Computing

Our Computing Curriculum is taught from EYFS to Year 6 and children learn numerous skills. These skills are built upon year on year, until the end of year Key Stage Two where children will emerge accomplished in many aspects of computing. Within the computing curriculum children learn through completing projects and have to gain new skills to complete these units of work. Children in all key stages learn computer programming and coding, testing and debugging their apps as they go.

We have a wide variety of resources to support learning both in computing lessons and across the curriculum. We have a computing suite that is used by children in Key Stage One and Key Stage Two. This means every class has the opportunity for a session in the computer suite each week. Classrooms are well resourced with interactive whiteboards, iPads and cameras, all of which are used to enhance children’s learning. 

Our Computing Vision

Medlar with Wesham C.E. Primary School values the fundamental part that technology plays in the life of the school.

We will strive to keep children safe on line and provide them with the knowledge and tools to do so. We will also empower parents, carers and the wider community with up to date information regarding keeping children safe online. We recognise the unique contribution that e-learning makes to the motivation and effectiveness of learners in our school and the role that the school has in preparing pupils for their future by improving their knowledge and understanding of how technology is an aid to learning. The dual delivery of a computing curriculum and e-learning to support other curriculum areas will empower pupils to learn creatively through innovative and flexible provision, directed by a progressive and differentiated syllabus. We will use IT and computing to empower staff to work more efficiently, creatively and effectively to improve their teaching and the assessing of the pupils in their class. IT will be an integral communication tool within the school and to the wider community.

By the time that children leave our school, it is my belief that we should have helped to develop...

• An environment of learning where all the children can fully develop their skills and reach their full potential in the subject as well as transfer learned skills to new areas of learning. Also, children can make decisions about the best use of Computing for a particular task.
• Confident Computer Scientists who understand what algorithms are and can create programs, use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content and are confident in Digital Literacy.
• To promote an atmosphere where new approaches and engagement with the subject is celebrated. Our focus should be to develop an atmosphere where children have no fear of making mistakes – where errors are looked upon as a means of improving learning in the future, using ‘FAIL’ (First Attempt in Learning) in all our classrooms.
• A vibrant, whole school creative approach to computing, integrating it more fully, this year, in the Creative Curriculum with teachers using Rising Stars as a resource.
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Computing Vision – Pupil Version

Using computers in Medlar with Wesham C.E. Primary School is very important.

The school will give you and your parents and carers information about staying safe on the computer. Computers will help you learn and get you ready for life after you finish school. You will learn computing skills in computing lessons and in the classroom on laptops and iPads. The school will text your parents and carers to keep them up to date. They will also post information about what’s happening in school on the website and on Twitter.  Teachers will use computers to make your lessons more interesting.

How does your child uses computing at school?

Computing in schools is taught as a subject in its own right and also supports children’s learning in other subjects, including English and Mathematics. Within computing lessons children learn to use a wide range of computing skills including:

· Word processing to write stories, poems or letters

· Databases to record information, e.g. minibeasts databases

· Spread sheets to create tables, charts and graphs

· Desktop publishing to design posters, leaflets or cards

· Multimedia presentations to present text, pictures and sound

· Drawing programs to create pictures and designs

· Internet and CD-ROMs to find information

· Email to contact children and teachers in another school

· Digital cameras to record what they have done in class or on a visit

· Computer coding to give instructions and make something happen

· Simulations to explore real and imaginary situations

· Website publishing to present ideas over the Internet.

How can I help my child at home?

Computing is not just about using a computer. It also includes the use of tablets, game consoles, controllable toys, digital cameras and everyday equipment such as a tape recorder or DVD player. Children can be helped to develop their computing skills at home by:

· Writing a letter to a relative

· Sending an email to a friend

· Drawing a picture on screen

· Using the Internet to research a class topic

· Planning a route with a controllable toy

· Using interactive games

· Playing on an educational App on a tablet

Key stage 1

Pupils should be taught to:

- understand what algorithms are; how they are implemented as programs on digital devices; and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions 

- create and debug simple programs

- use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs 

- use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content

- recognise common uses of information technology beyond school

- use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies.

Key stage 2

Pupils should be taught to:

- design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts

- use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output

- use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs

- understand computer networks including the internet; how they can provide multiple services, such as the world wide web; and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration

- use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content

- select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information

- use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact.