Computing

"Technology is best when it brings people together." - Matt Mullenweg

Intent

In an increasingly digital world where computers are part of everyday life, it is important that every child is fully computer literate when they leave school. We believe that the knowledge and skills our children gain through the Computing curriculum at St. Mary’s will prepare them for both their next stage of education and for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life, laying the foundations so that they can successfully ‘shine as lights’ in modern British society and the wider world. Through our ambitious programme of study, which will both challenge the most able and support those with SEND where needed, all children will learn how computers and computer systems work, design and build programs, develop their ideas using technology and create a range of content.

As a school, we also believe that we should be enabling all children, but particularly the most vulnerable, to become responsible digital citizens who are able to recognise online and offline risks to their wellbeing, as well as educating them about the risks of inappropriate use of mobile technology and social media. This is achieved through regular e-safety lessons which explore the following areas: content - being exposed to illegal, inappropriate or harmful material; contact - being subjected to harmful online interaction with other users; and conduct - personal online behaviour that increases the likelihood of, or causes, harm.

Implementation

Teachers follow the Teach Computing curriculum, developed by the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE). This has been created by subject experts, based on the latest pedagogical research and teacher feedback. It also provides an innovative progression framework where computing content (concepts, knowledge, skills, and objectives) has been organised into interconnected networks we call learning graphs. Teachers can then adapt this planning to best support their class and link to learning in other areas. To support our teaching of Internet Safety, we use ProjectEVOLVE which links directly to the government’s Education for a Connected World framework. This covers areas such as: online relationships, online reputation and managing online information. Despite Computing not being explicitly mentioned within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework, which focuses on the learning and development of children from birth to age five, there are many opportunities for young children to use technology to solve problems and produce creative outcomes. ‘Computational thinking’ is a key skill which can be developed through play and exploration, as well as access to technology.

The implementation of the curriculum also ensures a balanced coverage of computer science, information technology and digital literacy. The children will have experiences of all three strands in each year group, but the subject knowledge imparted becomes increasingly specific and in depth, with more complex skills being taught, thus ensuring that learning is built upon. For example, children in Key Stage 1 learn what algorithms are, which leads them to the design stage of programming in Key Stage 2, where they design, write and debug programs, explaining the thinking behind their algorithms.

Impact

The implementation of our computing curriculum ensures that when children leave St Mary’s CE School, they are competent and safe users of ICT with an understanding of how technology works.

They will have developed skills to express themselves and be creative in using digital media and be equipped to apply their skills in Computing to different challenges going forward.

Safer Internet Day

Safer Internet Day takes place every year in February and celebrates the amazing range of information and opportunities online, and its potential to inform, connect and inspire us, whilst also looking at how young people can separate fact from fiction.

2023

This year, Safer Internet Day 2023 was celebrated on Tuesday 7th February with the theme '‘Want to talk about it? Making space for conversations about life online’. During the week, the children took part in various activities to promote e-safety and used these sessions to be a springboard for conversations that shape how we talk about and respond to online issues. 

2022

Last year, Safer Internet Day 2022 was celebrated on Tuesday 8th February with the theme ‘All fun and games? Exploring respect and relationships online’. During the week, the children took part in various activities to promote e-safety. As part of this, we also held an online e-safety meeting for parents.

2021

Held on Tuesday 9th February, the theme was: 'An internet we trust: exploring reliability in the online world.' It focused on how we can know what to trust online, supporting young people to question, challenge and change the online world. It also explored how influence, persuasion and manipulation can impact young people’s decisions, opinions and what they share online.