‘To prepare our children to be confident and competent within a world that is heavily shaped by technology.’
Intent Statement:
At Myddle, we aim to deliver a computing education that equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand the ever changing world we now live in. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems.
The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate so they are able to use and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology, suitably preparing them for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.
Curriculum/Scheme of work:
We use the published scheme ‘Kapow Primary’. In this scheme children will learn how computers and computer systems work; they will design and build programs, develop their ideas using technology and create a range of content. Units of work can be taught in isolation as weekly lessons or can be blocked at the discretion of the teacher.
Our computing curriculum is split up into the following four sections:
Digital literacy
Digital literacy forms the backbone of the computing curriculum at Myddle. As children progress through KS1 and KS2 they will become increasingly confident in the application of their digital skills, becoming more efficient and effective communicators, collaborators and analysts, showing imagination and creativity in their use of ICT in different aspects of their learning and in life beyond school.
Technology in the world
Children should develop an understanding of how technology makes a difference in all aspects of life- at home, at school and in the workplace, as well as considering the impact technology has had on society over the years and the changes it has brought.
Technical understanding
Children develop the knowledge and understanding of how technology works. This extends from an awareness that there is ‘something inside’ a piece of technology to make it work. Progressing through KS1 and KS2 to children creating their own simple programs including games and applications with exposure to computer codes and scripts.
Online Safety
Online safety is a fundamental element computing teaching and technology. Online Safety sessions take place throughout the computing curriculum as well as in PSHE lessons. We also take part in yearly events such as Internet Safety week. The SMART rules, compiled by Childnet, are shared with children and displayed in each classroom.
Implementation
Early Years:
Children are introduced to the understanding of internet safety as they explore the world around them and learn how technology is an everyday part of their understanding of the world. They explore technology through play and build an understanding of simple devices, e.g. cameras, I Pads and simple electronic games.
In Key Stage 1:
Children learn to understand what algorithms are, how they are implemented as programs on digital devices and that programs are executed by following precise and unambiguous instructions. They are taught to create and debug simple programs and to use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs. They are shown how to use a range of technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content as well as to recognise common uses of information technology beyond school. As a paramount, they are taught to use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; to identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies.
Key Stage 2:
Children design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating systems. They solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts. They use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs. They use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and correct errors in algorithms and programs. Children are taught to understand computer networks, including the internet, and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration. They use search technologies effectively, learn to appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and are taught to be discerning in evaluating digital content. Children are taught to select, use and combine a variety of software on a range of digital devices to create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals. They use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour and identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact.
Impact:
After the implementation of the high quality-computing curriculum we offer, children will be digitally literate. They will be equipped, not only with the skills and knowledge to use technology effectively and for their own benefit, but more importantly have the knowledge and self-regulation to use it safely.
The most important impact for our children is that they understand the consequences of using the internet and that they are aware of how to keep themselves safe online.
In addition, we measure the impact of our curriculum through the following criteria:
- A reflection on standards achieved against the planned outcomes
- How children understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation;
- How children can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems;
- How children can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems;
- How responsible, competent, confident and creative children are as users of information and communication technology.
Documents:
Primary National Curriculum – Computing
Kapow Primary Computing Overview
Computing Skills Progression Map
KS1-AUP
KS2-AUP
Glossary of Computing Terminology
Useful Websites:
Childnet
A non-profit making organisation working with others to help make the Internet a great and safe place for children.
Think U Know
Provides the latest information on the sites young people like to visit, mobiles and new technology. It’s separated into different age groups: 5-7years, 8-10 and 11-16 years. There is also a ‘parent/carer’ and ‘teacher/trainer’ section. It discusses what’s good; what’s not so good about the internet; about online risks and what you can do about them.
Parents Protect
A charity organisation with some great links for online safety.