At Castleside Primary School all of our children are encouraged to be successful in an ever changing world. Computing and technology are central to this. It is our intent that our school continues to evolve and keep up to date with changes in technology. Our computing curriculum is sequenced in a way that builds upon prior knowledge and acknowledges that children are exposed to modern computing every day in the home environment.
In computing, we teach a progressive curriculum using a range of technology, apps and software. We also encourage discussion and activities that enable the children to think about how they use technology safely and respectfully in everyday life outside of the school environment. Furthermore, we encourage technology to be used as a tool across the curriculum enabling children to develop skills, knowledge and confidence ensuring that computing is a subject which is really cross curricular.
EYFS
Children begin to learn about computing right from the beginning of their education at Castleside Primary. In Reception, children are encouraged to safely use a range of technology including computers, tablets, cameras and remote control vehicles to help them develop their speaking and listening; fine and gross motor skills and number. We recognise that even our youngest pupils start school with an understanding of some of the technology around them.
Key Stage 1
In Year 1 and 2, the Computing curriculum encompasses the following categories:
- Understand what algorithms are; how they are implemented as programs on digital devices; and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions,
- Create and debug simple programs,
- Use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs,
- use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content
- recognise common uses of information technology beyond school
- use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies.
Key Stage 2
Throughout Years 3, 4,5 and 6, children will also learn to:
- Design, write and debug 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
- Use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work 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
- Use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content
- Select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information
- use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact.
Learning Links
In modern society computing impacts upon every area of our daily lives. A high-quality computing education will enable pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and make changes to the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology. Furthermore, computing skills can be used in every subject to research and present information.
Please see our Whole School Long Term Plan and Progression of Skills document to see what our pupils will study during each year here.
Computing Progression of Skills
Online Safety
Children are growing up in a world with a vast range of online activities and therefore need to know how to keep themselves and their personal information safe. As part of our curriculum and through assemblies and whole school events, our children are taught how to stay safe online and how to report anything they find upsetting or inappropriate online to an adult or organisation. We also ensure children are aware of online threats such as cyberbullying, fraud and viruses and how these can affect their personal information.
For more information and guidance on how to stay safe online and when using popular social media and gaming platforms, please visit our Online Safety page which is designed for both children and parents to use.
