Computing
Intent
At Elmwood Infant School, we aim to provide children with a wide range of opportunities to develop learners who are equipped for the technological changes they will face in the future and be active participants in the digital world. We want our children to understand how to stay safe online and be confident to talk about their online experiences with others. Our Computing curriculum focuses on a progression of skills in digital literacy, computer science, information technology and online safety to ensure that children become competent in safely using, as well as understanding, technology. As well as teaching computing discreetly, we will give pupils the opportunity to apply and develop what they have learnt across the wider curriculum.
Implementation
At Elmwood, the teaching of Computing follows the National Curriculum requirements and staff use the Purple Mash scheme of work as a basis for their planning. The skills and knowledge specific to Computing is built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children. To ensure a broad range of skills and understanding in KS1, Computing is taught across three main strands: digital literacy, computer science and information technology. As part of information technology, children learn to use and express themselves and develop their ideas through ICT for example writing and presenting as well as exploring art and design using multimedia. Within digital literacy, children develop practical skills in the safe use of ICT and the ability to apply these skills to solving relevant, worthwhile problems for example understanding safe use of internet, networks and email. In computer science we teach children to understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation. We also teach a progression of Computing vocabulary to support children in their understanding.
At Elmwood Infants, computing skills are taught both discreetly and through cross curricular lessons. This supports learning in other subjects across the school and allows children to apply their Computing knowledge and skills to different tasks. Children in the Early Year and Key Stage 1 are given access to a wide range of good quality resources and software. They are taught to use the equipment and software confidently and purposefully to communicate and handle information. Children are given opportunities to work independently as well as collaboratively on tasks. Online safety is regularly taught at an age appropriate level and forms the basis of all Computing learning. Online safety procedures are communicated with all staff and parents. Within our lessons, we encourage the use of our ‘super skills’, such as collaboration, communication as well as perseverance. Within our Early Years provision, our pupils will be exposed to the understanding of internet safety as they explore the world around them and how technology is an everyday part of their learning and understanding of the world.
Impact Statement
At Elmwood Infant School it is our aim that our children are confident users of a range of information technology, which include tablets as well as laptops. We work hard to build on their previous knowledge and skills to accomplish a wide variety of goals at both home and school. We want our children to be reflective learners and to have gained a new understanding of online safety issues and how to keep themselves safe online as well as finding the right balance of screen time when using technology in order to achieve a healthy lifestyle.
We will be able to see progress in computing through:
- Pupil voice: Through discussion and feedback, children will talk about their computing lessons and can articulate about the potential risks of being online and ways to keep safe.
- Evidence in their knowledge and skills: Children know how and why technology is used in the outside world, and in the workplace. They know about different ways that computers can be used. Children can also use the correct vocabulary in computing lessons, especially those linked to coding. They have the skills to use technology independently, for example accessing age-appropriate software and games in EYFS and using a range of computer software independently in KS1.
- Experiences: Teachers plan a range of opportunities to use computer technology, inside and outside school.
We also track progress through our Foundation Assessment Sheets in Key Stage 1 and in the Early Years, Computing is largely cross-curricular with strong assessment links to the areas of learning of Communication and Language, Mathematics, Physical Development and the Characteristics of Effective Learning. Informal lesson drop in’s and looking at the Learning Journey’s in the Early Years is also used to monitor progress.
Computing around our school
Year 2 have been learning about spreadsheets.
Internet Links
The school website has links to some Literacy and Numeracy website these can be found by clicking here. Some of these sites require .306 login information.
Safer Internet Day
We take part in the annual Safer Internet Day – to see what we did this year please visit this page.