As a school, we embrace the national vision for Computing and appreciate that, to achieve this, pupils must have access to a curriculum which is ‘balanced and broadly based’.
Our aim is to produce learners who are confident, discerning and effective users of technology and who also have a good understanding of computers and how computer systems work, and how they are designed and programmed. We believe that Computing is an integral part of preparing children to live in a world where technology is continuously and rapidly evolving.
Our Intent
At our school, we want to model and educate our pupils on how to use technology positively, responsibly and safely. We want our pupils to be creators and our broad curriculum encompassing computer science, information technology and digital literacy reflects this.
We recognise that technology can allow pupils to share their learning in creative ways. We also understand the accessibility opportunities technology can provide for our pupils. Our knowledge rich curriculum is balanced with the opportunity for pupils to apply their knowledge creatively which will in turn help our pupils become skilful computer scientists.
We strive to achieve this aim by:
• Embedding computing across the whole curriculum to make
learning creative and accessible. We want our pupils to be fluent with a range of
tools to best express their understanding and hope by Upper Key Stage 2, children
have the independence and confidence to choose the best tool to fulfil the task and
challenge set by teachers.
• Supporting all children in using technology with purpose and enjoyment
• Meeting, and building on the minimum requirement set out in the National Curriculum as fully as possible and helping all children to achieve the highest possible standards of achievement. We aim to provide an exciting, rich, relevant and challenging Computing curriculum for all pupils.
• Helping all children to develop the underlying skills and capability which is essential to developing Computing capability (such as problem solving, perseverance, learning from mistakes) and apply them elsewhere.
• Helping all children to develop the necessary skills to exploit the potential of technology and to become autonomous and discerning users
• Helping all children to evaluate the benefits and risks of technology, its impact on society and how to manage their use of it safely and respectfully.
Using technology to develop partnerships beyond the school and enthuse and equip children with the capability to use technology throughout their lives.
Giving children access to a variety of high quality hardware, software and unplugged resources.
Instil critical thinking, reflective learning and a ‘can do’ attitude for all our pupils, particularly when engaging with technology and its associated resources.
Teach pupils to become responsible, respectful and competent users of data, information and communication technology.
Teach pupils to understand the importance of governance and legislation regarding how information is used, stored, created, retrieved, shared and manipulated.
Use technology imaginatively and creatively to inspire and engage all pupils, as well as using it to be more efficient in the tasks associated with running an effective school.
Provide technology solutions for forging better home and school links.
Exceed the minimum government recommended/statutory guidance for programmes of study for Computing and other related legislative guidance (online safety).
Implementation
At Clifton CE Primary School, teachers are encouraged to progressively develop pupils’ Computing skills and capability through use of the Purple Mash schemes of work and also embracing opportunities for discrete learning opportunities to exploit this capability as a tool to support objectives in other curriculum areas meaningfully. These links include, but are not limited to, the use of a range digital devices in a wide range of contexts. Both plugged and unplugged learning opportunities are planned to support pupils’ understanding of the underlying concepts in Computing. These opportunities may well be presented within other subject areas (e.g. sequencing instructions in English, problems solving in Maths or isolating variables in Science). In this way Computing and the use of technology become integrated into the curriculum and are used as a truly beneficial tool for learning.
Using the Purple Mash schemes of work support our teachers in delivering fun and engaging lessons which help to raise standards and allow all pupils to achieve to their full potential. We are confident that this scheme of work meets the national vision for Computing. It provides immense flexibility and strong cross-curricular links.
The learning for each year group in Purple Mash is broken into units covering three main components:
Computer Science
Information Technology
Digital Literacy
These themes are mapped in a long -plan for the whole school, with elements of each theme taught in most terms.
Through the above components, we deploy appropriately challenging activities which develop children’s skills. We provide appropriate quality equipment for the teaching of Computing, which includes Ipads and a class set of laptops. This ensures that all year groups have the opportunity to use devices and programs for many purposes across the wider curriculum, as well as in discrete computing lessons.
Computing in the EYFS
In the EYFS, opportunities for the use of technology are an integral part of each area of learning and the school ensures that children have access to both continuous and enhanced provision. Links are made between the EYFS Early Learning Goals and the Y1 curriculum to ensure a smooth transition takes place. This will ensure that pupils enter Year 1 with a foundational of knowledge of computing. Our Computing scheme for Reception is centred around activities that focus on building children’s listening skills, curiosity, creativity and problem solving, whilst introducing them to Purple Mash programmes and features, such as:
2Paint a Picture for creating digital pictures
Mini Mash topic based picture stories to read
Simple City for creating a familiar environment
Slideshows for exploring topics of interest
2Design and Make to explore and create 3D model designs.
Computing in Reception at Clifton CE Primary means:
taking a photograph with tablet or camera
watching video clips and slideshows to support their learning across the curriculum
listening to music and using digital technology to create their own music
recording their voice (for singing, storytelling or building sentences verbally)
following and creating basic instructions to make objects on screen move or direct vehicles
exploring maps, jigsaws and accessing a variety of games to support their learning across all areas of learning
searching for information on the internet
using digital technology to support their learning (by planning models or recording their ideas, for example)
exploring mechanical and digital toys
Our Reception Computing Curriculum is designed to enable our youngest pupils to develop a familiarity with technology, digital equipment and vocabulary. The Purple Mash Scheme of Work for Reception is planned across all seven areas of learning (Communication and Language; Personal, Social and Emotional Development; Physical Development; Literacy; Mathematics; Understanding the World; and Expressive Art and Design). It is a flexible approach to meet the needs and interests of the children and provides teachers with lots of lesson ideas that support children’s development of knowledge, skills and understanding and provides them with an introduction to some of the Purple Mash programmes and features.
Computing in KS1/KS2
Key Stage 1 outcomes
Understand what algorithms are, how they are implemented as programs on digital devices, and that programs execute by following a sequence of instructions.
Write and test simple programs.
Organise, store, manipulate and retrieve data in a range of digital formats.
Communicate safely and respectfully online, keeping personal information private, and recognise common uses of information technology beyond school.
Key Stage 2 outcomes
Design and write programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts.
Use sequence, selection and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output; generate appropriate inputs and predicted outputs to test programs.
Use logical reasoning to explain how a simple algorithm works and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs.
Understand computer networks including the internet; how they can provide multiple services, such as the worldwide web; and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration.
Describe how Internet search engines find and store data; use search engines effectively; be discerning in evaluating digital content; respect individuals and intellectual property; use technology responsibly, securely and safely.
Select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information.
Safeguarding Children: Online Safety
At Clifton CofE Primary School we believe that the use of technology in schools brings great benefits. To live, learn and work successfully in an increasingly complex and information-rich society, our children must be able to use technology effectively. The use of these exciting and innovative technology tools in school and at home has been shown to raise educational standards and promote pupil achievement. Yet at the same time we recognise that the use of these technologies can put young people at risk within and outside the school.
The biggest impact we want on our children is that they understand the consequences of using the internet and that they are also aware of how to keep themselves safe online. We believe in teaching children the importance of using computers appropriately and developing skills for staying safe online.
As well as teaching children about online safety through their computing lessons, we also take part in the National Safer Internet Day annually, to positively reinforce the key messages around staying safe online with pupils and parents. This allows us to implement an effective and engaging approach to online safety while meeting our safeguarding duties as outlined in the latest KCSIE (Keeping Children Safe in Education) guidance.
Access and Inclusion
Each pupil’s access to technology varies greatly dependent on the nature of the activity they are involved in (e.g. some activities benefit from prolonged access to a computer whilst other are best served with brief access to a digital device for a focussed purpose). However, on average, pupils have 1 hour allocated to Computing each week using a mixture of unplugged activities and the following technology:
Laptops
iPads
Programming equipment
In addition to discrete Computing sessions, opportunities to develop and extend Computing capability are provided in other curriculum areas and technology is used to support most other subject areas.
The SEND lead advise teachers on examples of technology which can be provided to support individual children with particular physical, linguistic and educational needs, including gifted and talented pupils.
Children with access to technology at home are encouraged to use it for educational benefit and online safety guidance is offered to both pupils and parents where appropriate.
Impact
Our Computing Curriculum has been structured to demonstrate a progression of skills and ensures that children can build on their understanding, as each new concept and skill is taught with opportunities for children to revisit skills and knowledge as they progress through school.’