Intent

Computing key learning outcomes

We recognise that children come into our school with a whole range of experiences with technology, and that some of our pupils are incredibly technologically skilled. We understand the vital role that school plays in establishing and fostering healthy online/technological behaviours. Mental health and wellbeing is not only a ‘Golden thread’ that runs through our school, but is also crucial in our teaching of computing; we are only too aware of the impact that technology can have on the mental health of children and adults.

We know that technology and the internet offers a huge range of exciting opportunities for the children to gain knowledge, be creative and to connect with others. Children are taught about engaging with the online community in a safe and responsible way.

Ultimately the aim for our pupils when they leave our school, is to be able to be responsible, competent users of a range of technology, and to be excited about the prospects and opportunities it offers.

In addition to teaching the full expectations of the National Curriculum, at Buryfields we also have additional learning intentions for Computing, and these are:

Computing:

• To be able to recognise that technology has many positive aspects but also has limitations.
  To be competent using the interactive whiteboard, iPad, laptop and Beebot
• To be able to type a sentence, using a word processing program, using a capital letter, full stop and appropriate font choices.
• To be able to insert pictures into a Word document
• To be able to create a simple algorithm and debug using Beebots and Scratch
• To be able to evaluate their work and make adjustments accordingly.

Online safety and healthy online habits:

• To know and follow the Buryfields computing rules
• To know the importance of a healthy attitude towards technology
• To understand that what they see or read online may not always be true or real, including people they interact with, for example through teaching about using avatars
• To begin to understand that what has been shared online will remain available online in perpetuity.

Please click here for more information on our approach to Online Safety; information can also be found in the Safeguarding Policy.

Implementation 

The children who attend our school are living in a world where technology is becoming an increasingly important part of everyday life, whether it be when communicating and connecting with others, playing games and watching videos during their free time, or accessing homework tasks and reading books. Therefore, it is essential that we teach them how to use technology in a responsible and safe manner. We use materials from ‘Project Evolve’ to teach children about internet safety and how to develop a healthy attitude towards their use of technology. Each of these lessons enables purposeful and productive opportunities for discussion, to understand the children’s ideas and understanding of what it means to be safe online and to teach them ways to keep themselves safe and seek help when they need it. These lessons are a crucial part of each half terms computing themes and each internet safety topic is regularly revisited, recapped and built upon throughout KS1.

When leaving Buryfields, we want our children to have a competent understanding of a range of ways that they can use technology, therefore the children are taught to ‘use’ technology in a supervised and safe manner during every lesson. We want our children to understand technology enables them to communicate in a range of different ways, from creating their own information pages, using ‘Word’, on our class set of laptops, and making stop motion videos using the iPads, to using Beebots and Scratch software to create their own algorithms and debug them when programming. We also want them to understand that the internet enables them to find out new information, whether that be by learning more about something through the use of simulations or carrying out research about someone famous, e.g. King Charles.

There is no Computing curriculum expectation for EYFS. However, we believe it is crucial that the children have the opportunity to explore a range of technology in the safe and supervised environment of the classroom. Throughout the year they will have the opportunity to use the Interactive Whiteboard, iPads and Beebots, playing games, drawing pictures and carrying out some simple programming. We also begin the teaching of internet safety and healthy habits towards technology through regular classroom discussions.

Impact

Our children amaze us with their ability to use a range of technology. They can work as a team, and individually, to navigate a range of technology and create digital content in new and exciting ways. Our children are excited to ‘explore’ and ‘have a go’ during Computing lessons and then explain what they have learnt or found out to others. They are able to talk about why it’s important be safe when online and ways they can ensure that this happens. They can explain what it means to be ‘healthy’ when using technology. Our children leave Buryfields with a balanced understanding of the opportunities that technology gives them along with an understanding of their role in using it responsibly and safely.