Computing
Our Intent for Computing
Our vision is to embed computing in as many learning opportunities as possible. This will provide our children with concrete experiences of when and how they can use digital media in different aspects of their lives. Through stimulating and challenging experiences children will continue to develop their love for learning and through this become confident and independent users of a range of software and hardware. In the ever-changing digital world, we aim to provide all children with not only the skills to use the technology that exists today, but the life-long thinking skills and passion to continue to develop their love for computing through school and beyond.
The school is particularly well-equipped with Information and Communication Technology resources. Each class has at least three desktop computers and there are 20 laptops which can be used by the children. Children in Years 5 & 6 are allocated an individual Chromebook. We also have a bank of ipads that the children use in a variety of lessons. All children regularly use the equipment throughout the school year, developing their skills through an ever-increasing bank of educational programmes. Each class has an interactive whiteboard which has proved to be a valuable teaching aid for both staff and pupils.
Implementation of the Curriculum
At Turvey Primary School the class are timetabled for one lesson of computing a week, however computing is embedded across the curriculum. We follow the ‘Switched On: Computing’ scheme, published by Rising Stars, as a starting point for the planning of their computing lessons, which are often richly linked to engaging contexts in other subjects and topics. For example in Year 2 Science when learning about insects, the children create their own table in Microsoft Word, go out on a bug hunt and then record their results in an online graphing tool, finally printing out their work. Employing cross-curricular links motivates pupils and supports them to make connections and remember the steps they have been taught.
The implementation of the curriculum also ensures a balanced coverage of computer science, information technology and digital literacy. The children will have experiences of all three strands in each year group, but the subject knowledge imparted becomes increasingly specific and in depth, with more complex skills being taught, thus ensuring that learning is built upon. For example, children in Key Stage 1 learn what algorithms are, which leads them to the design stage of programming in Key Stage 2, where they design, write and debug a program. The children have access to a set of ipads to ensure that all year groups have the opportunity to use a range of devices and programs for many purposes across the wider curriculum, as well as in discrete computing lessons.
E-Safety
Our curriculum has a strong focus teaching pupils how to use technology safely and responsibly, and this premise is used to deliver teaching of technical skills and understanding of how technology is used, as well as the ability to apply the use of technology in contexts which our pupils can relate with. With all these elements combined we aim to develop ‘digital wise’ learners for a digital age.
In order for the children to be confident in looking after themselves online we have to work with parents and carers. It is important the children get a consistent message from all the adults in their lives about online safety.
Your children are increasingly using the Internet at school and at home from a younger age. At school, we take steps to ensure that your children are aware of how to stay safe online.
Educating the children about the SAFE use of technology is vital. E-Safety is taught to all the children within school. Lessons are tailored to the age of the children so appropriate messages are being understood. Children learn about appropriate behaviours online and about how they can stay safe. E-safety is embedded into the curriculum, and we also have E-safety week in school which runs in February each year.
Here are some sites that you might find useful:
CEOP works with a multi-agency approach across the UK and overseas to identify the main threats to children and coordinates activity against these threats to bring offenders to account. They protect children from harm online and offline.
No search engine is 100% safe but here are some child-friendly alternatives: