Computing

Intent

At Dovedale safeguarding is our primary concern and to ensure all our children are able to use the internet safely, we teach a planned Online Safety curriculum as well as responding to situations as they arrive. All pupils, including those with SEND and vulnerable children, are taught the Online Safety curriculum and the computing curriculum.  All our children have access to a computing curriculum in order for them to understand and participate in a world that is ever increasingly influenced by technology. We believe the knowledge, skills and understanding taught through our curriculum will empower our learners to think computationally, and become more able to conceptualise, understand and use computer-based technology, and so are better prepared for today’s world and future.

Implementation

Computing lessons ensure that the children gain a more secure understanding of the knowledge and skills within our curriculum and the sequence of progression of lessons has been carefully considered to ensure knowledge and skills are built at each stage. However, when appropriate, computing may be used as a vehicle for the children to present their learning in other subjects. For example, the children might create an animation about a process they have learnt of in a science lesson. Computing lessons cover all three strands of the National Curriculum; Digital Literacy, Information Technology and Computer Science and Online Safety is taught throughout the year as appropriate. Children use SeeSaw as an online portfolio to showcase their work in Computing and Online safety.

Internet safety is a priority at Dovedale. The children are introduced to a new theme each half term, they then complete activities linked to this in class. Also, our Key Stage 2 eCadets help to ensure that online safety is a high profile, and our children are well informed on current online safety issues. We also, in KS2, follow the ‘Be Internet Legends’ scheme of work; providing children with real life scenarios and showing them how to deal with them appropriately. Staff and children have access to a range of hardware and software to support them with teaching and learning in computing including; iPads, laptops and programmable robots. To further enhance our curriculum and inspire our children we offer Computing clubs.

Teachers are regularly updated about new software and hardware available for them to implement their lessons. Regular CPD is provided to ensure all staff have the subject knowledge and confidence to promote and teach what is a relatively new curriculum.

Impact

Our curriculum ensures that all our children are confident and independent users of technology and that they can accomplish a wide variety of goals both at school, and at home. Teachers quickly identify misconceptions or gaps in understanding which can then be addressed promptly with the children. Teaching can then be adapted to support varied paces of learning and ensures all pupils make good progress.  The computing curriculum is regularly monitored by the subject leader through lesson visits, discussions with pupil and teachers and evaluation of work produced by the children.

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