Computing at Cuddington and Dinton

Intent

At Cuddington and Dinton Church of England school, we provide a high-quality computing education which will enable child to embrace and use new technology in a positive, safe and responsible way.

Teaching children the importance of online safety plays an integral role in ensuring that they are prepared for the world that they live in. Children will have a clear understanding of the meaning of personal information, digital footprint and where to seek advice should they need it.

We want children to become digitally literate by developing a range of skills and knowledge enabling them to be flexible, creative and confident users of technology.

“We are preparing children for jobs that have not yet been invented, in order to solve problems we don’t even know are problems yet.” – Richard Riley (former US Secretary of Education)

Implementation

At Cuddington and Dinton school the children begin their journey with technology in Early Years, with access to iPads, SMART boards and Bee-Bots, as well as some time spent in the computer room to familiarise children with a desktop setup. Teachers facilitate children’s curiosity with challenge and modelling how to use the equipment carefully and safely.

In KS1 children continue their journey with the Bee-Bots, using them more precisely. They learn how to programme a Bee-Bot to reach a destination and begin to be able to debug when something doesn’t work. Children are taught and encouraged to use specific computing language throughout lessons. Children will work within the computer room where they will improve their mouse control, keyboard skills and learn how to navigate a computer. They learn about online safety and what to do if they encounter something which makes them feel uncomfortable as well as what personal information is and why it is important we don’t share it with someone on the internet. Coding then progresses from Bee-Bots onto a computer-based programmes.

As children progress into KS2 the coding becomes more complex and they are able to create basic games with code. Their digital literacy skills are combined with other subjects such as English, science, history and geography. The children use Word to create, save and print documents. Presentations are created using PowerPoint with pictures being inserted. Children learn how to use the hardware we have in school including iPads and computer cameras, where they are taught how to take and manipulate pictures. The children are also taught internet safety throughout each year of KS2. They know how to keep themselves safe online and what to do if they come across something that makes them feel uncomfortable. Within KS2 the children are taught the importance of reporting something they experience happening to themselves or another person.

Impact

The impact of Cuddington and Dinton’s computing curriculum is that children will develop a positive and confident view of computing and technology. The children will be encouraged to discuss, reflect and appreciate the impact computing has on their learning, development and well-being. Our curriculum, with its key skills and knowledge, will allow children to access a range of different digital media and ensure that they make good progress. Children will become responsible young adults when using the internet and understand the positives and negatives. This will enable them to be safer within the digital world.

Much of the subject-specific knowledge developed in our computing lessons will equip pupils with experiences and knowledge which will benefit them in secondary school, further education and future workplaces. From research methods, use of presentation and creative tools and critical thinking, our computing curriculum gives children the building blocks for the next stage of their lives.