Computing at Maple Infants' School
The National Curriculum requirements for Key stage 1 are that pupils are taught 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.
In the Early Years Foundation Stage:
Although Computing isn’t explicitly mentioned in the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage Framework, many links are made to skills such as computational thinking and using technology purposefully and creatively.
Our pupils also explore computing through role-play of technology in realistic scenarios (for example, shops and home corner) as well as through accessing a wide range of technology such as using a photocopier or microwave in purposeful ways. Pupils discover different uses of technology and how to use different technological devices safely and respectfully. Our pupils have access to programs such as Busythings and Purple Mash on iPads, which aim to support all areas of learning in the Early Years curriculum, as well as encouraging our younger learners to develop fundamental fine motor control when working through a program.
Our pupils also explore computing through role-play of technology in realistic scenarios (for example, shops and home corner) as well as through accessing a wide range of technology such as using a photocopier or microwave in purposeful ways. Pupils discover different uses of technology and how to use different technological devices safely and respectfully. Our pupils have access to programs such as Busythings and Purple Mash on iPads, which aim to support all areas of learning in the Early Years curriculum, as well as encouraging our younger learners to develop fundamental fine motor control when working through a program.
In our school, all pupils in KS1 have weekly classroom based computing sessions following the Purple Mash computing curriculum. Purple Mash is a program made specifically for primary school age children. The lessons are engaging for our young learners and provide appropriate challenges that build upon prior learning in order to promote independence when applying computing skills.
At the start of each term check the ‘Weekly Overview’ for a more detailed description of the computing topic/s that are covered.
In addition to Computing sessions, our pupils will often use their computing skills to access learning across other areas of the National Curriculum for meaningful uses such as research.
As a school, we highly value the importance of online safety. We protect and educate pupils in their use of technology through regular e-safety discussions as well as highlighting and improving awareness by taking part in the annual Safer Internet Day. If you would like to find out more about internet safety, some useful websites are:
http://www.kidsmart.org.uk/
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/
www.childnet.com
PLEASE ALSO VISIT OUR SAFEGUARDING PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ONLINE SAFETY
Here are some websites that we recommend to enhance your child’s fundamental computer skills:
Computing Glossary
(Here is some common vocabulary you may hear your child using at home.)
Algorithm – an unambiguous procedure or precise step-by-step guide to solve a problem or achieve a particular objective.
Debug – to detect and correct the errors in a computer program.
Digital content – any media created, edited or viewed on a computer, such as text (including the hypertext of a web page), images, sound, video (including animation), or virtual environments, and combinations of these (i.e. multimedia).
Input – data provided to a computer system, such as via a keyboard, mouse, microphone, camera or physical sensors.
Internet – the global collection of computer networks and their connections, all using shared protocols (TCP/IP) to communicate.
Output – the information produced by a computer system for its user, typically on a screen, through speakers or on a printer, but possibly though the control of motors in physical systems.
Program – a stored set of instructions encoded in a language understood by the computer that does some form of computation, processing input and/or stored data to generate output.
Repetition – a programming construct in which one or more instructions are repeated, perhaps a certain number of times, until a condition is satisfied or until the program is stopped.
Search (Search engines) – to identify data that satisfies one or more conditions, such as web pages containing supplied keywords, or files on a computer with certain properties.
Sequence – to place programming instructions in order, with each executed one after the other.
Software – computer programs, including both application software (such as office programs, web browsers, media editors and games) and the computer operating system. The term also applies to ‘apps’ running on mobile devices and to web-based services.
World Wide Web – a service provided by computers connected to the Internet (web servers), in which pages of hypertext (web pages) are transmitted to users; the pages typically include links to other web pages and may be generated by programs automatically.
As a school, we highly value the importance of online safety. We protect and educate pupils in their use of technology through regular e-safety discussions as well as highlighting and improving awareness by taking part in the annual Safer Internet Day. If you would like to find out more about internet safety, some useful websites are:
http://www.kidsmart.org.uk/
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/
www.childnet.com
PLEASE ALSO VISIT OUR SAFEGUARDING PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ONLINE SAFETY
Here are some websites that we recommend to enhance your child’s fundamental computer skills:
- Keyboard skills for beginners:
- More advanced keyboard skills:
- Using a mouse with control:
- A child-friendly search engine:
Computing Glossary
(Here is some common vocabulary you may hear your child using at home.)
Algorithm – an unambiguous procedure or precise step-by-step guide to solve a problem or achieve a particular objective.
Debug – to detect and correct the errors in a computer program.
Digital content – any media created, edited or viewed on a computer, such as text (including the hypertext of a web page), images, sound, video (including animation), or virtual environments, and combinations of these (i.e. multimedia).
Input – data provided to a computer system, such as via a keyboard, mouse, microphone, camera or physical sensors.
Internet – the global collection of computer networks and their connections, all using shared protocols (TCP/IP) to communicate.
Output – the information produced by a computer system for its user, typically on a screen, through speakers or on a printer, but possibly though the control of motors in physical systems.
Program – a stored set of instructions encoded in a language understood by the computer that does some form of computation, processing input and/or stored data to generate output.
Repetition – a programming construct in which one or more instructions are repeated, perhaps a certain number of times, until a condition is satisfied or until the program is stopped.
Search (Search engines) – to identify data that satisfies one or more conditions, such as web pages containing supplied keywords, or files on a computer with certain properties.
Sequence – to place programming instructions in order, with each executed one after the other.
Software – computer programs, including both application software (such as office programs, web browsers, media editors and games) and the computer operating system. The term also applies to ‘apps’ running on mobile devices and to web-based services.
World Wide Web – a service provided by computers connected to the Internet (web servers), in which pages of hypertext (web pages) are transmitted to users; the pages typically include links to other web pages and may be generated by programs automatically.