Computing

INTENT

• A broad curriculum that is in line with current statutory requirements for Computing and Online Safety e.g. National Curriculum, Education For a Connected World, Common Sense Media & Be Internet Legends
• All year groups cover the main NC objectives of Computing: Online Safety, Digital Literacy, Computer Science, Technology in our lives and Digital Skills
• Children are given the knowledge and understanding to work safely, responsibility and with a healthy approach to technology throughout the rest of the school year
• Children are taught to be aware of the 4 main risks involved in using the internet (4c’s - Content, Contact, Conduct, Commerce)
• Objectives are revisited, developed and often put into practice throughout the year considering pupils use of technology across the curriculum
• Digital skills are a key part of our approach to teaching and learning, we aim to shift our pupils from being ‘passive users’ to ‘active users’ of technology - Digital Skills passport programme is used to support this
• The curriculum combines both ‘online’ and ‘offline’ teaching (discussion based)
• All children have access to technology and SEND, EAL, DA children are supported with rich discussions within each lesson 
• Technology is regularly reviewed and problems are identified quickly to ensure maximum usage e.g. wifi connecting, VR headsets, iPads
• Digital Leaders are established in both schools as a resource to share and expand opportunities for technology for learning

IMPLEMENTATION

• Ensure all year groups have Chromebooks to access Online safety lessons during Autumn 1 & 2. EYFS & KS1 are accessing Common Sense , KS2 are accessing Internet Legends  (e.g Year 3 Be Internet Sharp - Think before you share I can give examples of when I should ask permission to do something online and explain why this is important. Search for information about myself online.  Recognise I need to be careful before I share anything about myself or others online. Know who I should ask if I am not sure if I should put something online).
• During Spring 1 & 2  EYFS children are accessing Digital Literacy (More in depth as they are working developing this skill throughout the year). Y1/2 are accessing Computer Science.  KS2 is accessing Technology in our lives during Spring 1 and Computer Science during Spring 2 (e.g EFYS Digital Literacy, Starter: Remind the children how to scan the QR code and find their folder. I can use a microphone to record different animal sounds).
• During Summer 1 EYFS children are accessing Digital Literacy. KS1 is accessing Technology in our lives.  KS2 is accessing Computer Science (e.g KS1 - Year 1, To analyse some of the benefits of technology in the modern world. I can explain how some people may have devices in their homes connected to the internet and give examples (e.g. lights, fridges, toys, televisions, doorbells, heating).
• During Summer 2 EYFS children are accessing Computer Science and KS1 and KS2 is  accessing Explicit Digital Skills (e.g KS2 - Year 6, Plan and promote an event: Collaborate digitally in a shared document, Organise and sort data in a spreadsheet, Create a digitally shared calendar, Create and publish a website).

IMPACT

• Examples of learning can be seen within Seesaw and Google classrooms
• Internet Safety lessons are predominately discussion based which helps to address key issues within the class and any concerns the children have regarding their own presence online
• The explicit teaching of Digital Skills helps to support all curriculum areas as children are confident in using a variety of Google applications 
• Digital Leaders are able to support both the children within their class as well as the teachers through sharing best practice and how different apps can be used across curriculum areas
• FADE forms are completed on a termly basis to ensure high quality teaching is happening and to evaluate and share best practice amongst staff 

Computing Curriculum

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.

Digital Skills Curriculum

In addition to our online safety provision, digital skills are a key part of the LEO Academy Trust’s approach to teaching and learning and are not just part of the computing curriculum. The digital world provides a platform that allows us to connect, collaborate and create. It opens up opportunities to learn about new and important issues, and it empowers innovation in ways that were unimaginable just a few years ago. Digital literacy is necessary for children to demonstrate their ability to become digital citizens; individuals responsible for how they use technology to interact with the world around them. Whilst most pupils may be adept at using digital tools (quick swipes, open browsers, play games, watch videos) through passive use, their understanding of what these tools can do actively as a learning tool is often limited. We aim to shift our pupils from being ‘passive users’ of technology to ‘active users’ of technology. Technology enables pupil-driven choice and differentiation in the kind of work they create for sharing their learning and understanding such as video, audio, or written stories. 

Using technology is great to help us learn. However, effective use of them comes when we know the digital skills to utilise them. 

Knowing how to access, what to click on, how to use an app, tips, shortcuts, and more advanced levels make it easier and quicker so you spend more time learning than just trying to work out how to get on to the device. At the LEO Academy Trust, we believe that the digital skills curriculum should be embedded as part of everyday teaching and learning, rather than taught stand-alone. It is something that is constantly changing and evolving. 

Online Safety

Online Safety is taught discretely in the Autumn term throughout all year groups, using guidance from the ‘Education for a Connected World’ Framework. This Framework has been built upon by the Trust to incorporate lessons and resources from Thinkuknow, Common Sense Media and the Google ‘Be Internet Legends’ Scheme for KS2. This ensures that children are given the knowledge and understanding to work safely, responsibly, and with a healthy approach to technology throughout the rest of the school year. Within this framework, children are taught to be aware of the 4 main risks involved in using the internet, often referred to as the 4C’s.

• Content: being exposed to illegal, inappropriate, or harmful material
• Contact: being subjected to harmful online interaction with other users
• Conduct: personal online behaviour that increases the likelihood of, or causes, harm
• Commerce: these are risks such as online gambling, inappropriate advertising, and financial scams.