Intent

At Oldfield Park Junior School, we value Computing as an important part of the children’s entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum, while also being aware that the ability to use technology effectively is a vital life skill. Therefore, we want to model and educate our pupils on how to use technology positively, responsibly and safely. We want our pupils to be creators as well as consumers, and our broad curriculum encompassing computer science, information technology and digital literacy reflects this.

Discrete Computing lessons provide the children with the opportunities to develop and extend skills in a creative way, alongside opportunities to apply skills in various digital contexts. Beyond teaching computing discreetly, we also demonstrate the cross-curricular nature of this learning domain to enable them to see the possibilities when applying their skills.

Implementation

Our curriculum for Computing is adapted from the ‘Teach Computing’ Scheme of Work and covers all aspects of the National Curriculum. This scheme was chosen as it has been created by subject experts using the latest pedagogical research. It provides an innovative progression framework where computing content has been organised into interconnected networks called learning graphs.

The children are taught Computing every term, either on a weekly basis or as part of a Computing project week. At OPJS, our three key principles of computing learning are:

1) Digital Literacy

2) Information Technology

3) Computer Science

All classes have 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 to keep this element of Computing as a priority.

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. The children are also given the opportunity to gain extra experience through attending lunchtime extra-curricular clubs and acting as Digital Leaders. Furthermore, we are committed to ensuring that children have access to up-to-date resources, both software and hardware.

Impact

Our children enjoy and value the Computing curriculum we deliver, they understand why they are doing things, not just how. Children discuss, reflect and appreciate the impact computing has on their learning, development and well-being.

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.

Formative assessment takes place throughout each lesson and teachers adjust planning accordingly to meet the needs of their class. Children’s progress and attainment is discussed with the subject lead in staff meetings and the teaching of Computing is monitored by the subject leader through lesson observations and scrutiny of work.

Computing Curriculum at OPJS

Computing-Curriculum-KS1-to-Year-6-1.pdf

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/

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