The study of ICT ensures children gain a secure understanding about safe use of digital technologies in order to create, evaluate and explore the real and digital world. At The Willows we value and recognise the contribution that technology can make for the benefit of all pupils, staff, parents, governors and society. We strive to provide safe opportunities in computing to motivate, inspire and raise standards across the curriculum. We want everyone in our school community to be equipped with the digital skills to meet developing technology with confidence, enthusiasm and prepare them for a future in an ever-changing world.
As a result of our ICT and Computing curriculum, children will become creative and independent learners, who have developed a healthy relationship with technology. Our children are taught to understand that technology is an integral part of modern life and the key to the future is to harness and understand technology’s potential. Computing is a constantly evolving subject that involves solving complex problems, being able to collaborate with others, learn from mistakes and refine solutions.
Our computing curriculum is designed to be logical, with sequenced steps that will equip all children with the essential skills and knowledge they need to use technology safely and creatively. When planning we ensure that children can build on their understanding, as each new concept is taught with opportunities for children to consolidate and reapply their skills and knowledge throughout the year. Each computing unit is planned to provide new challenges and variety; to ensure we keep the child’s interest at a maximum. There is a strong emphasis on improving computing and digital vocabulary, core fundamental digital skills and computational concepts. The children have the opportunity to create their own digital learning journals that show their progression within this subject.
Here at The Willows e-safety is paramount - we strive to model and educate our children to use technology creatively, positively, responsibly and safely. Our curriculum supports the key aims of the government’s Internet Safety Strategy (Digital Literacy / UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) framework) of supporting children to stay safe and make a positive contribution online, as well as enabling teachers to develop effective strategies for understanding and handling online risks.
Our aspiration is that children are inspired to be responsible and active digital citizens who can use digital technologies to solve problems and improve their own lives in an ever evolving digital world.
To be successful, learners must:
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Understand how to be safe and responsible digital citizens who evaluate sources of information and know how and when to seek help.
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Experience a range of digital programs, technologies and devices.
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Design, create, debug and evaluate basic programs using a variety of coding languages including visual, block and text based.
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Know how computing and ICT will impact their future lives and apply some of its practical applications in real world contexts.
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Be confident using ICT and technology to create in a variety of ways across the curriculum.
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Communicate their understanding of ICT & Computing using appropriate vocabulary and subject-specific terminology
Implementation
EYFS Understanding the World
Understanding the world involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community. The frequency and range of children’s personal experiences increases their knowledge and sense of the world around them – from visiting parks, libraries and museums to meeting important members of society such as police officers, nurses and firefighters. In addition, listening to a broad selection of stories, non-fiction, rhymes and poems will foster their understanding of our culturally, socially, technologically and ecologically diverse world. As well as building important knowledge, this extends their familiarity with words that support understanding across domains. Enriching and widening children’s vocabulary will support later reading comprehension
Provision in the EYFS
We know that our pupils often have access to a range of digital devices in their home environments. Parents report that they are confident in accessing and using these and often do so independently. As a result, we are mindful that time at school should be a time for developing other knowledge and skills that are crucial for ICT and Computing but that don’t require screen time on a digital device. Therefore, throughout the Early Years at The Willows, we pride ourselves on the rich learning opportunities our youngest children are given to develop the precursory skills required for life in a digital world.
Through play and direct teaching across all areas of our EYFS, pupils will discover and learn to:
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Notice similarities and differences
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Problem solve in their play
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Give and follow instructions
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Explore how things work
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Solve puzzles and problem solve
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Find and create patterns in a variety of media
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Use simple digital devices to record and create (cameras, sound buttons etc.)
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Control digital toys (remote control, coding bug, beebots etc.)
e-Safety and parental controls
ICT Policy