My name is Hollie Ward, I am our school’s Computing subject Lead.

Being an educator during lockdown opened my eyes to a new way of teaching, forcing me to be more innovative with the way I use computing. I dabble in coding and learning Python, enjoy creating digital art and am fascinated by the technological future of our world. Technology is developing rapidly, moulding the way we experience the world socially and professionally. Computing at Malcolm Sargent is taught to equip our children with these evolving changes.

Pupils at our school are given every opportunity to develop computing skills and knowledge which help them to become confident, independent and literate in computing, including being taught how to keep themselves and others safe online. In addition, technology is interwoven into the curriculum and an integral part of all learning.

                

    Implementation

At Malcolm Sargent our pupils are explicitly taught Computing through three strands of the Computing Curriculum-

• Computer science
• Digital literacy
• Information Technology
• E-safety (interwoven throughout the computing curriculum)

Computer science is how computers and networks work, it also includes computer programming, such as making a game and how to search safely online (E-Safety)

Digital literacy is to do with communication and collaboration, including the safe and responsible use of technology (E-safety).

Information Technology is the use of computing for functional purposes such as collecting and presenting information. This allows children to create, edit, analyse, save and retrieve purposeful digital content, using search engines safely and responsibly (E-safety).

   

At Malcolm Sargent we follow the Rising Stars Scheme ‘Switched on Computing’, allowing for the explicit teaching of the National Curriculum.

 Computing Curriculum - Long Term Plan

 

                       

 Computing plays an important role across all curriculum areas, enhancing children’s learning in all subjects. Children are taught skills in how to use Computing as a tool to support and further their own learning in all curriculum areas. It is used to enhance children’s handling and analysis of data and numbers in for example mathematics, science and geography, using spreadsheets.  Skills are taught to support children’s development and manipulation of written content across a range of subjects, to design writing for a range of purposes that combines text with images, or manipulation of structures through a word processor or publishing software.

 

           

  

In Design Technology, Computing is used to develop pupil’s skills in coding, controlling Crumble Buggies and CAD (Computer Aided Design). Children also use Computing in the expressive (Music and Art) to enhance their learning. Information Technology is used to support children’s research and information retrieval from the world wide web and through databases, and used to communicate via email, blogs and instant messaging.

With access to 30 desktop computers, several iPads per class and timetabled access to 30 additional iPads, the Computing curriculum is easily accessible.

E-Safety & Acceptable Use Procedures

An integral part of children’s understanding of Computing is E-Safety. At Malcolm Sargent we aim for our pupils to understand how to conduct themselves appropriately, safely and responsibly online through-

• Explicit teaching of Internet safety in Computing lessons
• Our PSHE scheme Jigsaw
• Teaching and embodying of British Values
• Regular meetings with our E-safety pupil representatives and staff
• Assemblies

Further information can be found in our Child Protection and Safeguarding policy. Please click on the link below to go to the website's policies page where this document can be found.

Malcolm Sargent Primary School - Policies