Computing
At St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Primary School, we use Dimensions for our Computing scheme of work.
This provides a high-quality computing education which equips pupils to use creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, design and technology as well as other subjects across the curriculum due to the cross curricular learning themes. It provides insights into both natural and artificial systems.
Our curriculum aims
We teach a curriculum that enables children to become effective users of technology which:
- Encourages pupils to use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs.
- Develops pupils’ skills in using technology to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content.
- Allows pupils to actively participate in a rapidly changing technological world.
- Teaches pupils how to flourish in a connected world, developing their sensitivity to others online, treating them with respect, and showing respect for their privacy.
- Gives pupils rapid access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of people, communities and cultures, for example through the use of the internet and email.
- Helps pupils to express themselves and develop their ideas through information and communication technology, at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.
- Makes it possible for pupils to explore real-world situations that would be too difficult, too expensive or too dangerous to create in real life.
- Teaches pupils how to keep safe online, and where to go for help and support.
- Encourages pupils to develop a richer digital literacy experience, as they document what they know and learn for others through blog posts, audio recordings etc.
- Builds pupils’ confidence in, and enthusiasm for, using technology in the wider world, as they present to one another and upload their work for others to see.
- Nurtures pupils’ collaboration skills, as they work together and support one another in their learning.
- Develops their critical thinking and analytical skills.
Internet Safety
St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Primary School takes internet safety extremely seriously. We have an Online Safety Policy that provides guidance for teachers and children about how to use the internet safely as well as additional policies such as: Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy; Keeping Children Safe in Education 2020; Behaviour Policy; Remote Learning Policy.
Each year group participates in lessons on E-safety and children understand how to stay safe when using technology. This is conducted via unit specific sessions on Dimensions and also through the use of Google’s ‘Be an Internet Legend’ scheme of work and a range of resources and lessons from UK Safer Internet Centre.
We also take part in national initiatives which promote E-Safety e.g. Safer Internet Day.