Computing
Computing
The computing curriculum is covered through cross curricular work as well as discrete computing lessons. Clear progression within planning develops pupils’ skills and understanding when learning about programming, computational thinking, creativity, computer networks, communication and collaboration, productivity and online safety.
Our approach
At De Beauvoir Primary School we are committed to pupils developing their skills and understanding when computing so that they can become digitally literate users of a range of software and hardware. We also place great emphasis on ensuring children having an understanding of how to stay safe online. By doing this, we are preparing pupils for their future, a future in which technology is constantly changing and evolving.
The computing curriculum at De Beauvoir has clear progression of skill development. In each year group, pupils develop their skills in the areas of programming, computational thinking, creativity, computer networks, communication and collaboration, productivity and online safety.
Useful Links
NSPCC: useful information about how to keep your child safe online.
ThinkUKnow: useful information about how to keep your child safe online.
Times Tables Rockstars: online times tables practice website for pupils from Year 2 to Year 6.
ReadingPlus: online reading intervention for pupils in Year 3 and 6.
Online Safety Information and Covid-19
As part of the computing curriculum, all children are taught about online safety and cyberbullying.
The school has recommended websites and online activities, and we would continue encouraging children to access educational sites, such as TimesTable Rockstars and ReadingPlus. We also understand that children play online games with their peers and often spend extended time on tablets, phones, iPads and computers.
In order to continue safeguarding our children, we have been teaching them about online safety in preparation for this time. It is essential that you, as parents and carers, continue to check the content that your children are accessing and ensure they understand what to do if they come across inappropriate materials online.
Particular Apps and Websites and Parental Controls
https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/social-media-guides – Safer Internet Org offers social media guides for some of the main websites and Apps used by children and young people. They include information about reporting abuse, enabling parental controls and restricting content and disabling location settings.
It is also important to note that all of the sites and apps children are using and accessing have age restrictions of at least 13+ years old. This is to protect the company that created the app/site and offers little/no protection for users who are under the age restriction.
WhatsApp (age restriction – 16) –Please continue to monitor conversations and media shared through group messages. Children should be encouraged to share concerns or worries with you, particularly if they receive content or messages that are upsetting, inappropriate or unkind.
TikTok (age restriction – 13) – For more information about the App TikTok, watch a BBC video – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/technology-47160791/what-is-tiktok TikTok is a public domain therefore if your child uploads a video anyone can comment on it – be aware of comments.
Snapchat (age restriction – 13) – Children should be reminded that whilst Snapchat messages ‘disappear’ after seconds on the screen. However, please be aware that this site has a location setting, which can easily be disabled.
RoBlox (suggested parental supervision up to 13) – RoBlox is a selection of online games, however, not all of these are suitable for younger players. You can limit Roblox to just show a “curated” selection of games which are vetted as suitable for those under 13, but this is not enabled by default. There is a chat feature available, however safety settings need enabling and parents “have the ability to limit or disable entirely who can chat with them”, while restrictions can be put in place to ensure children can only access “curated content”, meaning games which are suitable for those under 13.
Minecraft (age restriction – 13) – There is a chat feature available, however safety settings need enabling and parents “have the ability to limit or disable entirely who can chat with them”, while restrictions can be put in place to ensure children can only access “curated content”, meaning games which are suitable for those under 13.
As children are spending more time on social media, it is increasingly important that parents are monitoring comments/images/videos that children are posting online.
https://www.internetmatters.org/ – Internet Matters is a website that offers everything from age-specific online safety checklists to guides on how to set parental controls on a range of devices. There are also a host of practical tips to help children get the most out of their digital world. In addition there is guidance about reporting inappropriate content to sites and enabling parental controls.
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/ – ThinkUKnow is a website that offers advice and activities for parents and children about staying safe online.
https://parentinfo.org/ – CEOP also offers advice for parents.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/ – The NSPCC offers advice and information for families about keeping children safe online. It also offers helplines and information for children and families about other issues.
Additional resources for parents/carers
Online safety letter information for Covid-19 – 20.3.20
Powerpoint for Nursery and Reception about staying safe online
Internet-Matters-Guide-Online-safety-for-parents-of-children-0-5-years-old
Staying Safe Online Powerpoint for KS1
Internet-Matters-Guide-Online-safety-for-parents-of-children-6-10-years-old