Computing

Intent

At Shelton Infant School, it is our intent that children will be taught so that they are equipped with the skills to participate in a rapidly changing world.  The children will have access to a quality Computing education which will encourage them to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and adapt to these changes.  

Online Safety is an integral part of our Computing curriculum and children learn how to use information and technology in a safe and effective way.  Our Online Safety Champions help to raise awareness of the importance of staying safe and behaving in a respectful manner online and parents are invited to attend Online Safety workshops to learn about our approach in school.  It is our intent to ensure our pupils and their families have a firm understanding of effective ways to enhance their learning via use of age-appropriate digital platforms. 

Computing skills are a major factor in enabling children to be confident, creative and independent learners and our Computing curriculum will ensure that all pupils become active and thoughtful participants in a digital world.

Our Computing curriculum is broad and ambitious with a wide breadth of knowledge and skills taught from the beginning of Nursery to the end of Year Two. It meets the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and also the requirements of the National Curriculum for Computing at Key Stage One which covers all three areas of Computing – Computer Science (programming), Information Technology (general computer skills) and Digital Literacy (online safety and an awareness of technology).

Implementation

Our whole school progression document and half termly knowledge and skills organisers for Computing have been created by teachers working together using the Purple Mash computing scheme as a framework.

Our curriculum documents have been reviewed and validated by Satori Education Ltd who have also provided advice and guidance.

These documents are used to ensure that the knowledge and skills that teachers want the children to know, remember and use are clearly identified and carefully sequenced from Nursery to Year 2. This also ensures continuity and progression of teaching and learning.

EYFS

During their time in the EYFS the children are exposed to technology within the classroom. Technology helps to support children's learning, imagination, creativity and collaboration.

Children develop an understanding that technology is used for particular purposes at school and in the wider world. We support children’s use of technology through both continuous and enhanced provision. We use equipment such as; beebots, CD players, talking post cards, cameras ( still and video), classroom interactive whiteboards and various apps on the ipads.  Nursery and Reception classes have access to Mini- Mash (from Purple Mash) which provides links to technology to support all areas of the EYFS curriculum.

Key Stage One

We support children’s use of technology through both continuous provision and through whole class teaching and group teaching. We use equipment such as; beebots, CD players, digital photo frames, talking post cards, cameras ( still and video) , classroom interactive whiteboards and various apps on the ipads.  In addition to this, throughout Key Stage One we use an online learning platform called ‘Purple Mash’ which has age appropriate creative software tools to support the full teaching of the Computing curriculum. 

Impact

Children make good progress over time relative to their starting points. Throughout their time at our school pupils know and remember more in Computing.  Most children are ‘digitally ready’ for the next stage of their education when they leave Shelton Infant School. Teachers regularly assess children’s knowledge and skills using ongoing formative assessment and complete summative assessments at three points during the year.

The subject leader evaluates the impact of the curriculum through lesson observations, professional dialogue with colleagues, and pupil voice which includes scrutiny of children’ work, discussions with pupils and their enjoyment of Computing.

Our children say:-

• I like Computing because we use the IPads.
• We’ve got Online Safety Goals and we have a rap to help us remember them.
• I have a login and a password for Purple Mash and I don’t share it with anyone.
• I think Computing is fun because you get to show your friends your saved work.
• I like using ‘2Go’ – you can move around a map with the arrow buttons.
• We learn about algorithms – they are instructions.

For more information about our Computing Curriculum, please contact Dan Kershaw (Computing Leader) – dkershaw@sheltoni.derby.sch.uk