Computing Lead - Rose Marshall

What is taught in Computing?
Teaching Computing develops problem solving skills, and it opens a student's eyes to the digital world. This can engage, enthuse and cause a real spark in students, if taught in the right way. Computing allows all children to have a good, sound knowledge of how to stay safe online in school and at home, which link strongly with our big idea for Computing. The problem solving skills learnt in Computing can be applied in a cross curricular way and how we are developing typing skills means that the children have important life skills when they leave our school. Our children get to see that Computing isn’t just coding, but can be used in a variety of ways and all these could lead to potential career paths.

Leading this area in school means that I must ensure that staff have a good knowledge of the Computing curriculum and any updates on new software and apps that can aid and enhance learning. I must make sure that all children are being taught how to stay safe online and be good citizens, upholding British values when they use the internet. I want us to embrace technology, it’s positives and negatives and relay those while we are teaching so that the children can use it effectively and safely throughout school and their adult lives. It’s my role, as leader, to make sure that each year the children are building on their prior knowledge and have opportunities to progress and further their understanding.

How do we teach Computing?

We immerse the children in real-life experiences and ensure that they are equipped with the skills and opportunities they will need to be successful in the future. We know that children growing up today will be employed in jobs that will no doubt require them to have a sound knowledge of some, if not all, computing skills. We teach Computing explicitly and in a cross-curricular way across other subjects using iPads and Chromebooks to enhance learning and engage pupils. Children learn from and through the skills they build up in each year group as they travel up the school. Teachers are equipped with progression in skills documents and we follow the Teach Computing Scheme alongside using the Project Evolve E-Safety Resources.

When and what are the specific skills and knowledge taught?

Over their time at school, all children will develop skills and knowledge in these key areas:

• Algorithms
• Programming
• Reasoning
• Using Technology for Purpose
• Use of IT Beyond School
• Safe Use of Technology

Key stage 1
Pupils should be taught to:

• understand what algorithms are; how they are implemented as programs on digital devices; and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions
• create and debug simple programs
• use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs
• use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content
• recognise common uses of information technology beyond school
• use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies.

Key stage 2
Pupils should be taught to:

• design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts
• use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output
• use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs
• understand computer networks including the internet; how they can provide multiple services, such as the world wide web; and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration
• use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content
• select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information
• use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact.

Why do we teach Computing at Poppleton Road?

As a school, we use technology to enhance learning in every lesson, whether it be through a SMART board to cater for visual learners, taking photographs in and outside the classroom, or using our iPad or Chromebook trolleys in a variety of cross-curricular ways. We don’t use technology for the sake of it, we really think, as educators, how the use of technology can enhance our children’s learning. Every class teacher has an excellent relationship with parents and carers via Seesaw, sharing each child’s learning journey on a daily basis to encourage maximum at-home engagement. This has allowed concepts and expectations to be taken home and reinforced, as well as promoting conversations about their child’s around the dinner table. As a whole school we know how important staying safe online is and teach this explicitly and incidentally throughout the year, linking this whenever possible with other subjects and most importantly, our British Values! We want our children to leave Poppleton Road with Computing skills for life, that will keep them safe as well as helping them in their future endeavours.