Our Computing curriculum at Elmhurst is designed to equip our pupils with the necessary skills to be successful in life. At the heart of our Computing delivery, pupils are given the opportunity to develop their communication and problem solving skills which are transferable skills in the professional world. These skills are developed through a range of learning outcomes, such as talking stories, photo editing, pupil surveys and coding projects. Pupils are encouraged to work collaboratively with their peers, a skill which is sought after in any professional climate. Our Computing curriculum at Elmhurst is designed to equip our pupils with the necessary skills to be successful in life. At the heart of our Computing delivery, pupils are given the opportunity to develop their communication and problem solving skills which are transferable skills in the professional world. These skills are developed through a range of learning outcomes, such as talking stories, photo editing, pupil surveys and coding projects. Pupils are encouraged to work collaboratively with their peers, a skill which is sought after in any professional climate.
We currently use Rising Star’s Switched on Computing scheme of work for Computing, however some of these units have been adapted so that there are logical, cross-curricular links to the learning already taking place in each year group. Our Computing lessons are sequenced so that they build upon pupils’ prior knowledge and skills. For example, our coding units in Scratch are progressively more challenging as new elements of the programme are introduced each year. At each stage, pupils are encouraged to think computationally about their algorithms and are encouraged to test their ideas so that they develop independence of thought. Our younger pupils in Key Stage 1 are encouraged from an early age to develop their problem solving skills by attending Code Club.
Pupils with special educational needs are supported through differentiated planning and outcomes. The Computing curriculum is designed so that all pupils can access the learning at an appropriate level for them. Recording devices, programmable tools and Ipads offer the chance for all of our pupils to take an active role in their learning.
We expose our pupils to a wide range of software at Elmhurst, such as Flip Grid, Google Forms, Google Docs, Publisher, Scratch and Pixlr. We have invested in Ipads which pupils use to enhance their learning in lessons across the curriculum. More recently, we have heavily invested in a set of Chromebooks so that our pupils continue to work with modern devices and become more informed and efficient users of technology. Staff desktops have been updated so that teachers can continue to deliver high quality lessons to pupils. Each classroom has been equipped with a webcam which has enabled us to communicate remotely with one another during assemblies, shared story times and periods of home learning.
Our staff and pupils are engaged in rich online safety discussions each term, focusing on age-related issues that our pupils will be able to relate to. These involve topics such as in-app purchases, trusted adults, cyber bullying, screen time and digital footprints. These discussions and the activities around these lessons help to raise a generation of responsible and competent users of technology. These key messages are reinforced during our annual Safer Internet Day celebration. Please refer to the whole school Online Safety curriculum map for an outline of our online safety delivery at Elmhurst.
Each year, staff are trained in online safety, which raises awareness about the potential dangers of the internet on pupil wellbeing. Scratch training is delivered to staff to help develop confidence in teaching this aspect of Computing. Training on how to use educational apps on the Ipads has been delivered to staff and is updated each year so that pupils benefit from being exposed to a range of content and learning opportunities.
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