Computing

Our Intent

 At Broadmead, we aim to prepare our learners for their future by giving them the opportunities to gain knowledge and develop skills that will equip them for an ever changing digital world. Knowledge and understanding of ICT is of increasing importance for children’s future both at home and for employment. Our Computing curriculum focuses on a progression of skills in digital literacy, computer science, information technology and online safety to ensure that children become competent in safely using, as well as understanding, technology.

These strands are revisited repeatedly through a range of themes during children’s time in school to ensure the learning is embedded and skills are successfully developed. Our intention is that Computing also supports children’s creativity and cross curricular learning to engage children and enrich their experiences in school.

Our Implementation

Our whole curriculum is shaped by our school vision which aims to enable all children, regardless of background, ability, additional needs, to flourish to become the very best version of themselves they can possibly be. To allow each child to Belong, Learn and Succeed.

We teach to the National Curriculum, supported by a clear skills and knowledge progression. To ensure this progression of skills at Broadmead we follow the Rising Stars Computing Scheme. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children.

To ensure a broad range of skills and understanding, Computing is taught across three main strands:

• Computer science
• Problem solving
• Programming
• Logical thinking
• Information technology
• Creating content
• Searching
• Digital literacy
• E-safety
• Using IT beyond school

As part of our computing scheme, children learn to use and express themselves and develop their ideas through Computing for example writing and presenting as well as exploring art and design using multimedia. Within digital literacy, children develop practical skills in the safe use of ICT and the ability to apply these skills to solving relevant, worthwhile problems for example understanding safe use of the internet, networks and email. We teach children to understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation. Also, to analyse problems and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems. We also teach a progression of Computing vocabulary to support children in their understanding.

Online safety is taught within each Computing unit.

Our Impact

The implementation of this curriculum ensures that when children leave Broadmead, they are competent and safe users of ICT with an understanding of how technology works. They will have developed skills to express themselves and be creative in using digital media and be equipped to apply their skills in Computing to different challenges going forward.

To read our Computing Policy please click here.

E-Safety

Broadmead Lower School works with staff, pupils and parents  to create a school community which values the use of new technologies in enhancing learning, encourages responsible use of computers, and follows agreed policies to minimise potential e-safety risks.

We discuss, monitor and review our e-safety policy on a regular basis, linking it with other relevant policies such as Safeguarding, Pupil Behaviour and Anti-Bullying Policies. We support staff in the use of ICT as an essential tool for enhancing learning and in the embedding of e-safety across the whole school curriculum.

We ensure that pupils are aware of the potential e-safety risks associated with the use of computers and mobile technologies, that pupils feel able and safe to report incidents and abide by the school’s e-safety policy.

CEOP

CEOP helps any child or young person under the age of 18 who is being pressured, forced or tricked into taking part in an activity of any kind online.
You can visit the CEOP Safety Centre for information and advice and make a report directly to CEOP by clicking on the button below.

If you are experiencing online bullying or something else online has worried you please speak to an adult you trust, or you can talk to
Childline at any time on 0800 1111 or at www.childline.org.uk.

• New advice from CEOPs on using parental controls can be found by clicking here.
• Advice about younger children sharing pictures and videos on line can be found by clicking here.

• Advice and information about parental controls on the X-Box can be viewed by clicking here.
• Advice and information about parental controls on the Playstation can be viewed by clicking here.
• Advice and information about parental controls on the Wii can be viewed by clicking here.

 Useful websites

 http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk - An educational website designed specifically for young children, teachers and carers. Activities on this website can be enjoyed with your children, as well as information being provided to support parents

http://parentinfo.org/articles/all - Useful article from CEOPs and Parent Zone

http://www.kidsmart.org.uk/parents/ - An award winning website, providing useful information for parents as well as activities for children to enjoy and learn from

 http://www.vodafone.com/content/parents/digital-parenting.html - The Digital Parenting website and magazines offer parents information and advice about the latest digital technologies and the kind of challenges children and teenagers might face in their digital world. Their Expert View articles, ‘How to’ guides and Take Action checklists will help you to stay up-to-date and feel more confident about getting involved with e-safety.

Useful links

Gaming consoles and devices - https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/gaming-consoles/
Smartphones - https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/smartphones-and-other-devices/
Broadband and mobile networks - https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/broadband-mobile/
Entertainment and search engines - https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/entertainment-search-engines/

Safety/privacy settings on social media:

https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/social-media/

Advice by age:

Pre-school - https://www.internetmatters.org/advice/0-5/
6 - 10 year olds - https://www.internetmatters.org/advice/6-10/

The Good Online Gaming Guide

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