Computing at Whitestone

Intent

All pupils at Whitestone Infant School 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. At Whitestone Infant School, the core of computing is Computer Science in which pupils are introduced to a wide range of technology, including Computers, iPads and interactive whiteboards, allowing them to continually practice and improve the skills they learn.

Implementation

We teach a curriculum that enables children to become effective users of technology who can:

In Key Stage 1 the children will learn to understand and apply the essential principles of computer science, including logic, algorithms and data representation. The curriculum includes teaching the children what algorithms are; how they are implemented as programs on digital devices; and that programs execute by following precise instructions. They will be taught to create and debug simple programs and use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs. They will be shown how to use a range of technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content as well as recognise common uses of information technology beyond school. They will be taught to use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies.

Impact:

This ensures they become digitally literate for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world. They will be equipped, not only with the skills and knowledge to use technology effectively and for their own benefit, but more importantly – safely.

EYFS apps approved by the Department for Education:

• Lingumi (For children aged 2-5): Sets of learning games, speech recognition games and video-based games to help with a child’s grammar and getting them speaking their first words early on.

• Kaligo (For children aged 3-5): The first digital handwriting exercise book using a stylus and tablet, built using AI and co-created with teachers, occupational therapists and neuroscientists.

• Phonics Hero (For school-aged children): Over 850 fun, varied and motivating games take a child step-by-step through the 44 sounds, the reading and spelling of words, and how to conquer sentences.

• Teach Your Monster to Read (For school-aged children): Covers the first two years of learning to read, from matching letters and sounds to enjoying little books, designed in collaboration with leading academics.

• Navigo Game (For school-aged children): Focuses on developing skills that underpin reading, including phonics, letters and sounds, designed by UCL Institute of Education and Fish in a Bottle.

• Fonetti (For school-aged children): The world’s first ‘Listening Bookshop’ interacting with children by giving visual cues in real-time as they read aloud and highlighting where the most support is needed.

 Online Learning Resources

 Bug Club - https://www.activelearnprimary.co.uk/

 All ages and all subjects - Home - BBC Bitesize

 E-books for all ages - Free eBook library | Oxford Owl from Oxford University Press

 Use the ‘Free Games’ - PhonicsPlay - Resources

 Maths Games - Hit the Button - Quick fire maths practise for 6-11 year olds (topmarks.co.uk)

 Full of facts and interesting information - DK Find Out! | Fun Facts for Kids on Animals, Earth, History and more!

 Catch up on age appropriate news stories - Home - CBBC Newsround

Kid safe search engine - Kiddle Facts for Kids

 A fun quiz for every subject - Over 3,000 Enjoyable Quizzes for Revision of School Subjects (educationquizzes.com)

 Scratch Coding - Scratch - Imagine, Program, Share (mit.edu)

 Digital painting - PaintZ