Computing
Computing at Prince Rock
Intent
The use of computers and computer systems is an integral part of the national curriculum and knowing how they work is a key life skill. Children are exposed to wealth of software, tools and technologies that can be used to communicate, collaborate, express ideas and create digital content. Children are given a broad and balanced computing education with a structured, progressive approach to learning how computer systems work, the use of IT and the skills necessary to become digitally literate and participate fully in the modern world. Our intent is that all children are ready for the next stage of their education and for a life with computers.
Implementation
The computing curriculum follows the Kapow long term plan. A ‘Progression of Skills’ document has been created for e-safety to ensure skills and concepts are built on as the children move through our school. Kapow has a progression document that ensures each year group's learning builds on previous years and we as a school teach the lessons in the prescribed order. There is retrieval practise through questioning and practical tasks. Children develop an understanding of the importance of technology in a modern world. They explore rules online, how things work and how a range of factors impact overall wellbeing including sensible amounts of screen time.
EYFS
In EYFS, the children begin to develop an understanding of computing and its importance in a modern world. Although computing is not explicitly taught in EYFS, the children have a range of opportunities to explore technology and how a range of factors both offline and online can impact their overall wellbeing including sensible amounts of screen time. The children learn about how we use technology whilst thinking about rules, behaviour and safety in PSHE. In provision, they explore how things work and make links to algorithms and directions through the use of programmable robots (Beebots).
Key Stage One
In Key Stage 1 the children learn to understand what algorithms are; how they are implemented as programs on digital devices; and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions. They are taught to create and debug simple programs and use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs. They are shown how to use a range of technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content as well as recognise common uses of information technology beyond school. At Prince Rock, we ensure that all children are taught to use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private and identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies. Each of these skills are taught through exciting half termly units.
Key Stage Two
In Key Stage 2 the children design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems and solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts. They use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs, use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and correct errors in algorithms and programs. Children are taught to understand computer networks, including the internet, and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration. They use search technologies effectively, learn to appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and learn to be discerning in evaluating digital content. Children are taught to select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals. KS1 e-safety knowledge and skills are built on in KS2 at Prince Rock. Our children learn to use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable /unacceptable behaviour; and identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact. To ensure these skills are progressive we follow an E-safety progression of skills document.
At Prince Rock we recognise that all classes have children with widely differing backgrounds, SEND and EAL needs. We aim to provide suitable learning opportunities for all children by matching the challenge of the task to the ability and experience of the child. We achieve this in a variety of ways:
- setting common tasks which are open-ended and can have a variety of responses;
- setting tasks of increasing difficulty (with varied expectations of completion);
- grouping children by ability in the room and setting differentiated tasks for each ability group;
- providing resources of different complexity that are matched to the ability of the child;
- using classroom assistant or teacher support to support the work of individual children or groups of children.
- pre-teaching key vocabulary, the use of dual coding and step by step guides.
Impact
Progression in computing is assessed throughout each key stage through the children’s ability to know, apply and understand the matters, skills and processes specified in the relevant programme of study. Teachers use assessment for learning within lessons to ensure they are responsive to children's needs.
Programs are created on digital devices and as such are not recorded in the same way as written learning. Learning may be recorded in many ways including but not limited to: printed screenshots of creations, saved programs, PowerPoints, Word documents, written work, photographs and video recordings. As such, children’s work is marked and written feedback given only where appropriate.
Otherwise, feedback is given verbally to children in order to support them to progress within and across lessons including discussions of their next steps. Termly, the teacher's collect examples of the children’s work and add it to a whole school PowerPoint. The ‘process’ undertaken to arrive at the finished product, algorithm or program is as important as the finished product and this is taken into account.
An age-related assessment is given to parents/carers through annual reports.
Computer Matrix
Enrichment
Safer Internet Day
Last year we celebrated Safer Internet Day as a school on Tuesday 8th February. Each year group took part in an activity to share their ideas and feelings about how to stay safe online. This ranged from sharing stories to watching videos and completing mini quizzes about the importance of safety online in an ever changing digital world.
Digital Leaders
Each class at Prince Rock has two Digital Leaders. These children are chosen as they show an interest in Computing and are good online safety role models. Digital Leaders ensure our computing equipment in kept tidy, they help their peers during computing lessons and help to promote e-safety across our school.
