Computing

Intent Statement:

The intent of the Computing curriculum is to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and participate in the rapidly evolving digital world. Through Computing, students will develop computational thinking, problem-solving abilities, and creativity, enabling them to become responsible, confident, and competent users of technology. Children are encouraged to be ambitious in this subject and work towards developing their understanding through a range of pracitcal and theory based lessons.

Implementation Statement:

To achieve our intent, we will provide a comprehensive Computing curriculum that covers three key areas: computer science, information technology, and digital literacy. Students will engage in a wide range of activities, including coding, data manipulation, hardware understanding, and exploring the social and ethical implications of technology.

In computer science, students will learn to think logically, break down complex problems into smaller parts, and create algorithms to solve them. They will develop programming skills, using languages such as Scratch and JavaScript, to design and implement their own software solutions.

In information technology, students will gain practical skills to effectively and responsibly use digital tools and software. They will learn how to create, edit, and present information using a variety of digital media, including images, audio, and video. They will also develop an understanding of computer networks, cybersecurity, and data representation.

In digital literacy, students will explore the impact of technology on society and their daily lives. They will critically evaluate digital content, consider issues of online safety, privacy, and ethics. They will also develop effective communication skills, collaboration, and resilience when faced with challenges in the digital realm.

The implementation of the Computing curriculum will involve a combination of theoretical knowledge, hands-on activities, and real-world applications. It will be supported by a range of resources, including software, hardware, and online platforms. The curriculum will be taught by qualified and experienced teachers who will facilitate active learning, foster curiosity, and provide opportunities for creativity and problem-solving.

Impact Statement:

By engaging with the Computing curriculum, students will develop a range of skills and attributes that will have a lasting impact on their lives. They will become confident users of technology, able to adapt to new tools and environments. They will understand the principles of computational thinking, allowing them to analyse and solve problems systematically, both within the digital realm and in other domains.

Students will develop creativity and innovation through designing and implementing their own digital solutions. They will become effective communicators, collaborators, and critical thinkers, equipped to thrive in the digital workplace and society. They will also gain an awareness of the social, ethical, and legal implications of technology, enabling them to make responsible and informed decisions in the digital world.

Furthermore, the Computing curriculum will provide a foundation for further study and careers in computer science, information technology, and related fields. It will foster a passion for technology and inspire students to pursue higher education or vocational pathways in areas such as software development, data analysis, cybersecurity, and digital media.

Ultimately, the impact of the Computing curriculum will be seen in the empowered, digitally literate generation it produces, ready to embrace the opportunities and challenges of the ever-evolving digital landscape, contributing positively to society and the global economy.

The Computing Curriculum

At Seton Community Primary school, it is our belief that all children will benefit from the use of technology and we try to integrate this into our daily practice. All children have access to their own device and use them on a daily basis for a number of different reasons. Children use their devices for:

  • ·         Researching
  • ·         English
  • ·         Maths
  • ·         Science
  • ·         Topic
  • ·         Music
  • ·         Accessing the internet

Teachers ensure that children are always safe whilst online and frequently remind children of the steps to take to ensure that they are being safe whilst using their device.

To help us to provide the best possible curriculum for our children, we use the Computing curriculum provided by Kapow as a base to help us teach effectively. Using this scheme provides teachers with a range of ideas which they can expand on to meet the needs of all of the children in their class.

Curriculum Enhancements

Along with using the brilliant scheme from Kapow to support our teaching, we enhance our curriculum in many other ways. We have the local PCSO in school to discuss various aspects of online safety and make children aware of the support that is available to them should they require it. We also had the privilege of being visited by staff from Boulby Mine who came to tell us about the exciting work that they are conducting underground, the technology that they are using to conduct this work and shared many video and important information with us.

This year we have also visited the Scarborough Science and Engineering Week which had a big focus on technology. Children were provided with the chance to speak to a range of different adults from different work backgrounds and they were able to explain how technology is used for their job. Children spoke to people from the NHS, science companies, theme park staff, food companies and many more, learning about how technology is used in their jobs.

E-Safety

At Seton Community Primary School, we are committed to promoting a safe and responsible use of technology for our students in accordance with the English National Curriculum. We recognize the importance of digital literacy and the need to ensure that our students are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the online world safely. This e-safety statement outlines our approach to e-safety and our commitment to creating a secure digital environment for our students.

We provide comprehensive online safety education to all students, staff, and parents. This includes age-appropriate lessons and discussions on topics such as responsible internet use, online privacy, cyberbullying, digital footprint, and the potential risks associated with various online activities. We incorporate e-safety into our curriculum across subjects and regularly update our teaching materials to address emerging online risks.

We believe that online safety is a shared responsibility between the school and parents/guardians. We actively engage parents/guardians through regular communication, workshops, and resources to ensure they are well-informed about e-safety issues. We encourage open dialogue between home and school to address any concerns or incidents promptly.

We have robust systems in place to filter and monitor internet access within the school premises. These measures aim to restrict access to inappropriate content and provide a safe online environment for our students. We regularly review and update our filtering and monitoring systems to adapt to changing technologies and online risks.

We have developed a comprehensive Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) that outlines the expected behaviours and responsibilities of all members of our school community when using technology. The AUP is regularly reviewed and communicated to students, staff, and parents/guardians to ensure a clear understanding of the guidelines for safe and responsible technology use.

We have established procedures for reporting and responding to any e-safety incidents or concerns promptly. Students, staff, and parents/guardians are encouraged to report any incidents, whether they occur within the school or outside, to a designated e-safety contact. We handle each incident confidentially, provide support to those affected, and take appropriate action to address the situation.

We provide regular training and professional development opportunities to our staff to enhance their knowledge and understanding of e-safety issues. This equips them with the necessary skills to teach and support our students effectively and ensures a consistent approach to e-safety across the school.

We regularly review and evaluate our e-safety policies, procedures, and practices to ensure their effectiveness and alignment with the evolving online landscape. We seek feedback from students, staff, parents/guardians, and external agencies to continuously improve our e-safety provision.

By implementing these measures, we aim to create a safe and supportive digital environment that enables our students to explore, learn, and thrive while staying safe online. We are committed to staying up-to-date with the latest developments in e-safety and working collaboratively with our school community to promote responsible digital citizenship.