Thornham St. James’ C.E. (controlled) Primary School

Computing Policy

January 2021

Introduction

Computing is changing the lives of everyone. The use of computing is an integral part of the national curriculum and is a key skill for everyday life. Through teaching computing we equip children to participate in a rapidly-changing world where work and leisure activities are increasingly transformed by technology. We enable them to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information. We also focus on developing the skills necessary for children to be able to use information in a discriminating and effective way. Computing skills are a major factor in enabling children to be confident, creative and independent learners. At Thornham St James we recognise that pupils are entitled to quality hardware and software and a structured and progressive approach to the learning of the skills needed to enable them to use it effectively.

The purpose of this policy is to state how the school intends to make this provision. 

Aims

• To provide a relevant, challenging and enjoyable curriculum in computing for all pupils.
• To meet the requirements of the national curriculum programmes of study for computing.
• To use computing as a tool to enhance learning throughout the curriculum.
• To respond to new developments in technology.
• To apply their computing skills and knowledge to their learning in other areas;
• To equip pupils with the confidence and capability to use computing throughout their later life.
• To develop the understanding of how to use computing safely and responsibly.
• To develop computing capability in finding, selecting and using information;
• To use computing for effective and appropriate communication

Teachers will use a learning platform to enable learners to access the curriculum from home. The learning platform will be a link between home and school.

National Curriculum

The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Can understand and apply the fundamental principles of computer science, including logic, algorithms, data representation, and communication
• 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 computing.

Rationale

The school believes that ICT and computing:

• Gives pupils immediate access to a rich source of materials.
• Can present information in new ways which help pupils understand access and use it more readily.
• Can motivate and enthuse pupils.
• Can help pupils focus and concentrate.
• Offers potential for effective group working.
• Has the flexibility to meet the individual needs and abilities of each pupil

Objectives

Early years

It is important in the foundation stage to give children a broad, play-based experience of Computing in a range of contexts, including outdoor play. Early years learning environments should feature computing scenarios based on experience in the real world, such as in role play. Children gain confidence, control and language skills through opportunities to ‘paint’ on the whiteboard or programme a toy. Recording devices can support children to develop their communication skills.

Reception children go to the computing suit every other week for half and hour.

Key Stage 1

By the end of 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 a sequence of instructions
• Write and test simple programs
• Use logical reasoning to predict and computing the behaviour of simple programs
• Organise, store, manipulate and retrieve data in a range of digital formats
• Communicate safely and respectfully online, keeping personal information private, and recognise common uses of information technology beyond school.

Key Stage 2

By the end of key stage 2 pupils should be taught to:

• Design and write 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; generate appropriate inputs and predicted outputs to test programs
• Use logical reasoning to explain how a simple algorithm works 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
• Describe how internet search engines find and store data; use search engines effectively; be discerning in evaluating digital content; respect individuals and intellectual property; use technology responsibly, securely and safely
• Select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information.

Resources and access

The school acknowledges the need to continually maintain, update and develop its resources and to make progress towards a consistent, compatible apple system by investing in resources that will effectively deliver the strands of the national curriculum and support the use of computing across the school. Teachers are required to inform the Computing Coordinator of any faults as soon as they are noticed. Resources if not classroom based are located in the Computing suite. A service level agreement with GBM is currently in place to help support the coordinator to fulfil this role.

 Computing network infrastructure and equipment has been sited so that:

• Wi-Fi is accessible throughout school.
• Every classroom from reception to Year 6 has an interactive whiteboard with sound and connected to the Wi-Fi.
• Each class from Reception to Year 6 has an allocated slot across the week for teaching of specific ICT and computing skills
• The computer suit is available for teachers to use with their class. A booking form is placed in the staffroom for this
• The I pads are available for use throughout the day so can they can be used in any lesson.
• Pupils may use computing independently, in pairs, alongside a TA or in a group with a teacher.
• SEN children have their own I Pads
• A governor will be invited to take a particular interest in computing in the school.

Planning

As the school develops its resources and expertise to deliver the computing curriculum, modules will be planned in line with the national curriculum and will allow for clear progression. We use the Knowlsey Scheme of work to provide consistency throughout each year and for skills to be built upon. Modules will be designed to enable pupils to achieve stated objectives. Pupil progress towards these objectives will be recorded by the teacher. 

Inclusion

At Thornham St James we plan to provide for all pupils to achieve, including higher achieving pupils, gifted and talented pupils, those with SEN, pupils with disabilities, pupils from all social and cultural backgrounds, children who are in care and those subject to safeguarding, pupils from different ethnic groups and those from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

So far the children with SEN who have an IEP have their own IPad (if stated in their IEP) This IPad is clearly labelled and they have their own apps on it. They are then able to use this IPad whenever they need it to support their learning.

Health and safety

The school is aware of the health and safety issues involved in children’s use of computing. All electrical appliances in school are tested accordingly. All equipment must be pat tested before being used in school this applies to any equipment brought in to school by, for example, people running workshops, activities, etc. and it is the responsibility of the member of staff organising the workshop, etc. to advise those people. All staff should visually check electrical equipment before they use it and take any damaged equipment out of use. Damaged equipment should then be reported to the computing coordinator, school administrator or head teacher who will arrange for repair or disposal.

Security

• The computing coordinator will be responsible for regularly updating anti-virus software.
• All pupils and parents will be aware of the school rules for responsible use of computing and the internet and will understand the consequence of any misuse.
• The agreed rules for safe and responsible use of computing and the internet will be displayed in all computing areas.

Refurbishment

The school is currently undergoing a refurbishment of the interactive whiteboards throughout school.

Policy Date: January 2021

Review Date: January 2022