Our Computing Coordinator is Mr L. Plumley

Why do we teach what we teach? (Our intent)

Children at St Mary’s are encouraged to Learn, Grow, Achieve and Flourish which is supported throughout by a computing curriculum that inspires imagination and develops perseverance.

The use of computers and computer systems is an integral part of the National Curriculum and knowing how they work is a key life skill. In an increasingly digital world there now exists a wealth of software, tools and technologies that can be used to communicate, collaborate, express ideas and create digital content.

At St Mary’s, we recognise that children are entitled to a broad and balanced computing education with a structured, progressive, approach to the learning of how computer systems work, the use of IT and the skills necessary to become digitally literate and participate fully in the modern world.

The school believes that IT, computer science and digital literacy:

• are essential life skills necessary to fully participate in the modern digital world.

• allows children to become creators of digital content rather than simply consumers of it.

• provides access to a rich and varied source of information and content.

• communicates and presents information in new ways, which helps children understand, access and use it more readily.

• can motivate and enthuse children.

• offers opportunities for communication and collaboration through group working.

• has the flexibility to meet the individual needs and abilities of each child.

The school’s aims are to:

• Provide a broad, balanced, challenging and enjoyable curriculum for all children.

• Develop children’s computational thinking skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

• Meet the requirements of the national curriculum programmes of study for Computing at Key Stage 1 and 2.

• To respond to new developments in technology.

• To equip children with the confidence and skills to use digital tools and technologies throughout their lives.

• To enhance and enrich learning in other areas of the curriculum using IT and computing.

• To develop the understanding of how to use computers and digital tools safely and responsibly.

How do we teach it? (Our implementation)

Computing Lessons

At St Mary’s, we use Teach Computing, a scheme of work compiled by the National Centre for Computing Education and funded by the DfE to support lesson delivery and ensure progression of computing skills.  Teach Computing is a progressive computing curriculum that allows children to become confident technology users in a technology advanced world.

Teaching Online Safety

At St Mary’s, online safety - an important part of digital literacy - is taught across the school every term using projectevolve.co.uk which is linked to the framework Education for a Connected World written by the UK Council for Internet Safety. The framework is also taught through PSHE lessons across the school.

Project Evolve Units (www.projectevolve.co.uk)

At the start of every new unit, the children spend a lesson looking at Online Safety.

The 8 strands covered in Education for a Connected World are:

• Self-image and identity
• Online relationships
• Online reputation
• Online bullying
• Managing online information
• Health, well-being and lifestyle
• Privacy and security
• Copyright and ownership

Keeping St Mary’s Staff and Pupils Safe Online

The school has in place a monitoring and filtering system which monitors all school devices when used inside school or remotely. The system used is SENSO – a robust filtering and monitoring system that both blocks access to unsuitable sites and content and alerts Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and DSL team to potential violations through inappropriate searches. 

Our DSL reviews weekly violation logs which highlight potential inappropriate use of any school owned devices. The purpose of this is to prevent access to harmful and inappropriate content by all users and safeguard against potential threats and ensure compliance with the school’s Acceptable Use of ICT Policy.

All staff and children must adhere to St Mary’s Computer Safety and Behaviour Rules when using a school device inside school or remotely.

What is the difference that this makes? (Our impact)

By the end of their time at St Mary’s children have a solid understanding of word processing and presentation skills as well as being able to write clear and concise procedures for coding.

Children will

• Develop detailed knowledge and skills across the Computing curriculum which they can use and enhance through St Mary’s rich curriculum and, as a result, achieve well.

• Revisit concepts and link ideas together.

• Access and learn from high quality programs so children will have a real love of learning.

• Have access to a range of resources. (Laptops, Galaxy Tablets, Data loggers, micro:bits, internet access,)

• Develop a sense of awe and wonder, where children are happy to engage with the technological world.

Links to websites that will support and deepen children's learning of computing: