Computing Curriculum

Computing and Online Safety

Our intent at Gunter Primary School is to provide a safe, inclusive environment to allow all pupils to develop their computational thinking and creativity to develop a broad, rich understanding of technology and its’ use in a diversely connected world. A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computation thinking and creativity to understand and contribute to the world around them.

Computing Curriculum Aims

Our curriculum aim is to provide a wealth of opportunities for the development of knowledge, skills and understanding to enable children to develop high aspirations and fulfil their personal aims within the subject area of computing as well as across all other areas of the curriculum through a cross-curricular approach that is broad and balanced.

Gunter Primary School’s syllabus for teaching computing is underpinned by the National Curriculum aims of:

· Understanding and applying the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science;

· Analysing problems in computational terms and solving such them;

· Evaluating and applying use of information technology analytically to solve problems;

· Being responsible, competent and creative users of information technology.

How Computing is Taught Across our School

Our computing curriculum has been arranged into five main threads of learning:

· Programming and algorithms;

· Digital audio and visual media creation and manipulation;

· Knowledge and understanding of computer systems and networks;

· Data and information systems;

· Digital literacy and e-safety.

Computing is taught discretely within a spiral curriculum and where possible cross curricular links are made with other subjects to further enhance learning opportunities for children.

Note:  Order of units for each year group may be subject to change.

Online Safety Aims

Keeping children safe in education and online safety is of paramount importance at Gunter Primary School. Children will be provided with opportunities to learn how to balance the benefits offered by technology with an awareness of the risks from their own and others’ online behaviour to be able to live knowledgeably, responsibly and safely in a digital world.

Gunter Primary School’s syllabus for teaching online safety forms part of our relationships and health education. As part of our computing curriculum, children will be taught to know and understand:

· what positive, healthy and respectful online relationships look like;

· the effects of their online actions on others;

· how to recognise and display respectful behaviour online;

· how to use technology safely, responsibly, respectfully and securely;

· where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies.

How Online Safety is Taught Across our School

We implement our online safety offering using the Project Evolve toolkit to allow for flexible and age appropriate learning. It is aligned with the UK Council for Internet Safety’s Education for a Connected World 2020 framework focuses specifically on the following eight different aspects of online education:

· Self-image and identity;

· Online relationships;

· Online reputation;

· Online bullying;

· Managing online information;

· Health, wellbeing and lifestyle;

· Privacy and security.

Online safety is taught using a whole school approach within computing lessons, phase assemblies and during relationships and health education lessons. Children are taught to develop effective strategies for staying safe and making a positive contribution online. In addition, online safety is taught as part of Safer Internet Day and a visit from the local Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) to deliver Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) lessons each year.

How Computing is Assessed in our School

Computing is assessed against the National Curriculum objectives for each key stage. The progression of skills, knowledge and understanding has been carefully mapped out across the whole computing curriculum to ensure that children learn and develop a schema sequentially where the skills, knowledge and understanding build upon prior learning to stretch and challenge learners.