Computing

At Chester-le-Street CE Primary School, we want our children to have access to a progressive and engaging Computing curriculum. Technology is an essential part of life, both at home and at work. We believe children should be taught these skills to enable them to participate effectively in the ‘digital world’. Through our work with the local comprehensive school we aim to ensure that our children are developing the skills they need to succeed in the next stage of their life following the christian and church school ethos. Online safety is an integral part of today's digital world and is embedded in their learning at school. We strongly believe that the use of the web and email is an essential tool for children growing up in the modern world. Our curriculum has been designed to follow the National Curriculum and the advice of Durham LEA.

What Computing looks like across the Year Groups:

Early Years

Computing is taught in the Early Years as part of the seven areas of learning. Children in our Early Years setting are taught computing in a wide variety of ways and in different contexts. Computing is not just computers therefore; we use equipment such as iPads. Children gain confidence with everyday technology through Role Play areas and non-computer based resources such as metal detectors. All children have access to a wide range of technology throughout the day.

We aim to provide our pupils with a broad, play-based experience of Computing in a range of contexts. We believe the following:

Early Years learning environments should feature ICT scenarios based on experience in the real world, such as in roleplay.
Pupils gain confidence, control and language skills through opportunities to ‘paint’ on the interactive board/devices or control remotely operated toys.
Outdoor exploration is an important aspect, supported by ICT toys such as metal detectors, controllable traffic lights and walkie-talkie sets.
Recording devices can support children to develop their communication skills. This is especially useful for children who have English as an additional language

Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2

A high-quality Computing curriculum prepares the children to understand the digital world and to become confident in using computational thinking. Computing has deep links with other areas of the curriculum and the core subjects. The scheme of work is broken into computing, digital literacy and information technology. Pupils are taught how digital systems work and how they can put this knowledge to use. Using the knowledge they have learned, pupils are asked to use information technology to create a variety of programs, resources and systems. In addition, computing also prepares the children for the future and to become active participants in our ‘digital world’. The children learn to express themselves and develop their ideas at a suitable level which will help them for the future workplace. We provide high quality Computing lessons, which aim to engage and inspire children. Cross-curricular links are made throughout the subject, especially in the teaching of information technology. Children are exposed to a variety of resources and experiences throughout school. Work is recorded electronically and in a floor book, which will progress through school with the cohort. Children are shown how to use technology safely and to understand safety procedures. Teachers use formative assessment to check pupils' understanding and to move the children’s learning forward.

Key Stage 1 outcomes

Understand what algorithms are, how they are implemented as programs on digital devices, and that programs execute by following a sequence of instructions.
Write and test simple programs.
Organise, store, manipulate and retrieve data in a range of digital formats.
Communicate safely and respectfully online, keeping personal information private, and recognise common uses of information technology beyond school

Key Stage 2 outcomes

Design and write 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; generate appropriate inputs and predicted outputs to test programs
Use logical reasoning to explain how a simple algorithm works 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 worldwide web; and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration.
Describe how Internet search engines find and store data; use search engines effectively; be discerning in evaluating digital content; respect individuals and intellectual property; use technology responsibly, securely and safely.

Select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information.

Internet Safety

Chester-le-Street CE Primary School takes internet safety extremely seriously. We have an E- Safety Policy that provides guidance for teachers and children about how to use the internet safely. Every year group participates in lessons on e-safety and children understand how to stay safe when using technology.

Understanding social networking sites and how to keep your children safe.	Common sense media
Great advice to help keep your children safe online.	Think U Know
Understand and share the world of social networking websites with your children.	Make it Secure
Safety information for parents.	Safer Internet
Keep up to date with any e-safety issues.	ChildNet

- A reflection on standards achieved against the planned outcomes.
- Children can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation.
- Children can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems.
- Children can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.
- Children are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology (school values)
- Pupil discussions about their learning;
  
  Our Computing curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression. If children are keeping up with the curriculum, they are deemed to be making good or better progress. In addition, we measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:
At Chester-le-Street CE Primary School, we aim to enable all children to achieve their full potential. This includes children of all abilities, social and cultural backgrounds, those with disabilities, EAL speakers and SEN statements and non-statemented. We place particular emphasis on the flexibility technology brings to allowing pupils to access learning opportunities, particularly pupils with SEN and disabilities. With this in mind, we will ensure additional access to technology is provided throughout the school day and in some cases beyond the school day.

To find out what we study in our Computing curriculum at Chester-le-Street CE Primary School please click on the link below:

Computing

Computing Scheme of Work Overview Y1-6