Computing

We aim to prepare our learners for their future by giving them the opportunities to gain knowledge and develop skills that will prepare them for an ever-changing digital world. Knowledge and understanding of Computing is of increasing importance for every child; both at home and for the future. To encourage a love for learning in Computing, we support children’s creativity and cross-curricular learning, ensuring there are Computing links to other areas of the curriculum.

E-Safety also plays a critical role in our curriculum and embedding this in lessons throughout the year is a key priority. Through using CEOP and taking part in E-Safety day, children are taught how to keep safe online. We want to ensure that children are taught the importance of making the sensible choices online and acting responsible. We aim to make sure there are many links to:
• cyber-bullying
• posting and sharing on social media platforms – and what is inappropriate/appropriate behaviour when it comes to posting comments or sharing pictures.
• their online footprint.
• ensuring that children ‘think before they click’.
• fake-news online and how to tell the difference.
• learning what is inappropriate behaviour from other online users and how to report this or block it.

We follow the Purple Mash scheme complemented with units from Kapow; this ensures that progression of skills in computer science, information technology and online safety occurs and through this scheme, children become competent in safely using, as well as understanding, technology. The scheme allows children to revisit each skill repeatedly through a range of themes or scenarios, in the case of E-Safety. This is so that learning is embedded and skills are successfully developed in a creative and enjoyable way. The teaching of vocabulary is key here in order to help children progress through to each stage of their learning.

As part of information technology, children have the opportunity to be creative and express themselves by using technology to write, present and develop their own artwork using multimedia.
• Computer science – we encourage children to think critically and logically through creating algorithms, sorting and presenting data, and children are given practical experiences to help them solve computing problems, such as de-bugging programmes.
• Digital literacy – children are also given practical experiences regarding the safe use of technology, for example, children are given e-safety scenarios through the use of email, the internet and other networks.
• Online safety – a very important part of the curriculum in order to make sure our children can keep themselves safe in the wider world. This is why children are regularly reminded how to keep safe online within lessons as well as standalone lessons, such as during E-Safety day and through lessons from Purple Mash, Kapow and CEOP.

The aims and purposes of teaching the Computing Curriculum in this way will equip our children with:
• the skills and knowledge to be able to use technology responsibly and safely.
• the understanding of what cyberbullying is and how this can affect children. Therefore, our children will have the knowledge and understanding to be kind to others online.
• the understanding that we have an online footprint and that what we post online today can affect us in the future. Children will have the knowledge and skills to think before they post anything and that it is their responsibility to ‘think before they click’.
• the skills to block or report any inappropriate behaviour that they see online, whether they are being bullied, sent something inappropriate by someone else or contacted by someone they don’t know.
• they understand that programmes can be used for various purposes.
• opportunities to understand that information can be displayed in different ways, linking to various parts of the curriculum.
• the motivation and enthusiasm in order to enhance their creativity.
• the skills to critically think, analyse and evaluate when working with various programmes.
• the opportunity to develop their own thoughts and attitudes towards technology as they become aware of the advantages and disadvantages of technology.
• the confidence and capability to use technology throughout their later life and enable them to respond more confidently to new developments in technology.
• the knowledge and understanding of how to look after and use computing hardware appropriately and safely.

Computing Policy

Computing Progression Document