Computing and E-Safety

"With God, all things are possible" Matthew 19:26

Crowton Christ Church C.E Primary School believes that every child has the right to a curriculum that champions excellence enabling children to achieve the very best of their abilities. We understand the immense value technology plays not only in supporting the computing and whole school curriculum but overall in the day-to-day life of our school. We believe that technology can provide: enhanced collaborative learning opportunities; better engagement of pupils; easier access to rich content; support conceptual understanding of new concepts and can support the needs of all our pupils. A high-quality computing education equips children 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 children 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, children are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that children become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information technology.

Intent

Our aim is to provide a rich, challenging Computing curriculum that will equip all pupils with the experience, skills and confidence they need to succeed and achieve in our rapidly changing technological world. In Computing lessons, pupils will be 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, we aim to equip children with the knowledge and understanding of how to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. We will encourage children to use computational thinking and creativity to solve problems across the curriculum and teach them how to apply the skills that they have learnt.

We also recognise our responsibility to give our children the best tools to make informed decisions whilst using the internet. As they progress through school, pupils will develop a detailed knowledge and understanding of e-safety and how to keep safe online through practical experiences. It is a subject that will broaden their learning beyond their lived experiences. We aim for our children to be inquisitive and use technology to explore, educate and develop.

Our aims:

• Provide an exciting, rich, relevant and challenging Computing curriculum for all pupils.

• Teach pupils to become responsible, respectful and competent users of data, information and communication technology.

• Provide technology solutions for forging better home and school links.

• Enthuse and equip children with the capability to use technology throughout their lives.

• Teach pupils to understand the importance of governance and legislation regarding how information is used, stored, created, retrieved, shared and manipulated.

• Utilise computational thinking beyond the Computing curriculum.

• Give children access to a variety of high quality hardware, software and unplugged resources.

• Equip pupils with skills, strategies and knowledge that will enable them to reap the benefits of the online world, whilst being able to minimise risk to themselves or others.

One of the most important aspects of the Computing curriculum at Crowton is the focus on Digital Literacy. We want our children to use technology safely and respectfully, to recognise the fantastic opportunities that the online world can bring but also to recognise the implications of this. We teach them how to balance their screen time, filter for real and ‘fake’ news, keep themselves protected in an online environment and recognise the impact of their online and offline behaviour.

Safeguarding: Online Safety

Online safety has a high profile at Crowton. We ensure this profile is maintained and that pupil needs are met by the following:

• A relevant up-to-date online safety curriculum which is progressive from Foundation Stage to the end of Year 6.

• A curriculum that is threaded throughout other curriculums and embedded in the day-to-day lives of our pupils.

• Training for staff and governors which is relevant to their needs and ultimately positively impacts on the pupils.

• Scheduled pupil voice sessions and learning walks steer changes and inform training needs.

• Through our home/school links and communication channels, parents are kept up to date with relevant online safety matters, policies and agreements. They know who to contact at school if they have concerns.

• Our online safety policy (part of our safeguarding policy) clearly states how monitoring of online safety is undertaken.

• Filtering and monitoring systems for all our online access.

• Data policies which stipulate how we keep confidential information secure.

Implementation

As a school, we have chosen the Purple Mash Computing Scheme of Work from Reception to Year 6. The scheme of work supports our teachers in delivering fun and engaging lessons which help to raise standards and allow all pupils to achieve to their full potential. We are confident that the scheme of work more than adequately meets the national vision for Computing. It provides immense flexibility, strong crosscurricular links and integrates perfectly with the 2Simple Computing Assessment Tool. Furthermore, it gives excellent supporting material for less confident teachers.

Impact

Children will become confident users of technology. They will have resilience when tackling programmes or unfamiliar software and technology. They will become digitally literate and resilient. As children progress throughout the school, they develop a deep knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the Computing. Outcomes in pupils’ books and on Purple Mash Portfolios evidence a broad and balanced Computing curriculum.

Assessment for learning is continuous throughout the planning, teaching and learning cycle. Assessment is supported by use of the following strategies:

• Observing children at work, individually, in pairs, in a group and in class during whole class teaching.

• Using differentiated, open-ended questions that require children to explain and unpick their understanding.

• Providing effective and reflective feedback, including interactive marking to engage children with their learning and to provide opportunities for self-assessment and further consolidation.

• Book moderation and monitoring of outcomes of work, to evaluate the range and balance of work and to ensure that tasks meet the needs of different learners, with the acquisition of key knowledge of each topic being evidenced through the outcomes.

• Regular formative assessment by the class teacher is recorded half-termly via the school tracker to ensure progress is made by every child.