Intent:
At Sandown Primary school, we want pupils to be masters of technology and not slaves to it. Technology is everywhere and will play a pivotal part in students’ lives. Therefore, we want to model and educate our pupils on how to use technology positively, responsibly and safely.
Our broad curriculum encompassing computer science, information technology and digital literacy reflects this. We believe Computing should be safe, Computing should be challenging with high expectations and Computing should be fun.
Implementation:
Computing is taught through a mixture of cross-curricular learning, discrete lessons using the Teach Computing scheme of work and online safety lessons using the Project Evolve scheme of work. This ensures children are able to develop depth in their knowledge and skills over the duration of each of their computing topics.
We have a range of equipment we use including Chrome books, iPads, floor robots, Micro:bits and interactive whiteboards to ensure that all year groups have the opportunity to use a range of devices and programs for many purposes across the wider curriculum. Employing cross-curricular links motivates pupils and supports them to make connections and remember the steps they have been taught.
Our curriculum ensures a balanced coverage of the three strands of the Computing curriculum:
1) Digital Literacy
Digital Literacy is about the children learning to be safe and responsible when using technology, including recognising its advantages for collaboration or communication.
We take part in the Childnet Digital Leader programme at Sandown to provide specialist Digital Leaders for our pupils. The Digital Leaders undertake training, run assemblies and support their peers in how to stay safe online.
To read our Computing online safety overview please click here.
2) Computer Science
This will introduce children of all ages to understanding how computers and networks work. This strand gives all children the opportunity to learn what algorithms are, how to write them and how solve problems to create computer programmes. It also allows them to find mistakes (bugs) and fix them.
3) Information Technology
This strand is about the use of computers for functional purposes, such as collecting and presenting information in a variety of ways including word processing, creating images, taking and using photographs and video, creating music and animations, using and creating databases, producing websites and contributing to blogs.
To read our Computing curriculum overview please click here.
In addition to our normal class curriculum, we participate in events such as Hour of Code and Safer Internet Day. Internet safety is taken extremely seriously and is embedded within our curriculum. All children, staff and parents sign our Acceptable Use Policy covering the use of technology in and out of school. We have an E-Safety Policy that provides guidance for teachers and children about how to use the internet safely. Each year group teaches lessons on online safety each term. Children understand how to stay safe when using technology and Internet safety days are held regularly to address current issues. We also have our specialist Digital Leaders whose role is to assist pupils with any internet safety questions they may have and to help them stay safe online
For additional information about this subject, please contact the school office and ask to speak to the subject leader.