Computing

Intent 

Our intent for the teaching and learning of computing is that it should permeate the curriculum seamlessly, allowing our children to learn in creative ways and experiment with new ways of learning, and showing learning. We believe that computing should be a ‘tool’ for learning, which children have the opportunity to choose to make use of when they decide to, and which can broaden and deepen the experience of learning. 

We aim to enhance teaching and learning throughout the school by fully integrating computing across all aspects of the curriculum with a broad range of interactive technology. 

We also aim to use technology to enhance connections with parents and the extended school community. Finally, we will ensure that children can safeguard themselves effectively through ongoing teaching of e-safety, and striving to be aware of developing technologies in school. Effective computing will allow our children to develop the necessary digital literacy and technological understanding needed to be a safe and positive digital citizen in the modern world. 

Implementation 

At Ambleside, computing is delivered discretely through a weekly lesson in Years 1-6. This dedicated time gives the learners ample time to explore new concepts, learn new skills and discover new uses for technology. Computing planning is in line with the National Curriculum using the Purple Mash computing scheme of work following the 3 main areas of learning for computing: Computer Science,  Information Technology and Digital Literacy. 

Rather than a scheme with set lessons, the early years resources are designed to integrate into the day-today routine and set-up of an early years setting with opportunities for using Mini Mash or Purple Mash as part of the Early Years curriculum to support children in working towards early learning goals.

To ensure that our learners gain a wide variety of skills and experience with different technologies, we have invested in iPads across the school and upper Key Stage 2 have access to Microsoft PCs. This enables teaching to be both specific to software solutions, and encourages learners to explore different solutions to problems using their broad experiences. The school also takes part in Safer Internet Day, in addition to discrete e-safety teaching, to give a broader understanding of e-safety issues. 

Computing progress is measured for each learner through age related expectations that are linked to the learning for each year group using the Purple Mash assessment tool. 

Impact

The effective teaching of computing will impact Ambleside learners in these ways: 

  • They will be digitally literate and able to select from a range of tools and skills to create a digital outcome for a given task. 
  • They will understand that technology needs to be used with, and treated with, respect. 
  • They will understand how the internet works. 
  • They will understand the benefits and potential dangers of using the internet. 
  • They will help themselves and others to minimise the risks of being online and know how to manage any potentially dangerous incidents. 
  • They will understand the power of algorithms and how they impact our daily lives. 
  • They will be able to take creative approaches towards problem solving and use logical thinking to support their solutions.

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