How can I support my child with computing?

The best way to support your child with any aspect of computing is to enjoy using technology with them and model the safe and responsible use of it. Here are five ideas:

1. Become the student

Let them show you how to use their favourite app or do something that they have learned in school.

2. Help them use technology to support their homework

If they have to practise a maths skill, help them create a how-to video demonstrating the skill. Why not create a short film based on a story they have written? Or perhaps an animation? Find some YouTube videos or play games together that support what they’re learning about in school.

3. Research with them

Research a topic they are learning about or are interested in with them. Decide together how reliable you think each website is — does the information on it appear anywhere else? Who created the website? Discuss the rankings — why does the search engine rank some at the top and some further down?

4. Communicate with family

Keep in touch with family members by composing emails together or using services like Skype to make video calls. Discuss how useful these tools can be when used responsibly.

5. Chat regularly

Ask children how they have been using technology this week, what their favourite app is etc. Make sure they feel they can come to you, should an issue arise for them.

Computing in Cookham Dean Primary

Intent

At Cookham Dean, we want all students to be able to thrive as responsible, digital citizens. Technology is everywhere and will play a pivotal part in our students' lives. Therefore, we want to model and educate our pupils on how to use technology positively and safely.

We want our students to be confident and competent using a range of technology and our broad computing curriculum includes computer science, digital literacy and online safety. We encourage staff to try and embed computing across the whole curriculum to make learning creative and accessible. We recognise that technology can allow pupils to share their learning in creative ways. We also understand the accessibility opportunities technology can provide for our SEN pupils.

By the end of Key Stage 2, we want all children to be flexible, creative, responsible and confident users of technology, who are able to choose the best tool to fulfil the task and challenge.

Implementation

In Cookham Dean we have adopted the NCCE Teach Computing Programme which we use in conjunction with Project Evolve to ensure consistency and coverage.

 Our children begin their journey with technology in Early Years, with access to iPads and BeeBots, as well as some time spent with laptops to familiarise children with a keyboard setup. Teachers facilitate children’s curiosity with challenge and modelling how to use the equipment carefully and safely.

In KS1 children continue their journey with the BeeBots, using them more precisely. They learn how to programme a BeeBot to reach a destination and begin to be able to debug when something doesn’t work out the way they imagined. They also use apps such as A.L.E.X to explore early programming using the Ipads.

With laptops they improve their mouse control, keyboard skills and learn how to log on and off a computer using their own username and password. They learn about online safety and what to do if they encounter something which makes them feel uncomfortable as well as what personal information is and why it is important we don’t share it with someone on the internet. Coding then progresses from BeeBots onto an iPad and computer-based programme using Purple Mash where children learn how to programme a variety of sprites.

In KS2, children continue this coding journey, not only making the sprites move, but interact with each other. As children progress up KS2 the coding becomes more complex and they are able to create basic games with different codes such as Scratch, Minecraft, Python and Logo.

 In terms of Coding, Upper key Stage 2 learn to control and manipulate both Crumbles and Microbits. They use both of these within both the Computing and Design Technology curriculum.

Their digital literacy skills are combined with English, science, history and geography and work is word processed and presentations are created using PowerPoint, Sway and other multimedia packages.  The children will plan and record videos and other animations. The children use MS Office and Teams based programmes as well as, the Purple Mash platform.

Children learn how to use the hardware we have in school including Ipads, laptops, Interactive whiteboards, webcams and robots.

We use Camera on IPads where they are taught how to take and manipulate pictures, showing them that what they view in the media isn’t always accurate. We use camera to teach Stop animation using Imovie.

Online safety is taught regularly at an age appropriate level and forms the basis of all Computing learning. We use Project Evolve across all year groups and have adapted the lessons to suit the needs of our children. We believe that pupil voice is a vital part when learning and we have a team of digital leaders who promote computing and online safety within the school.

The children are also taught internet safety throughout each year of KS2. ( both integrated into the lesson weekly,  and as a separate Term1 block. We also  have a a School-wide Week which corresponds to National E Safety week.) Children know how to keep themselves safe online and what to do if they come across something that makes them uncomfortable. KS2 are taught the difference between being a bystander and an upstander and the importance of reporting something they experience happening to themselves or another person, as in accordance with our Anti Bullying Policy and our Online Safety Policy.

 Upper KS2 understand the importance of media balance and appreciate that as they get older, they are more responsible for their digital footprint and how often they access a variety of forms of age-related media.

Impact

We want children to be confident users of technology, who will be able to implement their skills at school or at home. During their time at Cookham Dean and after, they will have a secure and comprehensive knowledge of technology and digital systems, enabling them to use these skills in the modern world.

We want children to know how to be responsible, safe and respectful online. They will be able to recognise the dangers that exist from the use of technology and voice their ideas about the potential risks of being online. They will be able to talk about ways to keep safe online and know what to do if they feel unsafe or see something that they do not like.

We measure the impact of our curriculum by: –

• Teacher assessments made against the planned outcomes using the NCCE ‘I can’ statements for each area of Computing.
• Children’s self-assessment
• Pupil discussion and feedback (pupil voice) (skills and knowledge).
• Reflective staff feedback (teacher voice).
• Monitoring by the Computing Subject Leader during learning walks.
• Opportunities for dialogue between teachers.
• Monitoring of children’s work– kept on server and  Photo evidence and images of practical learning.

 What we learn in Computing lessons in Cookham Dean:

Year 1
Our children will enjoy learning:-

Year 2

Our children will be learning:-

Year 3

Our children will be learning:-

Year 4

Our children will be learning:-

Year 5

Our children will be learning:-

Year 6

Our children will be learning:-

E Safety at Cookham Dean

E-safety is an integral part of children’s education in today’s digital world and is embedded in their learning at school. We also want to help our parents and children improve their own understanding of e-safety issues so they can learn to use the internet and all digital media in a safe and secure way.

You can download the latest DofE advice for parents on cyberbullying here

You can access the DofE online parents support website called Parent Info here

At Home

As a parent you'll know how important the internet is to children - they use it to learn, play, socialise and express themselves. It's a highly creative place of amazing opportunities. But the technology children use every day can seem a bit daunting and you might worry about the risks your child can face online - such as bullying, contact from strangers or the possibility of them seeing illegal or inappropriate content.

You can download a simple checklist  below that may help you start to protect your children online and decrease the risks they face. Or you can engage with your children

• Ask your children to tell you about the sites they like to visit and what they enjoy doing online.
• Ask them about how they stay safe online. What tips do they have for you, and where did they learn them? What is OK and not OK to share?
• Ask them if they know where to go for help, where to find the safety advice, privacy settings and how to report or block on the services they use.
• Encourage them to help. Perhaps they can show you how to do something better online or they might have a friend who would benefit from their help and support.
• Think about how you use the internet as a family. What could you do to get more out of the internet together and further enjoy your lives online

Parent Resources

To try and help parents with the fast moving and changing world of internet and social media we've suggested a few internet sites on the bottom  of this page which are fantastic resources, They contain information on different types of social media and how to help keep children safe.

Childnet also produce a leaflet for parents which you can download here. .

At School

As part of your child’s curriculum and the development of ICT skills, we provide access to the internet only in teacher supervised lessons. We strongly believe that the use of the web and email is hugely worthwhile and an essential tool for children as they grow up in the modern world. But because there are always concerns about children having access to undesirable materials, we have taken positive steps to deal with this risk in school. Our school internet access provider operates a filtering system that restricts access to inappropriate materials.

Mix Up Coding Afternoon.

KS2 enjoyed an afternoon using 2CODEDIY on the Ipads. 

The children loved working across the age range, developing their games.

Computing At Cookham Dean

Computing enriches, modernises and supports all aspects of our school’s curriculum.

Children’s learning is made more rewarding and inspirational by using ICT.  We believe children’s confidence and progress in their computing skills is essential for them to maximise their learning in the curriculum and to prepare them for the challenge of a rapidly developing and changing technological world.

News:

 We are currently having a new server built to enable the children to have their own space for saved work and to access a full range of software more efficiently. As  a result of this each child will be issued with a new log in and password, please try to help your child to remember these.