Computing
Computing
A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems
Click here for the National Curriculum for Computing: Computing National curriculum
Computing at Livingstone
At Livingstone we recognise the importance of computing. The skills they learn in computing are applicable across the curriculum and encourage them to be problem solvers, to experiment, hypothesise and test. The computing curriculum is broken up into three strands:
- Computer science in which children learn about information and computation and learn to progamme or code. This will not all take place in front of the screen each year group will complete at least one unplugged computational thinking activity.
- Creative use of information technology in which pupils create content using a variety of programmes such as word processing, databases, e-books, videos, PowerPoint or other types of presentations.
- Digital literacy in which pupils are equipped to live in the digital world and mange themselves online, keeping themselves safe and treating others with respect.
Computing science is taught discretely in a block but the other two strands are taught in a cross curricular way interwoven into the themes of each year group.The school invests in both resources and training to keep all staff up to date and able to deliver high quality Computing lessons for all ages. We celebrate Safer Internet Day each year in February and the children always impress with their knowledge of online safety and their vision for a better safer internet.
Curriculum Overview
Online Safety
Creating a safe Computing learning environment includes three main elements at this school:
- An effective range of technological tools.
- Policies and procedures, with clear roles and responsibilities.
- A comprehensive Online-Safety education programme for pupils, staff and parents.
Online-Safety is recognised as an essential aspect of strategic leadership in this school and the headteacher, with the support of governors, aims to embed safe practices into the culture of the school. The headteacher ensures that the Policy is implemented and compliance with the Policy monitored. Online Safety is centre stage every year during Safer Internet Day, but it is taught througout the year and embedded in all our practice. We have termly assemblies and offer parent meetings and workshops regularly.
Useful links
TUK is great for the latest information on the sites you like to visit, mobiles and new technology. Find out what’s good, what’s not and what you can do about it. If you look after young people there’s an area for you too – with resources you can use in the classroom or at home. Most importantly, there’s also a place which anyone can use to report if they feel uncomfortable or worried about someone they are chatting to online.
Internet Matters is another useful site for parents and professionals alike. It is a place to find information and safety settings for your child’s devices and apps, along with guidance to tackle online issues they may face.
Support to maintain a healthy balance when it comes to screen time as well as advice on which apps are appropriate as well as fun.
UK Safer Internet Centre is a hub of resources which are useful throughout the year not just on Safer Internet Day in February. Here you can find many resources, stories and videos which are a great starting point for discussion with your child. Talking to children and listening to what interests them in their online world is a great way to keep commuincation going and to keep them safe.