Computing Curriculum - Developing Young Digital Citizens

The computing curriculum at Penponds provides pupils with opportunities to build creativity whilst developing their skills in computational thinking. In an ever-changing digital world, it is important to equip pupils with the necessary skills for the future workplace as well as ensuring a sound understanding of safety online. Throughout the course of their primary computing education, each year, pupils will be taught from the three strands of the computing curriculum; computer science, information technology and digital literacy.

We aim to:

• Ensure explicit teaching of online safety through the digital literacy strand, whilst embedding online safety awareness across the curriculum
• Nurture curiosity in an ever-changing digital world  
• Develop an understanding of subject specific computing vocabulary
• Provide all children with practical experiences to apply, analyse and evaluate skills in computing across all three strands
• Celebrate mistakes in order to enhance resilience and self-motivation leading to greater well-being in every child
• Provide opportunities for cross-curricular use of ICT

We use the Teach Computing curriculum for computing at Penponds. The video below briefly explores how the curriculum works. The curriculum is progressive and prepares children for the next steps in KS3.

Online Safety Curriculum - BE SMART

Alongside the Computing curriculum, children receive a SMART Online Safety curriculum which prepares them for using technology safely at school, at home and in the wider world. 

What does S.M.A.R.T stand for?

S - SAFE: Keep safe by being careful not to give out personal information to people you are chatting with online. This means your full name, email address, phone number, home address, your photos or school name.

M - MEETING: Meeting someone you have only been in touch with online can be dangerous. How do you know that they are who they say they are? Only do so with your parents' or guardians' permission and even then only when they are with you so that they can keep you safe.

A - ACCEPTING: Accepting emails, instant messages like face-chat, or opening files, pictures or texts from people you don't know or trust can lead to problems - they may contain viruses that can make your computer sick or horrible messages that can be hurtful to you. If in doubt delete it and then find a grown up you trust and tell them.

R - RELIABLE: Information you find on the internet may not be true, or someone online may be lying about who they are. If you don't feel right about someone online always tell an adult.

T - TELL: Tell your parents, guardian or trusted grown up if someone or something makes you feel uncomfortable or worried, or if someone you know is being bullied online. Remember if you are feeling bullied you have the power to switch that computer off and walk away! Don't listen to nasty words from nasty people, believe in yourself and find the courage to tell someone who can help you.

We study one lesson per half term and at the start of every Computing lesson, we discuss online safety.

 

If you are interested in learning more about how to protect your child online please click on the CEOPS and Parent Zone link below.