Computing

Curriculum Overview

Intent

At Banstead Infant School, the Computing curriculum aims to give children the skills to use computing devices in a wide range of curriculum subjects. We want our children to understand the ways in which we are connected to others through technology and the way in which we need to stay safe, responsible and respectful online. From the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), they learn basic skills including knowing how to operate simple equipment to completing a simple program on a computer. These skills are built upon as they progress throughout the school and by the time they finish Year Two they will learn how to use a range of software, to organise and communicate their ideas and manipulate data they have collected. Children will also learn the basic skills of coding and use digital devices to create and share their own work. We aim for all children at Banstead Infant School to enjoy exploring and preparing for the digital world in which we live.

The national curriculum for computing 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

Our computing curriculum recognises that ICT is taught as a discrete subject as well as cross – curricular.  Many of the skills are transferrable which provides a wealth of learning opportunities across the curriculum subjects.

In Key Stage 1, Computing is planned for weekly as an explicit lesson. Teachers follow the Purple Mash scheme of work that breaks the Computing curriculum down into different topics to teach throughout the year. The Purple Mash scheme directly corresponds to the school’s progression of knowledge and skills document which helps teachers to highlight particular skills and areas children need to focus on. This document also allows teachers to identify the relevant challenges and support needed for each lesson.

Our teaching implements the computing National Curriculum which is comprised of 3 main parts;

• Digital Literacy
• Information Technology
• Computer Science

The children have access to tablets, laptops and Beebots to help support their learning. In addition to this, each classroom has a Smart Whiteboard, to further enable and enhance learning.

In Early Years, computing does not present in the EYFS curriculum, however as a school we use technology to support learning in other areas of the EYFS and to offer foundations of computing in preparation for the transition to year 1. The children in the EYFS learn how to follow instructions, explore programmable toys (Beebots), use programs and games on the IWB, begin to understand how we can use the internet for information that will help us in our learning and explore a range of different technologies.

We teach e-safety as an explicit part of our curriculum through Computing and Citizenship across the whole school. We discuss issues such as; keeping personal information private, trusting people and sources online, treating others online as we would in real life and what to do if anything makes children feel uncomfortable online. We also use a range of age suitable texts and online teaching tools which introduce children to e-safety issues, such as ‘Penguin Pig’, ‘Digiduck’, ‘Smartie the Penguin’ and ‘Jessie and Friends’ . Every class has a list of ‘Our Computing rules’ displayed in their classroom which highlight the importance of staying safe online.

Impact

Learning in computing is enjoyed across the school. Teachers have high expectations and quality evidence is presented in a variety of forms. Children use digital and technological vocabulary accurately, alongside a progression in their technical skills. They are confident using a range of hardware and software and will produce high-quality purposeful learning. Children see the digital world as part of their world, extending beyond school, and understand that they have choices to make. They are aware of how to stay safe online and are confident and respectful digital citizens.

If you were to walk into a Computing lesson at Banstead Infant School, you would see:

• Computing hardware and software being utilised to enhance the learning outcomes of our children, across the curriculum.
• Children confidently using a variety of technology available to them in school and with little help needed in navigating their way around technology.
• Children learning collaboratively, discussing and supporting each other with the learning and processes required to reach the outcome.

     Action Plan