Computing
Computing Intent
Technology has become a part of everyday life for the children, families, and staff at Witton-le-Wear Primary School. Children at Witton-le-Wear Primary School all begin school with varied experiences of technology. Many children have access to devices at home, for others using the technology in school is their first experience. Our Computing curriculum is designed to allow children to safely learn about technology and its uses, develop computing skills, and apply what they have learnt in all areas of the curriculum and daily life. The computing curriculum is designed with many opportunities to collaborate and problem solve in order to give our pupils many opportunities to develop their speech, language and communication skills.
At Witton-le-Wear Primary School we aim to support children to be confident, thoughtful and respectful online citizens. We want our children to be efficient problem solvers who can adapt to the ever-changing and evolving technology around them as well as stay safe online. Pupils should leave Witton-le-Wear Primary School with the computing knowledge and skills to support their learning throughout secondary school and beyond.
Throughout their time at Witton-le-Wear Primary School children will explore the three key areas of computing: computer science, digital literacy, and information technology.
Information Technology – the use of computers for functional purposes, such as collecting and presenting information or using search technology.
Digital Literacy – the safe and responsible use of technology, including recognising its advantages for collaboration and communication.
Computer Science – an understanding of how computer networks work as well as the opportunity to learn basic computer programming.
Together these strands come together to teach children how computers and computer systems work, how to design, build and analyse programs, and how to find and manage digital information securely.
Computing in EYFS is centred around play-based, unplugged (no computer) activities that focus on building children’s listening skills, curiosity and creativity and problem solving. Technology in the Early Years can mean taking a photograph with a camera or tablet, searching for information on the internet, playing games on the interactive whiteboard, exploring an old typewriter or other mechanical toys, using a Beebot, watching a video clip or listening to music. Children also become familiar with the Purple Mash platform in EYFS, using Mini Mash to support development in the Early Learning Goals. Allowing children the opportunity to explore technology in this carefree and often child-led way, means that not only will they develop a familiarity with equipment and vocabulary but they will have a strong start in Key Stage 1 Computing and all that it demands.
In KS1 and KS1 we follow a tailored two-year rolling programme using Purple Mash and Espresso Coding to teach Computing. By the end of KS2 we want children to have experienced and interacted with the three pillars of progression in computing: information technology, digital literacy and computer science.
Pupils in KS1 and KS2 start each school year focusing on digital literacy with a focus on internet safety and using technology safely. By the end of KS1 children know that passwords help to keep information and data safe and should be kept private along with personal information, pupils know how to use a range of programs and the internet to search safely and know that there is a range of technology outside of school and that this should also be used safely and respectfully. By the end of KS1 children can also identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies. These objectives are explored using a range of unplugged activities, debates and discussions, Purple Mash units and online safety stories such as Digi Duck and Jessie and Friends video episodes.
By the end of KS2 children will have explored digital literacy across a range of contexts and subjects including PSHE, RSE and English and know that digital literacy links to many aspects of the curriculum and out of school life. Pupils in KS2 will be able to use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly modelling this to younger pupils across the school. They will be able to recognise acceptable and unacceptable online behaviours and will be able to identify a range of ways to report concern about content and contact. These objectives are studied using activities such as debates and discussions, writing opportunities, Purple Mash units and online safety stories.
Within Computer Science we want children to know that algorithms are a precise, step-by-step set of instructions used to solve a problem or achieve an objective. We want our children to know that simple block coding can create programs that can be run on machines. By the end of KS1 children should know how algorithms and programs work and be able to debug simple errors from computer hardware or software as well as predict the behaviour of simple programs. Children in KS1 use Espresso Coding, Beebots, programmable games, Lego and unplugged activities to explore Computer Science.
In KS2 children will build on their knowledge of computer science and transfer their skills using a range of programs and technologies. Pupils will design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems and be able to solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts.
Information technology is taught alongside digital literacy and computer science but is also taught discreetly in KS1 and KS2. By the end of KS1 pupils will know that there are many uses for information technology both in school and beyond. Pupils will know how to use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content. Pupils in KS1 use Purple Mash units and programs, iPads, laptops, Microsoft Office programs, cameras and microphones explore information technology.
In KS2 we want pupils to build on their learning from KS1 and gain lifelong computing skills to prepare them for both further academic learning and future career prospects, ending their time at Witton-le-Wear Primary School as efficient users of technology.
Computing Downloads
Due to our mixed-age classes, like other subjects computing is taught across two cycles (A and B). The following documents show the topics that are covered in each cycle and how children will progress in each topic.
Class teachers decide how long to spend on each topic depending on its content and knowledge and understanding of the children. Further details can be found in class long term plans and by contacting your child’s class teacher.
The science leader for the school is Rebecca Redfern.
