Computing

Subject Leaders - Mrs Cain and Mrs Jones

Our governors, support staff and teachers met together to look at out curriculum progression. This is a part of our Curriculum Review and we can't wait to be able to share this with you. We will be holding a parents and carers evening next term so that you can see how the children's learning is developed in all areas, across the school. 

AI Policy 

 Online Safety Long Term Plan 

  

Computing Policy

Computing is concerned with how computers and computer systems work, and how they are designed and programmed. Pupils studying computing will gain an understanding of computational systems of all kinds, whether or not they include computers. Computational thinking provides insights into many areas of the curriculum, and influences work at the cutting edge of a wide range of disciplines.

The Staff and visitors Code of Conduct Agreement, the Mobile Phone Policy and the E-Safety Policies should also be read in conjunction with this policy.  Staff will sign a loan agreement for the use of school equipment as part of their teaching responsibilities.

 

The Nature of Computing

The National Curriculum presents the subject as one lens through which pupils can understand the world. There is a focus on computational thinking and creativity, as well as opportunities for creative work in programming and digital media. The introduction makes clear the three aspects of the computing curriculum; Computer science (CS), Information Technology (IT) and Digital Literacy (DL).

 

The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate- able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through information and communication technology- at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participates in the digital world.

 

Entitlement

The National Curriculum states that pupils should be taught to:

	KS1	KS2
Computer Science	Understand what algorithms are; how they are implemented as programs on digital devices; and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions   Create and debug simple programs   Use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs	Design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts   Use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output   Use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs   Understand computer networks including the internet; how they can provide multiple services, such as the world wide web   Appreciate how results are selected and ranked
Information Technology	Use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content	Use search technologies effectively   Select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information
Digital Literacy	Recognise common uses of information technology beyond school   Use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies	Understand the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration   Use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact   Be discerning in evaluating digital content

 

In the Foundation Stage, the children will be taught basic computing skills (clicking, dragging and logging on) within the summer term to prepare them for KS1 computing learning.  

 

Teaching and Learning of Computing

Implementation

At Woodcote Primary school, computing will be taught both as a discrete subject, and in a cross-curricular way when the opportunity presents itself.

The computing subject leader and Head teacher will continually monitor the resources required to deliver the computing element of the National Curriculum.

 

Scheme of Work

In order to ensure coverage of the computing curriculum, Woodcote Primary School use the Purple Mash scheme of learning. This includes the teaching of online safety, revisited in computing lessons each term throughout both Key Stages.  The computing leader will continuously monitor the use of this scheme against the National Curriculum objectives for computing.

Resources

We believe that in addition to learning computing as a subject in its own right, the potential of computing to improve teaching and learning throughout the curriculum should be fully exploited. To meet this objective we have:

• Lockable laptop trolleys kept in a central store but movable to every classroom when needed.
• The school has interactive tablets with software tailored to the children’s needs.
• Every classroom has an interactive whiteboard. There is also an interactive whiteboard in the hall for use in assemblies.
• A range of other computing equipment is available for the teaching of computing such as programmable toys.

Teaching staff are given a laptop and iPad for use within school as part of their job role. A user agreement will be signed to ensure the safety of this equipment. All equipment is bit locker protected and linked to the school’s office accounts. Equipment is to be used for school purposes only.

 

Equal opportunities

All pupils, regardless of gender, race or learning needs will be given equal access to the computing curriculum. The computing curriculum will be differentiated according to the needs of the pupils.

If a pupil needs specialist hardware/ peripherals in order to access the computing curriculum, the school will liaise with ESPD to source the appropriate equipment.

If a child is statemented and not able to access the curriculum, at the same level as his/her peers, then provision will be made available for the pupil to access the curriculum at his/her level.

Although there will be the opportunity for all pupils to use the Purple Mash website, times tables rockstars and Numbots website at home using their own personal usernames and passwords, pupils will not be discriminated against because they do not have access to a computer outside of school. Opportunities within the school day will be provided for children to access these subscription based websites if no access is available at home.

More able/talented children when identified by teachers will be provided with work to challenge their thinking. Opportunities for wider development are provided wherever possible, for example, extra-curricular clubs.

 

Assessment

Teachers will keep samples of computing work on the Purple Mash documents folder to inform accurate assessment of individual pupils’ attainment. The computing leader will sample and moderate work as appropriate.  Teachers will make an overall judgement at the end of each Purple Mash unit of work using the terminology ‘working towards’, ‘expected standard’ or ‘greater depth’. These will be recorded in the individual class foundation subjects assessment books. These assessments will be used by the computing leader to raise children’s attainment in all areas of the computing curriculum. Assessment information is reported to parents on the end of year report and the class information will be passed on to the next teacher.

 

Online Safety

Online safety is taught in short bursts every lesson. This is planned using our online safety long term plan. Outcomes of these lessons are shared weekly with parents via our Classroom Dojo communication APP. All use of computer equipment is governed by The Staff and Visitors Code of Conduct Agreement for pupils, staff and visitors. Refer also to the E-safety Policy and AI Policy.

 

Subject Leader’s role

The subject leader has overall responsibility for the management of computing and for purchasing hardware and software.

Staff meetings will be planned for and delivered to all staff to update them on changes to the curriculum or planning. They will also be used to model how to use new equipment.

The subject leader will monitor teachers long term plans to ensure that all of the computing skills are being covered.  Samples of computing work kept within each classroom will also be scrutinised to see evidence of computing that is practical and differentiated. Each child has a personal and class folder where they will save work that has been completed on the computer. This will also be monitored to look for evidence of computing.

 

Computing Technician’s Role

We employ a computing technician (ICTIC) who is responsible for maintenance, repair and professional advice. The technician is allocated to us for one day each month. The technician will be responsible for:

• supporting the computing leader with hardware issues.
• checking and keeping up to date with computer related problems written down in the “issues” book or emailed directly to the computing technician.
• liasing with the computing leader and staff on general maintenance issues.
• installing new software onto the server and computers.
• sourcing parts required for hardware issues.
• installing and updating of the school virus software provided by LEA.
• backing up data from the schools server.
• keeping a database of school hardware up to date.
• overseeing, with the computing leader, the disposal of decommissioned hardware.

 

The School’s Website

The school’s website is updated  and monitored by S.Jones.

 

Health and Safety

We recognise the importance of health and safety issues and the potential risks with regard to computing equipment, especially when using the hardware and accessing the Internet and pupil data. All teachers are responsible for making sure the hardware and software are used correctly and safely on a day-to-day basis. Any problem should be reported to the computing technician and the computing leader. All equipment is regularly PAT tested and any problems are swiftly dealt with. We appreciate the importance of good posture therefore computers in the classrooms are placed on tables at the correct height and position for the children in the class. The children should be taught to sit upright on a chair using the back support with their arms horizontal to the keyboard. The children are shown how to adjust the brightness and contrast of the screen and to position the monitor to avoid reflections from lights to windows. After twenty minutes on the computer, the children should take a break to perform simple stretching exercises to relieve the muscles they have been using.

 

Review

The Head teacher and staff will review this policy in accordance with the development priorities stated in the School’s Development Plan. Any suggested amendments will be presented to the governing body for discussion.