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Computing

All pupils across the LEAP Federation have the right to have rich, deep learning experiences that balance all the aspects of computing. With technology playing such a significant role in society today, we believe ‘Computational thinking’ is a skill children must be taught if they are to be able to participate effectively and safely in this digital world. A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems.

Within the LEAP Federation, the core of computing is Computer Science in which pupils are introduced to a wide range of technology, including laptops, iPads and interactive whiteboards, allowing them to continually practice and improve the skills they learn.

This ensures they become digitally literate so that they are able to express themselves and develop their ideas through information and computer technology– at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.

LEAP takes internet safety extremely seriously. (See below for further guidance on how to keep your child safe online.) Every year group participates in lessons on e-safety and children understand how to stay safe when using technology.

National Curriculum

The National Curriculum provides a structure and progression of skills and knowledge for the computing curriculum which is followed throughout the school. Our units of work are linked to the National Curriculum Programme of Study to ensure a broad and balanced curriculum overview.

National Curriculum Computing Programme of Study

Curriculum overview

At LEAP, computing is taught as part of our block curriculum and includes the three key elements of computing:

  • Computer Science
  • Information Technology
  • Digital Literacy

Each year group has x2 2-week focuses on computing. In addition, there is a whole school focus during Internet Safety Week and the whole school participates in Hour of Code. We follow the Purple Mash scheme of work which is planned to demonstrate progression. It is designed to monitor impact effectively and builds on prior learning to develop a clear and secure progression of skills and knowledge. If children are keeping up with the curriculum, they are deemed to be making good or better progress. In addition, we measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:

  • A reflection on standards achieved against the planned outcomes.
  • Assessing children’s understanding and application of the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation.
  • Assessing whether a child can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems.
  • Enabling opportunities for children to evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.
  • Assessing whether a child is responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology
  • Developing lots of opportunities for pupil discussions about their learning

Cultural Capital

At LEAP we understand the value of high-quality learning in new and innovative technologies and aim to offer our children the best of what is available. Children will have the opportunity to use a range of computing devices such as i-pads, laptops and programmable robots. We have also invested in a range of software and websites that nourish and promote pupil’s learning, not only in computing, but across the curriculum. This includes, Mathletics, myON digital library, Scratch, Language Angels and Charanga.

We are also enthusiastic about providing children with real-life contexts to practise and develop their computational skills. For instance, years 4- 6 pupils at Mandeville worked in collaboration with ‘A Little Learning’ to make a short animation project. They had to apply filming and editing skills, work with digital sound and learn a range of software programmes to create their own short film. You can follow the link here to watch the final project:

'Unboxed' Animation Project

Fundamental British Values

  • Mutual respect – Online Safety / social media responsibilities and behaviours / respect to each other online
  • Tolerance – Using computing to access cultural diversity, through research projects, E-safety and
  • Individual liberty – Navigate and use computers independently, researching projects across the whole curriculum
  • Democracy – School council using computing resources to produce posters and documents to teach how to successfully navigate voting system within the school.
  • Rule of Law – Children demonstrate how to be safe online, using search engines safely and demonstrating how to follow school rules regarding E-safety.

Rich, Relevant and Representative: The LEAP Empowerment Curriculum

As part of LEAP’s vision to ensure a rich, relevant and representative curriculum, our computing curriculum is constantly reviewed to ensure that children have opportunities to see themselves represented in the ICT world. Whether that be through the programmes they use including the use of avatars or through pioneers in computing from ethnic minorities, such as Kimberly Bryant, founder of ‘Black Girls Code’ in 2011.

Awards

We are currently working towards:

  • Active ICT Mark Award
  • 360 degrees online safety accreditation

Policies

Computing at Home

What is Purple Mash?

Purple Mash is a comprehensive suite of online learning tools and content, designed to be used by Primary aged children in the classroom and at home.

Find out more here: https://2simple.com/parents

What should you do first?

To begin with, it’s a good idea to log in to Purple Mash with your child.

We suggest the following:

  • -Familiarising yourself with the menu icons.
  • -Looking at any set tasks that have been given to your child (2Dos)
  • -Finding out about Class Blogs and Display Boards accessible via the Sharing Icon
  • -Exploring the grammar, maths and spelling activities which match to the National Curriculum
  • -Play one of many fun, educational collaborative games such as 2Race
  • -Delve into the Science area and find out about all the areas of Science it covers
  • -Investigate the Topics area to support securing their knowledge of the wider curriculum
  • -Tour the Computing area trying out some of the tools such as 2Code, 2Go and Logo
  • -Get creative in the Tools section, from making an animation to building a printable 3D model
  • -Dive into Serial Mash (an online library of books)
  • -Learn through play in Mini Mash (For children aged 3 to 5).

How can you get more involved?

As a parent, you can find out about your child’s learning on Purple Mash and support them beyond the classroom by registering with Parent Portal.

Parent Portal allows you to easily see the learning your child has been doing on Purple Mash, including any comments on work from teachers, homework (2Dos), rewards and so much more. You will never miss out on being informed of your child’s learning as Parent Portal sends all registered users a weekly digest email.

You can start using Parent Portal today by following the 3 simple steps below:-

Step 1: Enter URL on your child’s login card.

Step 2: Click ‘Register as a parent’.

Step 3: Enter the ‘Parent Code’ on your child’s login card and follow additional instructions.

Login cards can be obtained from the school office

To keep up to date on staying safe online please look at the following sites

Understanding social networking sites and how to keep your children safe.

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/

Common sense media

Great advice to help keep your children safe online.

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

Think U Know

Safety information for parents.

https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/

Safer Internet

Keep up to date with any e-safety issues.

https://www.childnet.com/

ChildNet