Our Intent for Computing at Christ the King

Our children must be prepared for the rapidly changing world we live in. Some of the jobs that our children may be applying for in the future may not even exist yet, but we are certain that technology will play a pivotal role within these jobs. This is a challenge that we aim to prepare our children for with our computing curriculum. Where possible, we aim to incorporate computing with other subjects throughout the curriculum, such as maths, literacy, science, history, geography and design and technology, where relevant. Most importantly though, we acknowledge that these technological skills must mainly be taught in full computing lessons, which the children participate in each week by progressing through the Purple Mash scheme of learning. Each strand of the computing curriculum is important for our children to access and become competent in, and so this year specific scheme of learning is integral in developing these skills as the children move up the school.

Computer science is integral for our children to understand and use programming effectively so that later on in school they are able to debug and use programs that achieve specific goals.

Information technology is built upon this foundation; we aim for our children to build and develop a good understanding of computer networks, including the internet which plays such a prominent role in most of their lives. This will enable the children to use information technology effectively.

Digital literacy is essential for our children to know how to use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly. We strive to make our children aware of how their digital footprint could affect their prospects in the future when applying for jobs and that when we use technology we should be implementing our Gospel Virtues into our behaviour as we would outside of technological communication.

The Implementation for Computing at Christ the King

The three areas of the computing curriculum are covered both discretely and cross-curricular.  In Key Stage 1, children are given the experience of using technology and are taught the basics of the curriculum. They are introduced to algorithms through coding and given ample opportunities to debug and create programs through the Purple Mash scheme as well as practical activities within other subjects, developing their problem solving skills. They are taught about how to use computers safely and responsibly, as well as how a computer network can help and support their learning in other subjects.

In Key Stage 2, the development continues as the children design and debug programs with increasing purposes through the year-specific Purple Mash lessons and activities within other subjects. The children use computer networks and programs to research and present some of their own work to others and they build their understanding of digital literacy so that they have strategies to use when faced with an online safety issue, for example; online bullying through gaming and social media.

In regards to EYFS, there are lots of opportunities of the children to develop their knowledge and experience of technology. Children are given lessons on how to use technological equipment safely and how they can be used to find information or access age-appropriate programs. They are then given access to use said equipment within the classroom, for example laptops, tablets, interactive whiteboards and bee bots. Purple Mash also offer an EYFS version called Mini-Mash which is used where relevant within class.

The Impact of Computing at Christ the King

Having spoken to the children at Christ the King, it is clear that they enjoy computing. We aim to preserve this enthusiasm. Our children are becoming more confident to use technology to aid their learning, both at school and at home, particularly after the periods of home-learning during lockdown. The children’s understanding of digital literacy is developing well and is very prominent when discussing how to use technology with the children during pupil interviews and class discussions. The children are using technology in school and at home more often, both in computing and in other subjects, and this has helped to develop their knowledge of how to use it responsibly. There is a clear progression of skills over the Key Stages demonstrated within each year group’s individual assessment goals. The more computing is taught within a class, the more competent the children become in all three strands of the computing curriculum. Moving forward, we as a school need to gather more resources for each class, such as laptops, and ensure that computing is implemented into other subjects where possible, to enable this impact to continue.

By the end of Year 6, children will have developed their Information Technology skills in using technology to create content which is shaped and inspired by their own choices and interests. They will also deepen their understanding of Computer Science and how computers work in order to create said content. Lastly, the children will now how to use technology safely and respectfully to be good digital citizens, in keeping with the ethos of our school community that they have been accustomed to over their time at Christ the King.

SMSVC and British values in Computing at Christ the King School

We aim to develop SMSVC through Computing by:

Spiritual

• Encouraging the pupils to wonder at the power of the digital age e.g. use of the internet
• Understand the advantages and limitations of ICT
• Use the internet as a gateway to big life issues
• Use ICT to enhance their faith

Moral

• Getting the pupils to explore and understand the moral issues surrounding the use of data
• Encourage pupils to consider the benefits and potential dangers of the internet – e.g. campaigns for charities and injustice as a force for good.
• Pupils to understand Cyber bullying as a danger.
• Pupils to Consider the vision and moral purpose of those involved in developing the web

Social

• Use links through digital media services with other schools and communities
• Highlight with pupils and parents ways to stay safe when using on line services and social media
• Ensure pupils are prepared to work with technology to forge new relationships
• Discuss the impact of ICT on the ways people communicate

Vocations

• Pupils are encouraged to consider in Computing and Appreciation of the World the many vocations in which they can use both their computing knowledge and skills.

Cultural

• Pupils to explore human achievements and creativity in relation to worldwide communications
• Encouraging pupils to develop a sense of awe and wonder at human ingenuity.

British Values in Computing at Christ the King

British values and the opportunity to use them are embedded in the Computing Curriculum.

You will see Democracy and mutual respect as the pupils learn to understand the views of others and their right to challenge them and how that might have an impact on the internet. Our pupils are taught the rules for using computers safely, and to know the rules of social media in order to keep themselves and others safe. The pupils will learn that we are now more connected with people across the world thanks to the WWW.

• George, Year 6: "I enjoy the challenges and learning about new things. You get to play fun games at the same time as learning."
• Hugo, Year 5: "We get to learn about how to keep safe online which is important especially with all the technology we use to play games on."
• Blaize, Year 4: "We get to do loads of fun things, and if you are waiting for the next instruction there is lots to still play and change on the activities while you wait."
• Evie, Year 3: "It is fun, we like going on the computers and getting to make our own characters and backgrounds using the different programs on Purple Mash."
• Calvin, Year 2: "I like having my own log in, it is safe."

Computing After School Club

During the Spring 1 term, Mr Cooke led a Computing after school club for children who wished to further develop their computing skills. The club has focused on creating programs and interactive games using the resources found on both Purple Mash and Code.org. The children have been applying the skills learned during school lesson time and have also been encouraged to follow their own interests and ideas when creating their content.
As a school, we are committed to further developing our pupils' talents and interests. If you feel your child is showing a talent or keen interest in computing, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Cooke who can signpost you to internal and external platforms, groups and events for your child.

Safer Internet Day

On Tuesday February 6th 2024, it was Safer Internet Day. Like many schools around the country, Christ the King used this day as to continue to inform the children about the significance of using the internet safely and responsibly, which is a matter of ever-growing importance in our technology-filled world. This year, the celebrations and learning were based around the theme ‘Inspiring change? Making a difference, managing influence and navigating change online’. This includes covering:

• Young people’s perspective on new and emerging technology
• Using the internet to make change for the better
• The changes young people want to see online
• The things that can influence and change the way young people think, feel and act online and offline Coordinated in the UK by the UK Safer Internet Centre, the celebration sees thousands of organisations get involved to promote the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people.