Computing
In an ever changing technological world we recognise the importance that computing has in the curriculum in preparing our children for their future lives as British citizens. In order to access and use computing we ensure that children develop their digital literacy skills in understanding how to be safe and respectful when on line. Alongside this we develop an understanding of where to get support if they feel concerned about issues arising from any of the technologies they have used (see our SMART rules below).
In the foundation stage, computing is covered though the technology aspect of the understanding the world strand of the EYFS curriculum. Children develop an awareness of where technology is used in today’s society, and gain a basic awareness of the operational use of equipment, such as CD players, cameras and toys. Through direct teaching, and through continuous provision they are able to explore and practise specific computing skills through using range of software available on both the computer and IPads.
In Key Stage 1, children build on previously learning and develop their communication skills in using technology to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital sources of information. The role of computing in this sense enables them to enhance their learning across the curriculum. They research to deepening their curriculum knowledge, and present their understanding in a digital format. The curriculum is such that it also enables children to explore social communication in a safe and secure environment. We use Digital Brain as a virtual learning platform for children to blog, email and participate in forums.
In more recent years, computational thinking has come to the forefront of teaching within the curriculum. Children develop the understanding of computer programming in being able to create algorithms (sets of instructions to perform a given task), and also the skill of debugging (making amendments and corrections). This is applied across the curriculum e.g. directing someone around a course, writing instructions for a given task, re-ordering a set of mixed up instructions. It is then applied within the computing curriculum using a range of specific resources to develop these skills, namely the Bee-Bot robot and using scratch junior software where children are required to give instructions to digital devices in a format that it ‘understands’.
In a forever changing world which is constantly being driven be developments in technology, we need to prepare our children to be creative and critical thinkers. By developing all of these basic computing skills we are equipping them with the ability to access a range of roles in the future where they will be able to transfer their understanding. We strive to provide them with the skills and understanding to be the inventors, operators and programmers of the future.
We ensure all children have access to the content of the EYFS curriculum and the National Curriculum for computing.
Click here for the EYFS curriculum.
Click here for the Key Stage One curriculum (year 1 and 2).