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Computing - Mrs Samways

Reporting online abuse

Follow this link to find helpful videos for suporting understanding of online issues, with sections for both adults and children. You will also find on this page a link enabling you to report instances of online abuse. 

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

As well as being an important curriculum skill, Computing is also a vital life-skill in modern society. The development of Computing is rapidly changing both in homes and throughout the community. Its impact on the lives of individuals continues to grow and it is essential that our children can take advantage of its opportunities and understand its effects. Therefore, it is important that OPJS pupils gain the appropriate skills, knowledge and understanding to have the confidence and capability to use Computing throughout their lives.

Intent

At Oldfield Park Junior School, we value Computing as an important part of the children’s entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum, with our intention being that children are taught the skills and knowledge that enable them to become competent and independent users and creators within this area of learning. Discrete Computing lessons provide the children with the opportunities to develop and extend skills in a creative way. We continue to provide all children with the resources they need to access the curriculum and demonstrate the cross-curricular nature of this learning domain to enable them to see the possibilities open to them when applying their skills. Following the recent changes in light of COVID-19, we are ensuring that pupils are given opportunities to consolidate their prior knowledge within the Computing curriculum whilst moving their learning forwards.

Implementation

The teaching and implementation of the Computing Curriculum at Oldfield Park Junior School is based on the National Curriculum and supported by a skills-based approach. The children are taught Computing as part of their termly topic work, developing discrete skills to then apply to a topic-based piece of work. All classes are taught as discrete lessons at the start of each term on how to stay safe online at a level relevant to their year group and online uses. In addition, online safety discussions happen throughout each weekly lesson in order to keep this element of Computing as a priority. The children are also given the opportunity to gain extra experience through attending lunchtime extra-curricular clubs, and acting as Digital Leaders. 

 At OPJS our three key principles of learning are:

1) Digital Literacy

2) Information Technology

3) Computer Science

Areas of learning for pupils at OPJS include how to design, write and debug programs using repetition and sequence, understanding computer networks including how search engines use algorithms to rank results and using a variety of software and devices to create content and to analyse data. Our pupils understand the opportunities the internet offers for communication and collaborating, knowing how to use it safely and who can help with any concerns they have about content or contact.

As a school we are excited to be implementing the use of Purple Mash across all four year groups; a platform which continue to allow us to revisit prior learning and skills which may have been taught throughout the 2019 lockdown. The use of Purple Mash across the school will enable staff to continue to provide high-quality lessons with progression through the year groups. Children are also able to are able to access their Purple Mash accounts at home to continue to develop their skills independently if they so wish. The children's learning is further enhanced with whole school focus weeks such as Coding Week (each child completing an ‘Hour of Code’) and Safer Internet Day. Furthermore, we are committed to ensuring that children have access to up-to-date resources, both software and hardware.

Impact 

As part of a multi-academy trust we are fortunate to be part of an excellent support network, enabling us to share resources and experiences with colleagues, other Computing leads and specialist teachers. Formative assessment takes place throughout each lesson and teachers adjust planning accordingly to meet the needs of their class; this is more pertinent than ever as we work through our Covid-19 catch-up period to ‘fill the gaps’. Through moderation of planning, lessons, interventions and work, we can be sure that progress is made across all year groups. If progress is not being made, support is immediate and steps provided to ensure all pupils are set to achieve and make progress. Children’s progress and attainment is discussed with the subject lead in staff meetings and the multi-academy working parties allow for opportunities to share ideas on how to combat challenges being faced in both teaching and learning.  The teaching of Computing is monitored by the subject leader through lesson observations, scrutiny of books.

Through the delivery of an inspiring and rich Computing curriculum, children are enabled to not only make progress through skills acquired but also to express themselves creatively using a range of software. In this way they are able to feel a sense of individuality and freedom, as they work with increasing responsibility and independence. 

As children develop their skills across the Computing curriculum, it is clear to see the positive impact that Computing has on both children's well-being and confidence in learning, as their access to the online world opens up. Children feel passionate about developing their interests in Computing and are encouraged to have high aspirations within their further Computing education and future careers.

The children’s work is celebrated throughout our school displays and during open evenings.

Social Media Age Restrictions

 

Do you know what age children need to be to access social media? 

Social-Media-Age-Restrictions.pdf

Many parents across the country don't know whether their children are old enough to be using social networks.

Shockingly, 1 in 5 parents think that there are no age requirements at all for social media.

Some sites can be a dangerous place for younger children, potentially exposing them to bullying, inappropriate content or grooming. But they can also provide important support networks for younger people.

For further information and advice visit  : https://www.net-aware.org.uk/networks/?order=title

Subject Documents Date  
Computing curriculum map 2019 2020 18 Dec 2019 Download
Computing curriculum map 2019 20201 18 Dec 2019 Download
Computing curriculum 18 Dec 2019 Download
Computing intent implementation impact statement 18 Dec 2019 Download
Computing policy 2019 18 Dec 2019 Download
Opjs computing vocabulary 18 Dec 2019 Download
Opjs online safety policy sept 2019 18 Dec 2019 Download
Pitda factsheet difficult conversations 18 Dec 2019 Download
Parents conversation starters sid15 18 Dec 2019 Download
Supporting young people online 18 Dec 2019 Download
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