Computing

Intent

At Lakey Lane we want our pupils to be MASTERS of technology.  

Our aim is for all of our children to be exposed to a high-quality computing education which ensures that the curriculum is both exciting and informative and prepares children for a technological future world. We believe the Computing Curriculum is not an isolated subject but one that is an integral part of all learning. To ensure coverage (building on prior learning) and progression from Early Years to Year 6 we follow the Purple Mash Computing Scheme of work. This is taught through a series of units focusing on digital literacy, computer science and information technology and provides our children with a broad and balanced curriculum that is challenging as well as engaging.

We aim to deliver our curriculum through 3 key drivers and our 6 school values which underpin our children’s learning.

Aspiration- It is important to us that our pupils are given a thorough, relevant and ambitious computing education. We want them to understand how to use the ever-changing digital world to express themselves, as tools for learning and as a means to drive their generation forward to become ‘thinkers of the future’. 

Citizenship- Technology is everywhere and will play a pivotal part in students' lives. Our intent, is to model and educate our pupils on how to use technology positively and safely to become responsible citizens. As a school, we utilise technology to model positive use. We recognise that the best prevention for a lot of issues we currently see with technology/social media is through education.  

Equality- At Lakey Lane, we ensure that all pupils, regardless of their specific needs or backgrounds make the best possible progress. We recognise that every child is entitled to a quality of provision that will enable them to achieve their potential in computing. We encourage staff to embed computing across the whole curriculum to make learning creative and accessible for everyone. Our intent is for ALL children to develop a love of computing and to have independence and confidence within this subject. 

Ambition – to challenge our children’s digital thinking and encourage them to use technology creatively and safely. To develop problem solving skills which can be applied in all aspects of life. To offer the children opportunities to have new experiences that are beyond their every day life and inspire them to reach their full potential.

Self-belief – Through debugging exercises and problem-solving activities, our curriculum promotes perseverance and resilience and a ‘can do’ attitude that our children can apply throughout their future endeavours. To be sensible, polite and respectful users of technology and to have the confidence to know what to do should they encounter anything inappropriate.

Community – To be respectful when participating in any online community. To have a sound understanding of what it means to be an effective user of technology in the wider world and prepare them for a digital life. To ensure all of our children have the same online opportunities by providing them with the means to access different modes of technology in school. To be given opportunities within the Lakey Computing community by attending E.Safety club and Computing club.

Respect –To be responsible and respectful users of all online technology, treating others as they would in the real world and communicate accordingly. To have an understanding of the value of technology. To develop an understanding of privacy and passwords; how it enables users to stay safe and protected and how and why it must be upheld.  

Curiosity –To develop children’s ability to enquire and ask questions through searches, research tasks and problem-solving. To expand and develop their thinking so they begin to ask why things work the way they do, e.g. algorithms within a computer program. To give them access to the world around them and encourage them to ask questions.

Kindness – to be compassionate towards other users’ digital activities. To make a positive online contribution considering the impact on their digital footprint.

Implementation

Our curriculum is taught through Purple Mash, an online tool that delivers the computing curriculum through a series of fun and creative units for each year group. These units are designed to engage children whilst also giving them full coverage of the computing curriculum and the three strands. 

There are 3 strands to the Computing Curriculum:

• Computer Science—pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. 
• Information Technology— to create programs, systems and a range of content. Using technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content.
• Digital Literacy— Pupils are able to express themselves and develop their ideas through information and communication technology. Essentially they become confident and creative users of technology. 

As well as computing, Purple Mash seeks to embed computing skills in a range of other subjects. It has applications for English, Maths and Science that teachers can use to broaden the learning experience of their children. For both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 the curriculum is delivered in the computer suite during a 45 minute session each week.  However, staff are encouraged to provide additional opportunities to develop our children’s digital confidence by using the laptops, cameras, beebots and ipads in all subjects.

For foundation stage children in Nursery and Reception there are many opportunities for digital exploration built in to each half term's project and we are currently incorporating the Purple Mash Early Years Computing Skills into Reception's projects. This will focus on developing the foundations of computing skills in early years that will give children a sound basis to explore topics using technology and to be ready for progressing through the Computing curriculum. Familiarity with some of these skills will reduce the cognitive load on children in future learning and enable them to make progress more rapidly.

There is an amended version of Purple Mash called Mini Mash that they also have access too which builds key computing skills such as mouse work.

E-safety objectives are delivered through Purple Mash in a discreet unit at the start of every academic year and they are woven through all the other units and continually referred to and revisited.  A weekly E-Safety club is run by our AHT and computing lead with a group of Year 5 ‘E-Safety Warriors’ who have been trained to advise and support children in Key Stage 2 with any e-safety concerns they have. An 'Internet Safety Worry Box' is located in the computer suite for children to access with the computing lead checking it regularly.

As well as the children, we provide our parents with many opportunities throughout the year to develop their computing skills; ranging from beginner courses to internet safety workshops. On top of this, children are given their Purple Mash logins so that parents have the opportunity to explore Purple Mash with their children at home.