Computing

COMPUTING STATEMENT OF INTENT

Our vision is to support children in becoming creative, independent learners and ensure they develop a healthy relationship with technology. At Sylvester Primary Academy, we value and recognise the contribution that technology can make for the benefit of all pupils, staff, parents, governors and society. We strive to provide safe opportunities in computing to motivate, inspire and raise standards across the curriculum. Everyone in our school community will be equipped with the digital skills to meet developing technology with confidence, enthusiasm and prepare them for a future in an ever-changing world.

We want our children to be creators and innovators not just consumers of digital content. The idea of the children as digital creators is what underpins the planning and computing units we follow from the Knowsley City Learning Centre scheme. Our children are taught to understand that technology is an integral part of modern life and the key to the future is to harness and understand technology’s potential. Computing is a constantly evolving subject that involves solving complex problems, being able to collaborate with others, learn from mistakes and refine solutions.

Here at Sylvester Primary Academy, we believe safety is paramount. We promote and model a balanced digital life, recognising that amongst the many positives that technology has to offer, risks exist and children need to be taught to manage their digital lives properly. We strive to model and educate our children to use technology creatively, positively, responsibly and safely. Our curriculum supports the key aims of the government’s Internet Safety Strategy (Digital Literacy / UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) framework) of supporting children to stay safe and make a positive contribution online, as well enabling teachers to develop effective strategies for understanding and handling online risks.

HOW WE TEACH COMPUTING

Using the Knowsley City Learning Centre (CLC) scheme, computing is taught as a discrete subject across KS1 and KS2. Lessons are taught on a weekly basis or as ‘blocks of learning’ and include: mandatory skills; computer science (including coding); information technology and digital literacy. Topics are taught using largely IPads although children have access to laptops and MacBooks. Every year, as part of digital literacy, children complete a unit titled ‘My Online Life’ which covers internet safety, inclusive of social media.

In addition to discrete lessons, computing skills are developed across the curriculum; using computing devises to aid and enhance learning in the core and foundation subjects.

CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

Please view our whole school scheme of work and progression overview for Computing.

SEND ADAPTATIONS

Computing lessons at Sylvester build on prior learning to support all children, including children with SEND. Our aim is to provide every young person with the skills and knowledge to become active participants in a digital world. For pupils with SEND, technology provides great opportunities for accessing learning, for enabling communication and preparing them for their future lives and careers therefore ensuring computing lessons are fully inclusive is paramount.

At Sylvester, computing lessons are taught mainly using iPads with screen filters to reduce glare and the ability to select and enlarge text. During whole class teaching, visual, auditory and kinaesthetic approaches are used, such as supporting teacher talk with visual aids, including images and video. When children are asked to record their understanding, alternatives to written recording are offered, including: drawing, scribing, word processing, mind maps, digital images, video and voice recording. Through the school’s adopted CLC curriculum, opportunities are provided for pupils to repeat and reinforce previously learnt skills and processes, in similar and different contexts.

Support from additional adults is used to scaffold pupils’ learning, supporting them, increasingly, to work more independently. Tasks are broken down into more manageable chunks and teaching moves between whole class and independent activities regularly during a lesson. Mixed ability pairings are often used to support SEND pupils in accessing the computing curriculum alongside their peers. Pupils are allowed time to discuss answers to questions in pairs, before responses are requested. Where appropriate, additional adults prepare pupils to contribute to feedback sessions.