Computing at Pocklington Junior School
A high-quality computing education equips pupils with problem-solving skills that allow them to use computational thinking and 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. Digital technology is driving extraordinary global changes on a level and speed not seen since the industrial revolution. Navigating these changes effectively and safely requires a significant understanding of digital literacy, information technology and computer science and this is what we aim to provide at Pocklington Junior School.
The speed at which computing technology has advanced and the ever-changing dynamics of the internet mean that we must equip our children with the skills to consider their use and ensure they use that technology and their understanding of it responsibly .
Computing at Pocklington Juniors is taught weekly, with some cross curricular coverage in other subject areas. Our curriculum has the National Centre for Computing Education curriculum at its core, focusing on a wide range of areas, including, but not limited to: Coding, Online-Safety and digital Literacy.
How Computing is taught at Pocklington Junior School
The computing units taught at Pocklington Junior school are based on a spiral curriculum. This means that each of the themes is revisited regularly (at least once each year), and pupils revisit each theme through a new unit that consolidates and builds on prior learning within that theme. This style of curriculum design reduces the amount of knowledge lost through forgetting, as topics are revisited yearly. It also ensures that connections are made even if different teachers are teaching the units within a theme in consecutive years. We are passionate about ensuring that Computing lessons are purposeful and progressive. To enhance our curriculum, we have the use of varied hardware such as; Microbits, Bee-bots and Lego Education materials. This is a hands-on approach to learning that helps to get children engaged and working independently.
Online safety remains at the forefront of all conversations held around Computing at Pocklington Junior School. Discrete Online-Safety lessons are taught three times per half term, as part of PSHE lessons. Planning and resources are sourced from ProjectEVOLVE, a toolkit based on the UKCIS framework “Education for a Connected World” (EFACW). This framework covers knowledge, skills, behaviours and attitudes across eight strands of our online lives.
Online Safety at Home
It is imperative that we all work together to protect our children online. The best way to help your child to be safe when using the internet and new technologies is to maintain an open dialogue and to monitor their usage:
- Stay involved in your children’s digital world.
- Know the apps and websites they use – be aware of chat options on games and apps.
- Use parental controls where possible.
- Be aware of minimum ages for social media.
- Block and report people who make them feel uncomfortable.
- Talk about the risks of internet access.
- Keep tabs on their online activity.
- Monitor messaging and interactions.
- Set rules and model healthy online behaviour.
- Keep the lines of communication open.
If you are concerned about something that your child has been exposed to online or would like further guidance on ways to protect your child online, please contact the school office for further support.
Alternatively, you can report concerning interactions directly to CEOP – Child Exploitation and Online Protection.
Common Sense Media evaluates media based on age appropriateness. They rate titles for ages 2 to 18, covering movies, games, books, podcasts, apps, websites, and TV shows
Computing at Home
Parents can play a crucial role in fostering their children’s interest in coding and helping them improve their coding skills.
- Coding Apps and Websites: Introduce your child to coding through interactive apps and websites like Scratch, Code.org, and Tynker. These platforms offer age-appropriate coding tutorials and games.
- Coding Toys: Invest in coding-related toys such as LEGO Mindstorms, Ozobot, or Botley the Coding Robot. These toys make learning to code fun and hands-on.
- Parent-Child Coding Projects: Collaborate on coding projects at home. Start with simple tasks like creating a family website or making a basic game together using block-based coding languages.
- Coding Books: Explore coding books designed for kids. Look for titles like “Hello Ruby” by Linda Liukas or the “Usborne Coding for Beginners Using Python” series.
- Coding Challenges: Set coding challenges for your child, such as solving puzzles or creating small programs. Encourage them to think logically and problem-solve.
- Museums and Science Centers: Visit places like the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, where kids can engage with interactive exhibits related to technology and coding.
- CoderDojo Workshops: CoderDojo is a global network of free, volunteer-led coding clubs for young people. Check for local chapters in your area where your child can participate in coding workshops and learn from mentors.
- Library Coding Workshops: Many libraries in the region offer coding workshops for kids. These workshops often include hands-on activities and programming challenges.
Where can I find out more?
To find out more about our curriculum, please click here to see our Wonder Learning curriculum. Click here to see our current learning journeys for this term.