Computing
Welcome to computing at Woodlands!
Intent
At Woodlands our aim is to prepare pupils for the future by giving them the skills and knowledge to equip them with the fast moving digital world that we live in. Technology has become an important part of children`s lives, enabling them to undertake research, talk to their friends and family and access information from around the world in a variety of ways.
New technology and communications are exciting; they are also rapidly changing and becoming increasingly more sophisticated. To that end, computing, in particular, online safety, has become a very important subject area to enable children to move into a more digital world safely and with the relevant knowledge.
Our computing curriculum focuses on a progression of skills in digital literacy, computer science, information technology and online safety to ensure that children become confident in using and understanding a variety of digital devices, software and apps and how to use them safely. Units of the computing curriculum are revisited to ensure progression and to embed skills, learning and a love for computing.
Implementation
Our computing curriculum is based on the ‘Teach Computing’ scheme of work and meets the National Curriculum expectations. Here the children will participate in lessons that teach the three main strands: digital literacy, computer science and information technology. Children will practice skills like typing, produce documents where text and images have been combined, create websites, edit videos and sounds as well as exploring art and design using multimedia.
In computer science children will develop coding skills, how to write code, learn about algorithms and how to fix coding problems. This will be done through using a variety of technology, software and apps. In EYFS the children use simple coding toys and writing basic coding and then move to using BeeBots and ScratchJr in Key Stage 1. Progressing to using different coding software in Year 3 and 4, like Scratch, then moving to ‘physical computing’ in Year 5 and 6 where the children will use Micro:bit and Crumble. All of this will help the children to become ‘computational thinkers’.
The children will participate in a variety of activities including unplugged and technology base activities to help them learn, embed and develop the skills needed to be confident learners within this subject.
The 'Project Evolve' scheme of work for teaching online safety is used at our school. This is reinforced through the computing curriculum as well as SMSC, workshops, assemblies and enrichment days like ‘Internet Safety day’. These lessons help to build children's confience when online, understand the improtance of staying safe and know how to report any concerns.
Online Safety websites
Here are some websites for parents and carers about keeping your child safe when online and using technology.
Click here for information from the NSPCC about keeping your children safe online.
Click here for information about keeping safe from National Online Saftey.
Click here to access the Childnet website.
This page from Childnet has information about gaming and how to talk to your child about gaming safety online. Click here to access this.
Click here for the Natterhub website.
Click here for videos from Knowsley.org.uk showing how to set up parental controls.
Below are a section of guides from the National Online Safety website that give advice about apps that children use.
