Intent
At St Joseph and St Theresa computing learner will use technology safely and responsibly and will be discerning in the decisions they make when doing this to become competent digital citizens. They will be confident in knowing terminology related to Online Safety, what is right and what is wrong in terms of their own and others online behaviour, what to do when reporting concerns about things they see online and will be intentional by ensuring their online behaviour is acceptable. The children will be able to use a variety of software and programs and will build on their knowledge and they progress through the school. They will become digitally literate and their skills will help equip them as future digital leaders and active participants in the world of technology.
Implementation
At St Joseph and St Theresa, computing is taught weekly in 45 minute sessions which is timetabled for Y1-Y6. This ensures that the children are able to develop a deep knowledge and understanding of their computing topics on a regular basis. In EYFS, Computing is taught across all areas of learning and through the teaching of computational thinking.
Teachers use the Purple Mash and the Project Evolve Curriculum programme for planning their units and lessons. Each child has an individual log on and password for Purple Mash which is distributed for use both at school and at home. This means that parents are also involved in their children’s computing education. Using their log ins, the children can save their work into their own folders and teachers can easily access and review the work completed by the children. Teachers can set homework using Purple Mash and the programme also provides opportunity for the teachers to make rich links with other areas of the curriculum in many lessons other than Computing.
Understanding of online safety is built upon as the children progress through their years within school. Children are taught from the beginning of Nursery regarding online safety, how use technology safely and responsibly and to keep personal information private. Online Safety is covered through the Project Evolve curriculum and this is taught every 3rd Computing lesson. Before each unit of lessons, children partake in a knowledge organiser to inform teachers where children need the most support. These are revisited at the end of the unit to show progression and gaps in learning. Children are also asked to sign Acceptable Use Agreements when using technology within school. Online Safety is also taught through other areas of the curriculum such as RSHE and through PSHE. Online Safety is also taught in every year group in a focus week in the Spring term. An assembly is used for children to showcase what they have learnt about online safety where parents are invited.
The children use iPads and Chrome Books for their Computing lessons where each child has their own individual log on and password.
The children are taught a variety of computing units in all key stages. For example, in reception, children use Purple Mash to cover areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. In key stage 1, children they are taught basic coding, how to make music using technology, how to create pictures and how to use spreadsheets. In key stage 2, these skills are built upon and the children continue to develop their understanding of coding and algorithms and also learn about touch typing, animation and databases.
Key, subject-specific vocabulary is shared with the children and displayed around the classroom. The children are always encouraged to answer in full sentences and are given access to a wide range of computing vocabulary such as ‘debug’ and ‘algorithm’ in key stage 1 and ‘variable’, ‘solution’ and ‘input/output’ in key stage 2.
At our school, computing lessons ensure that pupils become digitally literate and can express themselves and their ideas through technology at a level suitable for the children’s future lives in workplaces and as active and discerning participants in the modern world.
At our school, computing lessons ensure that pupils become digitally literate and can express themselves and their ideas through technology at a level suitable for the children’s future lives in workplaces and as active and discerning participants in the modern world.
Impact
Pupils at St Joseph and St Theresa are provided with a fun, engaging and high quality Computing curriculum. This means that children demonstrate progression; building upon and embedding their skills as they go up through the school. The range of skills and activities offered means that children are encouraged to be curious and active, asking and answering questions about the ever-changing world of technology around them. Through the Project Evolve curriculum children are taught to be compassionate, and loving in their behaviour online. The staff have high expectations of the children and this is evident in the work that is saved onto the pupil areas in Purple Mash. By accessing their own work, pupils can become more eloquent when discussing and evaluating their own work, and more discerning when they reflect upon their own knowledge and understanding. From the early years, the children are encouraged be learned and wise when using technology and are responsible and safe internet users. Through the use of Purple Mash, teachers can monitor and assess children’s knowledge and understanding. Prior knowledge is consistently built upon and topics are revisited and consolidated through ‘crash courses’ if children need reinforcement on a particular topic. The computing curriculum equips pupils with experiences and knowledge which will benefit them in secondary school, further education and future places of work.
SEN provision
We are very passionate about all children regardless of abilities having full and equal access to the Computing Curriculum. We do this through;
Enabling additional access to technology throughout the school day across subjects other than Computing to embed use of technology.
Pre teaching before lessons
Mixed ability pairings and peer support to help support children in their tasks.
Pupils are supported by their class teacher/TA in a small group to support them with reading of tasks or support them in learning.
Chromebooks are being used to support SEND pupils in other areas of the curriculum e.g. in English when editing writing.
EYFS
Computing is incorporated across all areas of the Early Years Framework and there are opportunities within each area of the framework to enable us to effectively prepare children for studying the computing curriculum. Children are taught Computational Thinking as an intergral part of their learning.
During children’s time in reception and nursery, Computing is taught in various different ways; through use of devices such as bee bots, through role play areas (incorporating a range of technology, both functioning and model devices), use of ipads and in Reception children are introduced to Purple Mash through Mini Mash.