Intent
Technology is changing the lives of everyone. Through teaching Computing, we equip children to participate in a rapidly changing world where work and leisure activities are increasingly transformed by technology.
It is our intention to enable all children, including those with special educational needs, to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information. We also focus on developing the skills necessary for children to use algorithms and develop their understanding of coding. We want children to have the confidence and knowledge needed to safeguard themselves online and demonstrate the importance of using technology safely. Our intent is for children to know more, remember more and understand more in computing so that they leave primary school computer literate.
Implementation
At St Uny C of E Academy, computing is taught using a blocked curriculum approach. This ensures children are able to develop depth in their knowledge and skills over the duration of each of their computing topics. Teachers use Discovery Education Coding scheme, as a starting point for the planning of their computing lessons, which are often richly linked to engaging contexts in other subjects and topics. We have two class sets of Chrome Book computers and a class sets of ipads to ensure that all year groups have the opportunity to use a range of devices and programs for many purposes across the wider curriculum, as well as in discrete computing lessons. Employing cross-curricular links motivates pupils and supports them to make connections and remember the steps they have been taught.
The implementation of the curriculum also ensures a balanced coverage of computer science, information technology and digital literacy. The children will have experiences of all three strands in each year group, but the subject knowledge imparted becomes increasingly specific and in depth, with more complex skills being taught, thus ensuring that learning is built upon. Teachers will plan for the ability of their year group and for the SEN children that they provide for. For example, children in Key Stage 1 learn what algorithms are, which leads them to the design stage of programming in Key Stage 2, where they design, write and debug programs, explaining the thinking behind their algorithms.
Despite computing not being explicitly mentioned within the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework, which focuses on the learning and development of children from birth to age five, there are many opportunities for young children to use technology to solve problems and produce creative outcomes. At St Uny the Early Years curriculum provides opportunities for pupils to develop their ability to use computational thinking effectively, such as using Bee Bots to carry out algorithms.
Impact
Our approach to the curriculum results in a fun, engaging, and high-quality computing education. Much of the subject-specific knowledge developed in our computing lessons equip pupils with experiences which will benefit them in secondary school, further education and future workplaces. From research methods, use of presentation and creative tools and critical thinking, computing at St Uny C of E Academy gives children the building blocks that enable them to pursue a wide range of interests and vocations in the next stage of their lives.
At St Any our aim is to use computing and information technology to enable children with SEND, whatever their needs, to use technology purposefully in ways that make the wider curriculum accessible, empower those with communication difficulties to engage with others and to fully include everyone in activities and learning.
E Safety
E-safety is an integral part of children’s education in today’s digital world and is embedded in their learning at St Uny Academy. We also want to help our parents and children improve their own understanding of e-safety issues so they can learn to use the internet and all digital media in a safe and secure way.
As part of your child’s curriculum and the development of computer skills, we provide access to the internet only in teacher supervised lessons. We strongly believe that the use of the web and email is hugely worthwhile and an essential tool for children as they grow up in the modern world. But because there are always concerns about children having access to undesirable materials, we have taken positive steps to deal with this risk in school. Our school internet access provider operates a filtering system that restricts access to inappropriate materials.
To try and help parents with the fast moving and changing world of internet and social media we've suggested a few internet sites which are fantastic resources. They contain information on different types of social media and how to help keep children safe.
Parent Fact Sheets & Guides To Popular Social Media
Click on the following links to find some useful parental guides to the following social media
fortnite_factsheet.pdf
parent-fact-sheet-tik-tock.pdf
instagram_parent_factsheet-1-.pdf
parent-fs-you-tube.pdf
snapchat_parent_factsheet.pdf
Useful Websites
Childnet is a great website resource for parents and children on online safety.
Think U Know has a great section for parents and covers topics such as gaming and talking to strangers. You can also search by topic or age range to find information that is relevant for your family.
Internet Matters is another great site to use - it has advice on cyberbullying, how to talk to your children about internet safety and quick guides to different types of social media such as Instagram and Snapchat.
Here are quick links to a range of Internet safety sites: