Computing

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At Thurcroft Infant school we believe that computing is now an integral part of life and therefore learning too. We want our children to become confident, competent computer users and embrace technology. In order for the children to maintain a good health and well-being, we intend to install good computing habits and ‘netiquette’ from an early age, as well as empower them to stay safe in a virtual ever-changing modern world. We believe that computing is not only a vital skill for work, but ever increasingly, for the leisure aspect of life in a modern world and will therefore raise our children’s aspirations.

 

It is our intention to enable children to find, explore, analyse, and present information. We also focus on developing the skills necessary for children to be able to use information in an effective way.

 

Computing skills are a major factor in enabling children to be confident, creative and independent learners and it is our intention that children have the opportunity available to allow them to achieve this.

 

In KS1 the curriculum aims are to:

 

• Understand what algorithms are: how they are implemented as programs on digital devices; and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions.

• 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.

• Recognise common uses of information technology beyond school.

• Use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private’ identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies.

 

Computing is taught alongside the national curriculum and all staff in KS1 will follow the Teach Computing curriculum for Computing. The Teach Computing curriculum gives children the opportunity to create, develop and critically develop their understanding of the subject area, as well as building their confidence. Children will be taught an in-depth set of skills which are progressive in their learning.

 

The children will learn about how to stay safe online both in school and at home and identify what to do when they need help. Staying safe online is taught throughout school within the first term and the children take part in Safer Internet Day every year in February. We also cover it within our PSHE lessons throughout the school year. 

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The following links or apps may be useful for you and your child:

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Coding

Hour of Code          

Barefoot Computing

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Bee-Bot App – available on iOs & Android.

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Box Island App – available on iOs & Android.

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Scratch Jr App – available on iOs & Android.

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Maths & Literacy

TopMarks – This is  sometimes used in lessons and has some useful Maths games on.

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SumDog – All children should have unique log-ins from school in their diary.

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Phonics Play &  Phonics Bloom  both have really useful Phonics games for children to access and can be tailored to a specific phase.

 

Digital Art & Literacy

Paintz.app - a free online paint app

Pixlr - a free online photo editor

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Brushes Redux App – available on iOs only.

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PicCollage – available on iOs & Android.​

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E - Safety

National Online Safety - This useful websites provides guides on how to keep your children safe online. Wake Up Wednesdays are taken from this website each week. 

Rotherham Power– A useful website educating young people on how to stay safe online.

Think You Know   – A great site with areas for different age groups. Contains cartoons, jigsaws, text and teacher resources. It also covers all aspects of online safety.

Childnet – A great site with areas for different age groups. Contains cartoons, text and teaching resources. It also covers all aspects of online safety.

NSPCC - A useful website educating young people and parents on how to stay safe online.