Computing

Computing at Stoneydelph
Technology is quickly embedding itself in every aspect of our children's lives. Children have access to technology and information like no other generation before them. At Stoneydelph, we recognise that as a result of this, it is paramount that children are equipped with the skills needed to ensure that they can operate safely and with knowledge about how the world of computers, smart technologies, AI and day-to-day technology works. We are also aware that the future will contain job markets, technological interfaces and software advancements that cannot be foreseen or even imagined at the present time. With all of this in mind, we are committed to delivering a fully embedded computing curriculum to students starting at Nursery and reception age. 
 
Spring Term - Computing HUB Timetable and learning intent. 
 
Each class has been assigned a timetabled slot in the HUB where children are expected to use the facilities to improve and enhance children's understanding of Information Technology and Digital Literacy. In this time, for the first half term until March, children across all year groups will be growing more familiar with Presentation software. For children in years 3 and 4, they will be exploring how to use Microsoft Publisher, which children in year 6 will be hoping to move onto looking at and understanding web design using Google Sites. KS2 children are also looking at improving the familiarity with a keyboard as they continue to learn how to touch type. KS1 children will be improving their familiarity with the Computing HUB more fully this term  after they were introduced to it in the autumn. They will continue to work towards understanding how to navigate around a computer using mouse control and fine motor skills as well as understanding the correct ways to turn on, log on and then shut down the resources. Reception have also been given slots to enjoy and become familiar with the Computing HUB this half term and will starting to fit these into their curriculum as the children become more settled in as the term goes on.
 
Monday
Tuesday - Robins, Woodpeckers & Magpies (Yr 3 & 4)
Wednesday - Hedgehogs & Foxes (Yr 1 & 2)
Thursday - Chestnuts (Yr 6) & Oaks (Yr 5)
Friday
 
Please see our progressions grids below for what your child should be expecting to learn over the course of working with word processing software this half term.  Children looked at word processing software in the autumn term and will be looking at data handling software in the summer term.  
 
 
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Upcoming Event - Safer Internet Day 2023

On Tuesday 7th February, children at Stoneydelph will once again be joining in with Safer Internet Day, which focuses on how to keep yourselves safe and aware in an ever increasingly digital world.

The day is coordinated in the UK by UK Safer Internet Centre and this year the theme is 'Want to talk about it? making space for conversations about life online.'

Using the internet safely and positively is a key message that we promote in Stoneydelph Primary School, and celebrating Safer Internet Day is a great opportunity for us to re-emphasise the online safety messages we deliver throughout the year.

To find out more information on this, please use the website listed below:

 saferinternet.org.uk/sid-parents

Please also keep your eyes out for online safety updates, guides and information which are posted to the school story on Class Dojo.

If you have any concerns or questions about keeping your child safe online, please do get in touch with the school through your child’s class teacher, Mrs Parsons or myself (Mrs Phillips) as the Computing Subject lead in school. 

 

 
 
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Prime VR - Virtual Reality Worships 
 
It was really exiting to have Prime VR back in with us on Wednesday 2nd November to deliver workshops to help introduce upcoming topics for all the children in key stage 2.  The workshops were a great hit with everyone who took part and we will be looking forward to hopefully having them back in school next academic year.
 
This year, the children in years 3 and 4 took part in a workshop on volcanos which was really exciting ahead of their upcoming unit on rocks, relics and rumbles. In Year 5 and 6, children were taken on a virtual trip to see the delights of China. Whilst there they looked at the busy and vibrant city of Shanghai as well as Beijing in which they looked at the ancient Forbidden City. To aid with their upcoming history unit, they also went on to look at the Terracotta Army as well as the Great Wall of China before then exploring the geography of the region including the peak of Mount Everest and The National Parks and great Lakes.
 
This year, unlike last year, the workshops that the children took part in also included moving 360 degree imagery and sound. This really added an extra dimension to the experience which really added to the value. 
 
Thank you for supporting us in being able to provide these exciting opportunities for our children. They really were enjoyed by all of the children that took part and we couldn't do it without your contributions. This year 95.2% of all children in KS2 took part with those missing out largely in part to illness absence. Fingers crossed you'll be well enough to join in next time. 
 
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Our Computing Curriculum Intent (updated Autumn 2022)

In line with the 2014 national Curriculum for Computing, our aim is to provide a high-quality computing education which equips children to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. The curriculum will teach children key ‘powerful knowledge’ about how computers and computer systems work and how they are designed and programmed, which will enable children to become informed and active participants in our increasingly digital society. Learners will have the opportunity to gain an understanding of computational systems of all kinds, whether or not they include computers. 

We intend that by the time children leave Stoneydelph Primary School, they will have gained key knowledge and skills in the three main areas of the computing curriculum: computer science (programming and understanding how digital system work); information technology (using computer systems to store, retrieve and send information) and; digital literacy (evaluating digital content and using technology safely and respectfully). The objectives within each strand support the development of learning across the key stages, ensuring a solid foundation for future learning and beyond. Our aim is that every Stoneydelph child leaves us with sufficient knowledge to acquire knowledge and to challenge and reassess claims within computing itself.

Our Computing Curriculum Implementation (updated Autumn 2022)

At Stoneydelph Primary School, the computing curriculum is delivered through a combination of a bespoke cross-curricular scheme of work as well as through weekly discrete computing lessons which together provide coverage in line with the National Curriculum. This bespoke package of learning facilitates progression across all key stages within the three strands of computing: digital literacy, information technology and computer science.

Each week, children from KS1 upwards have an hours discrete computing learning, which move children through a scheme to develop and practise their typing and mouse control skills as well as developing specific skills in the three key areas of information technology: word processing, presentation software and data handling. Computing projects are being introduced to school this year to more discreetly teach, develop and embed other areas of the computing curriculum from further information technology to computer science in line with a curriculum supported by Teach Computing and STEM Learning and will ensure that systematic progression is being made by each and every child.

Children have access to a wide range of hardware, software and resources which aid them in the acquisition of key computational skills and knowledge. Wider curriculum links and opportunities for the safe use of digital systems are considered in the wider curriculum planning of each year group. The importance of online safety is shown through regular teaching, school displays and through taking part in both anti-bullying week with a focus on cyber bullying and the annual Safer Internet Day activities. All children now have access to weekly digital literacy lessons using the Computing HUB or other computing resources. 

Our Computing Curriculum Impact (updated Autumn 2022)

Our approach to the curriculum results in a fun, engaging and high-quality computing education for all children. 

Computing has a high profile at our school and as a result children become confident users of technology, who can use it to accomplish a wide variety of goals both in school and at home. Our children are confident using a wide range of hardware and software and are diligent learners who value online safety and respect when communicating with one another. 

Children develop secure and comprehensive knowledge of the implications of technology and digital systems and how these are important in a society where technologies and trends are rapidly evolving. They are equally as able to apply the British values of democracy, tolerance, mutual respect, rule of law and liberty when using digital systems. 

Computing Curriculum Coverage Intentions & Overviews
This academic year, we have been making a shift towards using project based discrete computing units rather than focusing on embedding the curriculum into our wider creative learning. While we want to continue to demonstrate multiple uses for computing across a range of subjects this shift has been made based on lots of research which has taken place over the last few years as well as through listening to the desires of he children here at Stoneydelph as part of their pupil voice.  It has been constructed with partnership with Teach Computing who have developed a fully sequential and progressive programme. We have tried out best to merge this with our curriculum. There are still a few gaps here and there but please bear with us as we continue to review the computing curriculum, make changes and improve standards across all year groups. 
New Reception Laptops - 2023
Look at our new laptop keys for the children in reception to use. 
 
Through Conversation with Miss Fox, we realised that children in reception found it hard to use the laptops because the keys are all written in upper case letter. After a little bit of hunting, I managed to locate these lower case key stickers and these have now been put in place on a number of devices for use in reception. 
 
Ask your children if they've been able to use them yet and what they think of them. I'm sure that by the end of the year, they will know all of the uppercase letters and will be starting to make use of the Computing HUB but until then, this is a very exciting opportunity for them. 
Now Press Play Experiences
Now Press Play is an award-winning immersive audio resource which helps bring our exciting curriculum to life through the use of stories, sound and movement. It experiences work through the use of wireless remote headphones which guide children through subject related content in a fully immersive and safe environment. There are a huge range of constantly updating experiences which enable children to gain skills in the full curriculum from maths and literacy to geography, science and history. Furthermore, there are units which aid in the teaching of PHSE and give children scenarios to consider regarding online safety, bullying and making healthy lifestyle choices. 
 
Ask you children about their most recent experiences in school. Now Press Play has recently been re-planned to ensure that the children are using this excellent resource frequently. Have a look at our intention documents for both EYFS, KS1 and KS2 below. 
For more information on Now Press Play, please also have a look at their website to see more about their experiences, their ethos and the research and case studies which go into their development and even listen to extracts from a few that are available. 
Our Computing HUB!
2021 was an exciting year for computing at Stoneydelph. We were able to repurpose a disused space within school and commission it into a purposely designed ICT and Computing HUB for our children from all key stages to enjoy. The room includes a wide range of brand new resources, including laptops, keyboards, headphones, cameras, iPads, webcams and microphones. The room has also been set up to include a full wall green screen for our children to make exciting use of. 
 
Children use this space each week as part of their timetabled digital literacy lesson to explore their typing and mouse skills and to learn about information technology. The staff members also have flexibility in booking the Computing HUB to facilitate other computing or curriculum learning around school. 
 
It was a really exciting development and investment in our school and our children's futures.