Computing at Shillington Lower School
Intent
Our computing prepares the children at Stondon Lower School to be confident and competent in a rapidly changing digital world. We aim to ensure our children go through education and beyond being able to apply the computing skills they have learnt in everyday situations. Children will develop the skills necessary to be able to use information in an effective way to allow them to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information. Our children will gain essential knowledge and skills in the main areas of the computing curriculum: computer science (programming and understanding how digital systems work), information technology (using computer systems to store, retrieve and send information) and digital literacy (evaluating digital content and using technology safely and respectfully). The objectives within each area support the development of learning across the key stages, ensuring a solid grounding for future learning and beyond.
Implementation
We achieve this by providing children with a curriculum that allows them to develop a wide range of fundamental skills, knowledge and understanding. At Stondon Lower School we are guided by the National Curriculum for Computing (2014).
The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all pupils:
- can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation
- can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems
- can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems
- are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
Internet safety is taught regularly at an age appropriate level and forms the basis of all computing learning. We promote the importance of using technology safely and respectfully by ensuring all children understand the importance of staying safe online.
In the EYFS children begin to develop their understanding of computing by using programmable robots, which allow them to create simple sets of instructions to programme the device to move to different destinations.
In KS1, children develop their understanding of coding and programming and begin to use a variety of resources including code.org, Tynker and Scratch Junior. These programmes allow the children to complete tasks to write code and programme as well as developing their understanding of debugging and how to make the programmes work correctly. Children also begin to develop their digital literacy skills as they are introduced to programmes including Microsoft Word, which they use to copy and paste images and text as well as developing their ability to type.
In KS2 children further their computational thinking and understanding by continuing to use code.org and being introduced to Scratch; this program enables the children to create interactive programs such as stories, quizzes, animations and games. They will also begin using Turtle Academy which introduces them to writing their own lines of code. Children will also develop their digital literacy by continuing to use Microsoft Word and learning how to use Microsoft PowerPoint.
Children across all key stages are exposed to a range of technology including: iPads, laptops and the use of interactive boards in each classroom. This allows the children to develop their knowledge and skills of using different equipment for different purposes and outcomes. Teachers also use the BT Barefoot and Teach Computing resources to support their teaching.
Impact
We know it is successful because our children are becoming confident users of a wide range of hardware and software. The children are digitally literate and able to join the rest of the world on its digital platform, equipped, not only with the skills and knowledge to use technology effectively and for their own benefit, but more importantly – safely. The biggest impact we have for our children is that they understand how to use the internet safely and securely, knowing how to keep themselves safe online.