Computing

Intent

With technology playing such a significant role in society today, we believe computing and ‘digital literacy’ is a skill children must be taught if they are to be able to participate effectively and safely in this increasingly digital world. A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use creativity to understand and change the world. Ensuring our children have the knowledge, skills and understanding to operate and use computers yet also allowing children to research and broaden their knowledge in other curricular areas by using a computer.  Computing also ensures children become ‘digitally literate’; able to use and develop their ideas through information and communication technology at a level building them towards the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.

Implementation

Computing skills are taught both discretely and cross-curricularly, supporting other areas of learning across the school. In Reception and Key Stage 1, children are taught to use equipment and software confidently and purposefully, to communicate and handle information and to support their problem solving, recording and expressive skills. At Scott Broadwood we use the ‘Teach Computing’ curriculum; an innovative progression framework where computing content has been organised into interconnected networks and has been created by subject experts, using the latest pedagogical research and teacher feedback.  Building on the knowledge and understanding taught in discrete Computing lessons, pupils are equipped to use computers in a cross-curricular way.   The children at Scott Broadwood have access to hardware (chrome books, tablets, programmable equipment) and software that they need to develop knowledge and skills of digital systems and their applications. As well as opportunities underpinned within the scheme of work, children also spend time further exploring the key issues associated with online safety. They will use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour and identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact. Even our children in Early Years provision will be exposed to the understanding of internet safety as they explore the world around them and how technology is an everyday part of their learning and understanding of the world.

Impact

Children at Scott Broadwood are digitally literate and able to join the rest of the world on its digital platform.  They are equipped, not only with the skills and knowledge to use technology effectively and for their own benefit, but more importantly, safely.  The biggest impact we want on our children is that they understand the consequences of using the internet and that they are also aware of how to keep themselves safe online. As children become more confident in their abilities in Computing, they will become more independent and key life skills such as problem-solving, logical thinking and self-evaluation.