Computing

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At Wheatfield Primary School, we believe that a high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world.

We use the Purple Mash computing curriculum, which has a comprehensive set of resources aligned to the National Curriculum for Computing, Technology and Digital Competence, which exposes children to a wide variety of digital tools, technological skills and innovations to enable them to become informed members of the digital community.

Intent

At Wheatfield Primary School, we understand the immense value that technology plays not only in supporting the Computing and whole school curriculum but overall, in the day-to-day life of our school.

Our vision is for children to be confident users of technology so that we can strengthen their skills, knowledge and understanding that will enable them to develop a curiosity for learning and inspire creativity as resilient, critical thinking digital citizens, understanding their role and responsibilities in the digital landscape.

As stated in the National Curriculum: ‘A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. 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 – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.’

In line with the National Curriculum for Computing, Wheatfield Primary School 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.

Implementation

To ensure high standards of teaching and learning in computing, we implement the Purple Mash scheme of work throughout the whole school. Our computing curriculum is in line with 2014 Primary National Curriculum requirements and provides a progressive and broad framework that outlines the knowledge and skills taught across the school.

The Computing curriculum consists of inspiring and engaging lessons, whilst providing the scaffolding for teaching key skills. There are additional units that go beyond the expectations of National Curriculum, whilst also providing ‘Catch-Up’ units to close gaps in learning. The activity ideas for Early Years (Reception) show opportunities for using Mini Mash or Purple Mash as part of the Early Years classroom to support children in working towards early learning goals.

We continuously build on prior computing knowledge so that our children are equipped to use information technology safely and effectively - enabling them to be digitally literate.

Purple Mash is suitable for all pupils irrespective of their skills, background, and additional needs. The curriculum builds on prior learning within that theme. This style of curriculum design reduces the amount of knowledge lost through forgetting, as topics are revisited yearly. It also ensures that connections are made even if different teachers are teaching the units within a theme in consecutive years.

The Purple Mash scheme of work is designed with three strands which run throughout:

· Computer science

· Information Technology

· Digital literacy

Teachers and pupils are aware of the importance of health and safety and pupils are always supervised when using technology and accessing the internet. Our pupils are fully encouraged to engage with ICT and technology outside of school. Wheatfield Primary School also uses Tapestry for Reception pupils and Seesaw is used by each year group for home learning and parental communication. We provide a variety of opportunities for computing learning inside and outside the classroom. Computing and safeguarding go hand in hand and we provide a huge focus on internet safety inside and outside of the classroom. In addition to this, we also take part in National Safer Internet Day in February.

Impact

At Wheatfield Primary School we believe that by delivering a high-quality computing curriculum we will inspire and equip the next generation of computational thinkers to participate in the rapidly changing world where technology impacts the lives of us all daily and on a global scale.

Wheatfield Primary School believes that Computing:

· gives pupils immediate access to a rich source of materials in school which may not be available elsewhere.

· can present information in new ways which help pupils understand, access and use it more readily.

· can motivate and enthuse pupils through a wide range of resources which in turn can help pupils focus and concentrate.

· can give children another platform to express their ideas which may not be in a written form.

· has the flexibility to meet the individual needs and abilities of each pupil.

· offers potential for effective group working supporting children through mixed ability pairs and differentiated tasks where relevant.

· can give children an understanding of online safety which is transferred into their own lives.

· ensures that pupils become digitally literate – that they are able to use and express themselves through technology safely, respectfully and responsibly and that they are at a level suitable for the future workplace as active participants in an ever-changing digital world.

Pupil voice, subject monitoring and lesson observations will ensure a positive impact of computing as a subject.

Online Safety

Being safe online is what online safety is all about.

There are a variety of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) available that children can use to explore, discover and learn. One key technology is the Internet, providing children with resources for a variety of topics at their fingertips.

School children use the Internet and other communication technologies to enrich their learning experience and it is known that the use of ICT has a positive effect on school improvement and attainment in Schools.

Although ICT provides amazing resources for children, it also brings with it an equal amount of risk. Many school children do not have the knowledge or skills to critique websites or to know when they are becoming the victim of bullying or grooming and this presents a problem.

Children do not only use ICT for school/home learning, but also for socialising, downloading music and personal publishing (e.g. blogs) and as such they are open to a variety of hazards. As a result of this, it is vitally important that anyone involved in educating or enhancing a child’s learning experience, is aware of the impact of these risks and is taking the necessary measures to protect the children.

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