Intent
At Melton it is our intention that all children gain the knowledge and skills necessary to develop a passion and responsible approach to using technology and information and communication tools in a way that enhances their lives.
At the heart of computing is computer science. All children learn how both software and hardware in computer systems works and use the skills of computational thinking to programme a range of on screen and real world devices in different programming languages to perform specific tasks. They will develop critical thinking skills and the ability to recognise and fix problems in a logical way (debug). This knowledge can be beneficially applied to any problem and future task, be it coding or in other challenges as active participants in a digital world and the future workplace.
We develop all learners into digitally literate uses of technology: children will understand the challenges that face them now and become equipped for what may change in the future in relation to new media, online social systems and the risks to safety when using technology on the internet and off. By knowing what the dangers are they will make positive choices in order to avoid harm and difficulty.
Implementation
Our computing curriculum contains three aspects of learning of which many strong links are made to maths, science and design and technology.
- Computer Science is the core of the computing curriculum in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work and how to apply these skills through use of logic, abstraction, writing algorithms, analysing, evaluating and debugging.
- Information Technology provides the opportunity to use new technologies to be innovative and creative in how learners present and communicate themselves across a range of visual, auditory and text based platforms.
- Digital Literacy (Internet Safety) gives children the knowledge and skills to manage risk and make effective choices when using digital and online tools at a level which is suitable for their age.
Across school we have PC’s in each classroom and an ICT suite of more than 20 PC’s as well as additional mobile units for use in learning. Every class also has access to an iPad. Each device is loaded with relevant applications to support learning and internet access is readily available in a filtered child-friendly form. Children are given responsibility for logins and passwords to encourage good practice for their futures.
The computing curriculum is delivered in ‘unplugged’ and ‘connected’ lessons in which children are able to explore theory through tactile resources before accessing learning in more abstract digital systems. Lessons are supported with the use of Barefoot Computing, Switched on Computing, Computing at School and the Raspberry Pi Foundation. We use a range of ICT including Clever Touch touchscreen boards, digital cameras, webcams, data loggers, Beebots and CrumbleBots. Our primary packages for digital programming are Scratch, Scratch Junior and Kodu. Computing lessons make links to class topics and enhance of subjects so learning is always interesting and relevant to the experiences that children are having.
To supplement curriculum learning, a team of year 5 and 6 children called the Melton Online Safety Team (MOST) meet regularly to plan and deliver internet safety based competitions, launched the child-led assemblies, to help maintain the profile of this importance aspect of learning.
Impact
- MOST has delivered competition based learning upon safe searching, being a SMART user of technology and understanding technology- terminology. They have been responsible for the production of posters and rule sets visible around school, spreading the message of how to keep safe online.
- Key Stage 2 learners have produced games to explore Viking settlements using scratch, programmed animations retelling the events of the Battle of Britain.
- Key Stage 1 have explored the precise nature of instruction giving in their development of algorithms when drawing and also their use of beebots to travel along a path on a map of Melton.
- Key Stage 2 have accessed multiple events at BT Innovation to enrich their use of robotics and computational thinking. In 2019 Year 6 students have won competitions for programming virtual ‘rescue bot’ and also come second in a line tracking crumble bot racing event- a huge high for the children and proud moment for the school.