Intent, Implementation, Impact
Intent
Technology is everywhere and will play a huge part throughout our children's lives. Our world continues to evolve rapidly meaning that computing skills are becoming more and more essential to enable our children to participate. We want our pupils to be masters of technology.
At Ethelbert Road, our computing curriculum is designed around the three key areas: computer science, information technology and digital literacy (including online safety). This ensures all pupils can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation, can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs using a wide range of hardware and software. We hope that children leave us as confident, creative and independent learners who are able to select the most appropriate tool to fulfil tasks and apply their skills accordingly.
Additionally, we want our pupils to understand the complexities and implications associated with technology. As a school, we will model positive use as we recognise that education is the best tool to shape happy, healthy and respectful digital citizens.
Implementation
Our teaching and learning facilitates progression of skills and knowledge within the three key areas of computer science, information technology and digital literacy (including online safety) in line with the National Curriculum. Children have access to the hardware (laptops, iPads, programmable equipment, including BeeBots and MicroBits) and software that they need to apply said knowledge and skills. Children have the opportunity, and are encouraged to, discuss and respond to key issues around digital communication, cyberbullying, online safety, security, plagiarism and social media.
While we have explicit sessions to focus on developing skills, we feel Computing should be embedded across the curriculum. Our wider curriculum provides opportunities for practical, safe and positive use of digital systems - whether this be online research, word processing or creating presentations or videos. To increase efficiency in these areas, our children will complete the Nessy Fingers Touch Typing programme. There are many advantages to children learning touch typing, including increased phonics and language skills, developing muscle memory, many health benefits, increased confidence with writing and spelling as well as preparing children for later life in secondary school and the workplace beyond.
Our Digital Leaders (The Childnet Digital Leaders Programme) work with pupils within our collaboration and are empowered to educate their peers about online safety. The importance of online safety is displayed throughout the school and parents are informed when issues relating to this arise. Further information and support is provided on our website or from the ICT Leader of Designated Safeguarding Leads.
Impact
Children will become curious and confident users of technology and use it to accomplish a variety of goals and produce products that are both of a high quality and are purposeful. We will ensure that children do not just know the 'how-to' but also 'why' and our reflective learners by fostering an ethos of exploration and discussion in our classrooms. Alongside a progression in technical skills, children will use precise digital vocabulary accurately.
Children will understand the importance of computing in the modern world and the implications that come with technology and digital systems. They will be confident in making choices online that consider our British values of democracy, tolerance, mutual respect, rule of law and liberty.