COMPUTING AT TANWORTH-IN-ARDEN

INTENT

Through our computing curriculum we aim to give our pupils the life-skills that will enable them to embrace and utilise new technology in a socially responsible and safe way.

• We want our pupils to be able to operate in the 21st century workplace and we want them to know the career opportunities that will be open to them if they study computing. 
• We want children to become autonomous, independent users of computing technologies, gaining confidence and enjoyment from their activities.
• We want the use of technology to support learning across the entire curriculum and to ensure that our curriculum is accessible to every child.
• Not only do we want them to be digitally literate and competent users of technology but through our computer science lessons we want them to develop creativity, resilience and problem-solving skills by learning how to be ‘computational thinkers’. 
• We want our pupils to have a breadth of experience to develop their understanding of themselves as individuals within their community but also as members of a wider global community and as responsible digital citizens.

IMPLEMENTATION:

 Mrs Bamford is leader of our IT and Computing, however all class teachers teach pupils in both Key Stages on learning computer skills and coverage of the Computing National Curriculum including online safety.

Computing comprises of three strands, which will be delivered to ensure a balanced curriculum:
 

• Computer science - the study of the foundational principles and practices of computation and computational thinking, and their application in the design and development of computer systems
• IT - the creative and productive use and application of computer systems, hardware and software
• Digital Literacy - the ability of learners to use, express themselves and develop their ideas through information and communication technology with regard to safeguarding and online etiquette.

During their time at Tanworth-in-Arden pupils will have opportunities to undertake research work, document production, produce slide shows, presentations and artwork from the workstations. Pupils have opportunities to use a range if IT including desk tops, I-Pads, laptops and Mac books. 

Internet Safety training is of paramount importance, with Mrs Bamford being the Online Safety Leader. Within the scheme 'Purple Mash', every year group has one unit of learning on online safety. Online safety is not only taught discretely through computing but additionally during PSHE lessons and whole school sessions and as part of other subjects where pupils might use technology, such as for email, blogging and online research. More information about online safety and the E-safety Committee can be found under the children tab.