Intent

At our school we want pupils to be MASTERS of technology and not slaves to it. Technology is everywhere and will play a pivotal part in students' lives,. Therefore, we want to model and educate our pupils on how to use technology positively, responsibly and safely. We want our pupils to be creators not consumers and our broad curriculum encompassing computer science, information technology and digital literacy reflects this. . We want our pupils to understand that there is always a choice with using technology and as a school we utilise technology (especially social media) to model positive use. We recognise that the best prevention for a lot of issues we currently see with technology/social media is through education. We recognise that technology can allow pupils to share their learning in creative ways. We also understand the accessibility opportunities technology can provide for our pupils. Our knowledge rich curriculum has to be balanced with the opportunity for pupils to apply their knowledge creatively which will in turn help our pupils become skilful computer scientists. We encourage staff to try and embed computing across the whole curriculum to make learning creative and accessible. We want our pupils to be fluent with a range of tools to best express their understanding and hope by Upper Key Stage 2, children have the independence and confidence to choose the best tool to fulfil the task and challenge set by teachers.

Implementation

• A clear and effective, bespoke cross curricular scheme of work that provides coverage in line with the National Curriculum. Teaching and learning should facilitate progression across all key stages within the strands of digital literacy, information technology and computer science
• Access to resources which aid in the acquisition of skills and knowledge.
• Children will have access to the hardware (computers, tablets, programmable equipment) and software that they need to develop knowledge and skills of digital systems and their applications
• A clear and effective scheme of work that provides coverage in line with the National Curriculum.
• Teaching and learning should facilitate progression across all key stages within the strands of digital literacy, information technology and computer science. Children will have the opportunity to explore and respond to key issues such as digital communication, cyber-bullying, online safety, security, plagiarism and social media.
• Wider Curriculum links and opportunities for the safe use of digital systems are considered in wider curriculum planning.
• The importance of online safety is shown through displays within the learning environment and computer suite.
• Parents are informed when issues relating to online safety arise and further information/support is provided if required.
• As well as opportunities underpinned within the scheme of work, children will also spend time further exploring the key issues associated with online safety

Impact

We encourage our children to enjoy and value the curriculum we deliver. We will constantly ask the WHY behind their learning and not just the HOW. We want learners to discuss, reflect and appreciate the impact computing has on their learning, development and well being. Finding the right balance with technology is key to an effective education and a healthy life-style. We feel the way we implement computing helps children realise the need for the right balance and one they can continue to build on in their next stage of education and beyond. We encourage regular discussions between staff and pupils to best embed and understand this. The way pupils showcase, share, celebrate and publish their work will best show the impact of our curriculum. We also look for evidence through reviewing pupil’s knowledge and skills digitally through tools like Seesaw and observing learning regularly. Progress of our computing curriculum is demonstrated through outcomes and the record of coverage in the process of achieving these outcomes.

E-Safety support for parents and staff

All of these sites have activities, resources and information to help your children to stay safe online and with digital technology. 

Please note that although these sites are safe, there may be links on them that may lead away from them and to potentially undesirable sites. Please exercise care, as always.

Thinkuknow – This is the first place to look for online resources and activities to help children stay safe online.

Safety Centre - Guides on how to stay safe on the most popular platforms

Netware is a parents’ guide to the social networks children and young people use. Stay up to date and keep your child safe in today’s digital world.

Kidsmart – Childnet International’s Kidsmart website has a section for children under 11 dealing with a huge range of safety issues including file-sharing, mobile phones, social networking, digital footprints, net nasties and safe surfing.

Hector’s World is part of the Thinkuknow site and is particularly suitable for younger children

CEOP’s Thinkuknow Cybercafe for Key Stage 2 pupils. It sets out to develop a set of safe behaviours for children to use when using digital technology

CBBC Stay Safe - Safe Surfing Guide

BBC Online Safety

Bullying UK - a site for parents, teachers and children with extensive advice on how to deal with Cyber Bullying

ParentInfo - A guide to keeping your child safe on Minecraft

CyberQuoll - A site for children aged 8-12 developed by NetAlert –Australia’s Internet Safety Advisory Body

Cybersmart Kids Online – Another Australian site providing resources and information on ‘smart net surfing for kids and their grownups.’

Hectors World – NZ A site that has a lot of advice and information. It also has ‘Hector safety button’ for children to use online if they find something upsetting.

iKeepSafe is an American online safety site – the home of the Internet Keep Safe Coalition.

PhoneBrain is a website for older children and teens. It’s provided by PhonePay Plus the phone-paid service regulator) It covers four key areas – mobile, landline, TV and PC.