Computing and Internet Safety

Computing and Online Safety Lead: Mrs K Betteridge

Knowledge Organisers:

These documents will inform you of the topics children are learning in each year group, for each half term. They include key information and vocabulary.

Our Vision

In Key Stage One and Two we follow the National Curriculum for Computing.

Technology has become an integral part of every day life. At Moons Moat First School we aim to provide a high-quality computing education which will equip pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. We will prepare our children for a future in an environment which is shaped by technology. We see technology as enriching learning opportunities and therefore endeavor to provide computing opportunities throughout each area of the curriculum, to provide a stimulus for learning.
The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.

Our intention is to enable children to:
-Become creative, logical, critical thinkers who reason systematically and work collaboratively. 
-Analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems.
-Appreciate the relevance of digital literacy (including online safety) in our society and that they see it as an essential tool for learning, communication, finding information and for controlling and understanding their environment. As well as understanding the power and benefits of accessing the internet, children will be aware of risks whilst working and communicating online. They will be alert to the validity of information and will have acquired skills to check on its reliability. Children will know how to keep themselves safe online and the procedures to take if they feel threatened or concerned. They will understand how to protect their identity by keeping passwords and personal information safe and will recognise that permission must be sought to share information about themselves or others. They will have an awareness of their digital footprint and the implications it can have for their future.
-To explore their attitudes towards computing and its value to them. For example, to learn about issues of security, confidentiality and accuracy. As children‛s confidence grows they will be able to make informed  choices about their use of information technology.

Our children are taught specific skills in computing lessons on a weekly basis, as well as lessons integrated into other curriculum subjects to enhance their learning experiences. Children are initially taught a new skill or concept  as a whole class and then given opportunities to practise and apply new knowledge in pairs. The curriculum offers equity for all groups and is is intended that all children access it. Through continuous monitoring, any gaps in the children's understanding, knowledge and skills are identified and needs are then met by smaller group intervention and targeted support. Long, medium and short step by step short term planning is fully mapped to the National Curriculum for Computing at Key Stage 1 and 2.

The computing curriculum covers computer science, information technology and digital literacy including online safety. Children develop a range of skills progressively from the Foundation Stage to Year 4 in coding and programming, the use of multimedia, data handling, understanding networking and hardware and communication. 

Children leave Year 4 equipped with an enjoyment, resilience and understanding of how technology can be used effectively to enhance now and how it will continue to develop in the future. Learning opportunities use growth mindset and problem solving approaches that enable children to develop persistence and confidence in new situation and unfamiliar contexts.

Children have a developing understanding of key vocabulary and terminology which will enable them to continue to progress in their knowledge of computing when moving through the rest of Key Stage 2.

Children will have gained the knowledge and confidence to question why things have happened and know how they can develop their ideas. Where appropriate the teaching of computing occurs through a topic based approach, particularly in KS1. Therefore children make links with how computing fits with other subject areas and how skills and knowledge can be transferred. 

Online Safety:

Moons Moat First School take internet safety extremely seriously. We have an Online Policy that provides guidance for teachers and children about how to use the internet safely. Staff have regular internet safety training as part of Safeguarding and are informed of updates from CEOP (Child Exploitation Online Protection), ChildNet and The National Online Safety website.
We ensure our children are taught the importance of safe internet use during computing lessons but also in our PSHE curriculum. In every year group, online safety is a key focus of the computing curriculum and children are taught a different aspect of internet safety (in accordance with the UK Council for Internet Safety), suitable for their age. This is also firmly covered and revisited in other lessons. We promote the importance of using technology safely and respectfully by ensuring all of our children have access to internet safety posters and messages displayed around school. We educate parents by inviting them to an internet safety presentation, where we highlight the risks to children through social media, gaming, mobile phones, webcams and age appropriate visual content amongst other current issues. In addition, we send out newsletters to inform parents of potential risks which have come to our attention or have been high profile in the media, with signposts for support should they require it. Children from the school council meet regularly to discuss current issues and to share their experiences of technology at home. This helps inform teachers of what children are accessing at home and how to tailor the online safety teaching to the needs of the children.

Click here to read our internet safety page with links and support.

Click here to read our Computing Policy

Click here to read our Anti Cyber Bullying Policy

Click here to read our Internet Safety Policy

Click here to read about knowledge and skills progression in Computing

Click here to read the vocabulary progression document 

Click here to find out how Computing is taught in the Foundation Stage