We believe that technology is not just an event, it's part of everyday life and learning.
How can I keep my child safe online???
For help and tips to keep your child safe online, please have a look at these links below:
Protecting Children's Privacy Online - a Guide for Parents (comparitech.com) - Useful help and tips to stay safe online
CEOP Safety Centre - What do do if you need to report something
Our Scheme Of Work
The purpose of study, straight from the National Curriculum, is clear:
"To equip pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world."
As a school, we find the emphasis on pupils being creative incredibly inspiring. As technology moves so fast in the digital age we live in, it's important that teachers and pupils stay up-to-date with modern trends and progressions so that teaching is current and relatable.
That's why as a school we use the Purple Mash scheme of work. The scheme uses a wide range of applications to really allow pupils to be creative and learn skills that will set them up for their futures. It also encourages pupils to work collaboratively to produce quality work they can be proud of - and most importantly, enjoy!
Parents have a log in for pupils to access Purple Mash at home. They can create their own apps, practise things they have learnt is class and much more.
Intent
When planning and teaching computing at Shavington Primary School, we believe that it is an essential part of the curriculum; a subject that not only stands alone but is woven and should be an integral part of all learning. Computing, in general, is a significant part of everyone’s daily life and children should be at the forefront of new technology, with a thirst for learning what is out there. Computing within schools can therefore provide a wealth of learning opportunities and transferrable skills explicitly within the Computing lesson and across other curriculum subjects. Through the study of Computing, children will be able to develop a wide range of fundamental skills, knowledge and understanding that will actually equip them for the rest of their life. Computers and technology are such a part of everyday life that our children would be at a disadvantage would they not be exposed to a thorough and robust Computing curriculum. Children must be taught in the art form of ‘Computational Thinking’ in order to provide them essential knowledge that will enable them to participate effectively and safely in the digital world beyond our gates.
Implementation
Computing is taught for one session per week through the interactive Purple Mash scheme of work but also woven into other subjects wherever possible. Through using a range of iPads, data-loggers, digital cameras, laptops and other technology, pupils will develop their confidence and understand that computing is all around us and plays a huge part in our daily lives. During creative, practical lessons, pupils are taught computer literacy and coding skills. Pupils will learn how to stay safe online and be taught what to do if they ever feel unsafe on the internet. Internet safety is taken extremely seriously at Shavington Primary School and we invite parents to attend an e-safety meeting to educate them how to keep their children safe outside school too. We have an e-safety squad that promote online safety.
Impact
Our approach to the curriculum results in a fun, engaging, and high-quality computing education. Much of the subject-specific knowledge developed in our computing lessons equip pupils with experiences which will benefit them in secondary school, further education and future workplaces. From research methods, use of presentation and creative tools and critical thinking, computing at Shavington Primary School gives children the building blocks that enable them to pursue a wide range of interests and vocations. They will be creative, confident, competent and responsible users of technology, preparing them for life and work in today’s society.
EYFS
Although it was taken out of the curriculum as an explicit subject, in EYFS at Shavington, we provide pupils with a broad, play-based experience of Computing in a range of contexts. Pupils learn through ‘Understanding the World’, which is facilitated through indoor and outdoor exploration, where computing scenarios are based on real world experiences, such as taking photographs using iPads.
In addition to this, pupils develop language skills, confidence and control through varied opportunities with iPads and other EYFS specific technology. Learning follows the children’s interests, topics that are being taught and other opportune events that happen throughout the year, such as Safer Internet Day.
The skills the children in EYFS learn through this approach ensure they are ready to progress through the Purple Mash scheme of work.