Computing

At Bloxwich Academy, we aim to prepare our children for working world with fundamental computing knowledge and skills. Technology is rapidly changing the world and our children need to be equipped with the skills that allows them to strive and succeed.

Long Term Plan
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Intent

At Bloxwich Academy, we aim to prepare our children for working world with fundamental computing knowledge and skills. Technology is rapidly changing the world and our children need to be equipped with the skills that allows them to strive and succeed. We want children to know more, remember more and understand more in computing so that they leave the academy digitally literate. It is our intention that children have every opportunity available to be confident, creative and independent learners.

Our computing curriculum focuses on a progression of skills in digital literacy, computer science, information technology and online safety. Therefore, we ensure that children become competent in safely using, as well as understanding, digital technology. The curriculum has been tailored made through continuous discussions with colleagues at the secondary site. This allows for a curriculum that stretches from early years to sixth form.

It is our intention to enable children to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information. We believe ‘computational thinking’ is a key-skill that children must be taught if they are to be able to participate effectively and safely in this digital world. Not only do we want them to be digitally literate and competent end-users of technology but through our computer science lessons, we want them to develop creativity, resilience and problem-solving/critical thinking skills. 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 robust computing curriculum.

Overview

Computing at Bloxwich Academy is taught alongside PSHE. Children will be taught this lesson once a week for 1 hour. Children will be taught a selected PSHE topic and an accompanying computing skill. They will then apply this learning by completing a task on the computer. This could be a piece of digital artwork, a leaflet, a word document, blog post, PowerPoint and much more.

How the children access the work:

Tablets

Laptops

Children in KS2 have access to Learning by Questions – a new, exciting initiative at Bloxwich Academy. This programme is a fun way for the children to learn many different subjects: Maths, SPaG, Reading, Geography, History and Science. Children use tablets to answer a series of questions and try to beat their previous scores.

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Digital Leaders

A Digital Leader is a pupil who is part of a Digital Leaders Team within Bloxwich Academy, whose role it is to support the use and to further the development of Computing at Bloxwich. Interested children will need to apply for the position and interviews will be held before appointing Digital Leaders from Years 4, 5 and 6. The team will then meet regularly at Computing Club. Pupils are then given training and support to develop specific areas of ICT expertise. Once a pupil gains an area of expertise, staff may then request the use of the Digital Leader for a variety of different roles.

Typically, things that may be performed by a Digital Leader could be:

  • Help staff get computing equipment ready and organised (charging laptops and iPads)
  • Deliver and help teachers deliver online safety curriculum to own class and other classes
  • Help produce and deliver assemblies about online safety and acceptable use of equipment, devices and programs (games)
  • Demonstrate how to use technology in the classroom
  • Demonstrate how to use everyday programs (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Publisher) and easy to use website to other students and staff
  • Demonstrate how to use apps and websites to enhance teaching and learning (Google Classroom, different quiz software and use of Class Dojo)
  • Demonstrate how to use AR in the classroom
  • Organise and judge competitions
  • Try out and review new apps, websites and programs which could be used in lessons
  • Help organise Safer Internet Day
  • Interview and recruit new digital leaders

Progression Skills

The Primary National Curriculum for Computing can be split into 3 strands:

Digital Literacy

Pupils learn to use technology to express themselves and develop their ideas.

Information Technology

Pupils learn to use technology to create programs, systems and a range of content.

Computer Science

Pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work and how to put this knowledge to use through programming.

Useful Links

Timestable Rockstars: https://play.ttrockstars.com/

Times Table Practice. See your child’s teacher for their login.

 

Think you know: https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents%20

How to talk to your child about online safety.

 

Scratch: https://scratch.mit.edu

A coding website for your child to explore programming.

Homework

All children in KS2 are expected to play Times Tables Rockstars each week to build up their multiplication fluency. Children are aware of their usernames and passwords; however, if you are experiencing any issues, please see your child’s teacher.