Computing
How do we teach Computing?
At Colham Manor Primary School we share a rich and clear vision: Pupils should be online-safe, online-inspired and online-confident.
Computing is an important part of our everyday life and will play an infinite part in our children’s futures. At Colham Manor we will provide all of our children with the skills, creativity and enthusiasm to live and thrive in a world increasingly dependent on computing. As computing technology underpins today’s contemporary lifestyle it is essential that all pupils gain the confidence and ability that they need in this subject, to prepare them for the challenge of a rapidly developing and inevitably changing technological world.
The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure that 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 in order to solve such problems
- Can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems
- Are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
To help us accomplish this all pupils joining us from Nursery through to Year 2 have access to their own account on Seesaw. In Key Stage 2, children have access to Google Classroom. These platforms are used to support learning in class and at home. Families can access and view the activities, knowledge and skills children have been learning and there is opportunity for two-way dialogue between home and school. Each child’s Seesaw login QR code or Google Classroom login will be sent home with them in September or when starting at our school.
We are fully resourced for Computing. Nursery and Reception have access to their Seesaw profiles via tablets; pupils in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 have access to Chromebooks and laptops that support the teaching of computing and can be used to enhance all areas of the curriculum.
At Colham Manor we believe that Computing has become an integral part of modern society, revolutionising the way we live. It is ever-present and as a result, we take a cross-curricular approach to incorporating the disciplinary knowledge and skills into other areas of the curriculum e.g. children being able to record a podcast or video broadcast of a history report recalling knowledge and skills learned in English, using the Audacity App.
For information on the role of computing and technology in the Early Years curriculum, please navigate to our Early Years Foundation Stage page.
Coverage in 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.
Coverage in 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.
Online safety
We believe strongly that educating pupils in the use of digital media and technology has many benefits including helping them to communicate, learn and create, but that it also presents challenges. We believe it is vital to engage pupils in online safety and help them to develop key digital literacy skills that will equip them with the knowledge to use the internet and technology in a safe, respectful and effective way.
We feel this message is most valued when both home and school work together. During our lessons, we always reinforce the message of staying safe online and show our children how to make sure that they are safe and stay safe. Our internal school systems are monitored with systems in place to help protect children.