At Denmead Infant School we believe that every child has the right to a curriculum that supports them in achieving their very best. We provide the children with high quality and in depth computing lessons that have deep links with Mathematics, Science, and Design and Technology, and other areas of the curriculum, enabling them to make connections in their learning.
Our curriculum design allows children to develop their subject knowledge, skills and understanding whilst promoting their spiritual, moral, social, cultural and mental development which prepares them for future opportunities and experiences.
We understand the role that technology plays in everyday life and that it is an integral part of today’s society. We know technology is growing exponentially and we want to ensure the children become digitally literate. To be able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world. It is important to install resilience and encourage the children to become life-long learners so they can adapt and grow with the advancements.
We aim to empower the children with what they need to keep safe in a digital world whilst fulfilling their potential. During their Computing lessons they learn how to be safe online, create and debug simple programs, use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs, use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content and recognise common uses of information technology beyond school.
At Denmead Infant School we teach discrete Computing skills as well as accessing ICT through all areas of the curriculum and to support project work. In Year R we follow our scheme of work and allow for opportunities in continuous and enhanced provision as well as guided sessions. In Key Stage 1, we follow the Programmes of Study in the National Curriculum
Within the first half term of being in a new year group the children cover E-Safety through songs and stories. This is then re-enforced throughout the year using posters in rooms and reference to e-safety in each unit where appropriate. Within our regular safeguarding newsletters and through parent/carer workshops families are reminded of the importance of keeping their children safe online. Online safety tips are also included in the general newsletters and within the E-Safety section on the school website. E-safety is woven into everyday learning opportunities across the curriculum.
Computing covers E-Safety, Computer Science, Digital Literacy and Information Technology. Currently we use the PurpleMash software to support this progression of skills. The learning is organised so that there is a clear outcome and a range of opportunities to acquire new knowledge and skills are planned throughout each unit. Children will be taught a skill and then provided with the opportunity to practise and embed this in both discrete Computing sessions and in independent learning time.
Many of the areas of the curriculum are supported by Computing and ICT. For example, children use historical websites to find out knowledge about their history projects , they use Google Earth to look up places in Geography, program the Bee-bots to plan a route around London and experience lessons on statistics and music.
We use a variety of ICT equipment including Laptops, i-pads and Bee-bots. Our software includes BusyThings, Phonics Play and PurpleMash as well as many apps.
In order to ensure equity and high quality outcomes for children, our approaches to learning are sensitive to the needs of them all, especially those who are vulnerable. We use a range of flexible and responsive teaching strategies, alongside effective assessment to ensure all children receive the support and challenge they need to be successful.
At Denmead Infant School our provision for Computing encourages and allows our children to use the ever changing world of technology safely and to become digitally literate.
