Curriculum has been statutory since 2014, but it remains one of the hardest subjects for primary schools to teach with confidence. The 2024 Royal Society report on computing education found that only 1 in 5 primary schools has a subject specialist for computing, and staff CPD in the subject has fallen since 2019. Meanwhile the DfE 2028 curriculum review is expanding computing to add AI literacy, algorithmic bias and digital citizenship as required strands from September 2028.
The good news: most of what pupils need to learn in primary computing is teachable without expensive kit. Algorithms, decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, evaluation of information sources, and understanding what AI actually is — these are all better taught unplugged than through app-tapping. Our workshop gives your pupils a full day of hands-on computing that any teacher can follow up on Monday without having to book the ICT suite.
Our AI Discovery + Navigate the Digital World combined workshop hits all three strands of the KS1 and KS2 Computing National Curriculum plus the 2028 statutory additions.
Unplugged algorithmic thinking, sequencing, decomposition, pattern-spotting. KS1 build morning-routine algorithms; KS2 progress to conditionals ("if this happens, then…") and debugging simple programs on paper before touching a keyboard.
Selecting the right digital tool for a task, evaluating information sources, respecting copyright, working collaboratively online. Practical scenarios pupils recognise from their own lives.
Personal information, online kindness, spotting scams and misleading content, knowing where to go for help. Maps directly to statutory PSHE Health Education and the UK Safer Internet Centre resources.
What AI actually is (pattern-matching, not thinking), how to spot when text or images are AI-generated, how to write prompts that help you learn rather than replace your thinking, and where AI can go wrong (hallucinations, bias, deepfakes).
What it means to belong to an online community. Group-chat culture, gaming ethics, digital footprint. Age-appropriate — Year 3 focuses on kindness in class group chats; Year 6 tackles reputation, permanence, and reporting.
Pupils leave with a computational-thinking toolkit they can apply in maths, English, science and PSHE — decomposition helps them plan writing, pattern recognition helps them spot maths errors, abstraction helps them summarise.
Hour of Code (Computer Science Education Week, December). The most common anchor for a computing workshop day. Runs the first full week of December each year. Book by mid-October to secure Hour of Code week itself. Pairs beautifully with a Nativity-week wind-down.
Safer Internet Day (Tuesday 9 February 2027). The second natural anchor. Combines the AI + digital citizenship content with a whole-school assembly. Book by early January to secure the day itself.
Schools running our Whole-School Programme typically book both — Hour of Code as the autumn anchor and Safer Internet Day as the spring anchor — giving computing two visible touch-points across the year rather than a single one-off.
A 20-minute WOW opener explaining what AI is, what it can and can't do, and why pupils need to be its master rather than its slave. Sets the tone.
Half day: 4 sessions (up to 128 pupils). Full day: 7 sessions (up to 224 pupils). All unplugged — no laptops needed unless you want to use them for optional follow-up.
A 4-lesson unit of work for each key stage that your class teacher can deliver in the weeks after our workshop. Video demonstrations included so the teacher isn't guessing.
Multiplies impact. Parents get a pre-written letter with 4 conversation-starters about AI, algorithms and online safety — turning our workshop into a home-learning moment too.
All facilitators Enhanced DBS-checked. Safeguarding pack sent in advance. Age-appropriate delivery calibrated to your school's e-safety curriculum.
Maps to KS1 + KS2 Computing statutory objectives with observable pupil outcomes. One A4 evidence sheet for your subject leader file.
Spark2 computing workshops map to the three strands of the KS1 and KS2 Computing National Curriculum: computer science (algorithms, code, logic), information technology (using devices safely and creatively), and digital literacy (recognising responsible online behaviour and AI-generated content). Pupils work with unplugged activities and simple visual coding.
No — that's the point. Our AI Discovery + Navigate the Digital World combined workshop is largely unplugged. Pupils learn algorithms, coding logic, AI reasoning and bias-spotting through physical activities and paper-based exercises. Any device work is optional and works on your existing school laptops or tablets.
The DfE 2028 curriculum review expands the Computing curriculum to include AI literacy, digital citizenship, and understanding of algorithmic bias. Our workshop is already built around those areas, giving your school an early start rather than a late scramble in 2027-28.
£499 half day (up to 128 pupils, 4 sessions) or £599 full day (up to 224 pupils, 7 sessions) plus VAT. Future Skills mission-led pricing. All resources included.
Both are common anchors. Hour of Code runs in December each year (Computer Science Education Week). Safer Internet Day is Tuesday 9 February 2027. Some schools book us for both across the year; others use a single day as their whole-school computing WOW.
Yes. Our Skills Passport keeps pupils working on AI literacy and digital citizenship weekly across the year, not just on workshop day. Free for your first year with any workshop booking.
Hour of Code (December) and Safer Internet Day (Feb 2027) are the most-booked dates. Book early to secure your chosen day.