"The advance of technology is based on making it fit in so that you don't really even notice it, so it is part of everyday life" Bill Gates
The skills we teach are:
- The use of computers and technology safely at an age appropriate level
- The use of programming and control software (including modelling and simulations) to promote problem solving skills and logical thinking
- To be able to create and publish information for a given audience
Computing is an integral part of everyday modern life, therefore our aim is to ensure that computing is threaded deeply throughout our whole curriculum by making as many cross-curricular links as possible. The skills of the computing curriculum are taught in weekly computing lessons and these skills are then developed and practiced in the wider curriculum. The curriculum is delivered in Foundation and Key Stage One using iPads. In Key Stage Two we have two iPad trolleys which are used on a rota basis in classrooms. We also have a computer suite containing 30 computers, where classes have a timetabled computing lesson at least once a week. The ICT room is open during school break times as a ‘Cyber Café’.
How to stay safe online is a huge part of the computing curriculum – this is covered as a weekly starter in computing lessons but as part of our ‘Online Safety Week’ in the spring term we invite d:side, an online safety group, into school to deliver age appropriate messages to each year group. At this time, we also aim to educate families about the importance of keeping safe online by checking security settings; reminding families of the age limits set by social media websites and the importance and appropriateness of certificates that exist on popular games for consoles. The children and our families are constantly reminded and updated with the latest advice and issues that may occur via an online safety newsletter. We respond to news reports from the Leeds Children’s Safeguarding Board, and information from parents when we feel it necessary to ensure that our pupils and their families are informed of key messages around keeping safe online.
Top 5 reads are:
- Computers and Coding - Usborne
- My First Coding Book - DK
- Look Inside - How Computers Work - A Frith
- Girls who Code - R Saujani
- Code Your Own Games - M Wainewright
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Below are some super examples of computing work that was completed during the 2021 Remote Learning period. Click the images to enlarge.