Computing

Intent 

At Goldfield Infants’ and Nursery School, we believe that computing is an integral part of modern-day life and therefore we aim to equip children with the knowledge and skills required to thrive in a rapidly changing technological world. By the time they leave our school, children will have gained key knowledge and skills in the three main areas of the computing curriculum: computer science (programming and understanding how digital systems work), information technology (using computer systems to store, retrieve and send information) and digital literacy (evaluating digital content and using technology safely and respectfully). Our intention is that Computing also supports children’s creativity and cross curricular learning to engage children and enrich their experiences in school.

Implementation 

Computing lessons are taught following the Purple Mash online scheme. This ensures that all key areas of the computing curriculum are taught and revisited during a child's primary school years. This allows our children to build on their learning year after year, building on their vocabulary and to also practice skills where they may not be as confident and likewise, progress their knowledge and skills even further. Each child has their own Purple Mash log-in to access both in school and at home. We hope that due to regularly being exposed to ‘computational thinking’ in how to approach devices in a logical way, children will be able to apply their understanding to any technology that they encounter either now or in their lives after Goldfield.

We have a set of Chromebooks which are used for computing lessons. These are portable and are used by children across the whole school. We encourage the learning and use of computing in a cross-curricular way; ensuring it is not just taught as a discrete subject. This includes typing up stories and work in English, researching in topic and science, mathematical games and phonics interventions. To support our Maths learning, we use NumBots in Reception and KS1. The Year 2 children also have access to Times Table Rock Stars.

In Year 2, children have weekly explicit computing lessons using the Chromebooks. Year 1 cover the curriculum in half termly blocks. In EYFS, children are able to independently access a range of technology during child-initiated learning. Classes have access to iPads and tablets to allow an opportunity to use a range of devices and programs for many purposes, such as animation, film making and research. The children use Beebots to develop their coding skills.

We strive to keep children safe online and provide them with the knowledge and tools to do so. We will also empower parents, carers and the wider community with up to date information regarding keeping children safe online. Internet safety is a key part of the computing curriculum at Goldfield. We participate in Safer Internet Day each year. Due to the age of our children, we portray this important message through stories and songs. We introduce the children to Buddy, the Internet Safety Dog and Smartie the Penguin. We recognise the unique contribution that e-learning makes to the motivation and effectiveness of learners in our school and the role that we play in preparing the children for their future by improving their knowledge and understanding of how technology is an aid to learning.

Impact 

Computing plays a huge part in ensuring the curriculum we deliver to our children is engaging and current. We ensure that the teaching and learning of computing enables all of our pupils to continue to learn and grow in this digital world we live in and provides them with the skills and knowledge to do this well and safely. We try to link skills taught to real-life situations to ensure that our pupils can see the importance and necessity of computing in our ever-growing, technological world. This is important in a society where technologies and trends are rapidly evolving.

The successful teaching and use of computing are evident in the enthusiasm our children have for the use of technology to aid and enhance their learning and also in the work produced with the use of computers and ensuring we do this by giving our children the opportunities to apply their computational skills.

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