Computing Champion 

Mrs Baird is our subject champion for Computing at Lane End. She is passionate about this area of the curriculum and has a clear vision of how it will support our children to become highly-skilled in the ever-evolving digital world in which we live. Mrs Baird has thought carefully about the design of the Lane End Computing curriculum that covers all aspects of the National Curriculum and meets the needs of our learners.

We have a growing resource bank which includes class sets of iPads for Years 4, 5 and 6 as well as 60 other iPads, over 40 laptops, Green Screen Technology, Crumble programming kit, and a class set of Bee Bots programmable toys. Each classroom is also equipped with a class iPad, visualiser and an interactive whiteboard which are all used daily to support teaching and learning in all year groups.

At Lane End, the majority of the Computing curriculum is delivered through our new project-based learning materials created by Educational Consultant Lee Parkinson (Mr P ICT). Children build and apply their skills in meaningful, cross-curricular contexts, creating real ‘products’ through exciting, purposeful projects, which develop their computational thinking and supports children in progressively becoming more digitally literate. The skills coverage has been carefully prepared to offer a broad and balanced computing curriculum. The whole school overview can be found at the bottom of the page.

During their learning journey at Lane End, children will create a wide range of digital content which develops their skills in word processing, designing and creating e-books, games, videos, multi-scene animations and write computer programs. From Reception, children begin to develop their IT skills through light box play, recording sounds and taking photos of their environment. By the end of Key Stage 1, children create a range of presentations using a range of carefully chosen Apps. They also further develop their skills in creating digital artwork and interactive images. Our aim is that by the end of Key Stage 1 children have become more competent in word processing and basic skills in IT, to ensure they use technology safely and responsibly. As children enter Key Stage 2 they will also work with data, build web pages, create presentations, animations and short movies. Children also build their own web pages! By the end of their Primary learning journey, children will have used a wide range of Apps and web-based tools to create their own exciting and original digital work. Our aim is that our learners will leave Lane End Primary School fully equipped to become future heroes in this ever-evolving world of Technology!

Computer Science sits alongside programming in that before children begin to create programs, they must first learn how digital technology works. From as young as four years old, children will learn how to identify and describe technology that they experience around them, both in school and beyond. As they move through school they will begin to understand how computer networks and the Internet works, and how the main components of a computer help them to complete different jobs. Key Stage 2 children will learn how a computer stores data, work with various input/output devices and how the internet, robots and simulations are all ‘programmed’ for specific purposes.
Children are introduced to BeeBots and Early Programming toys in Reception. As they move through Key Stage 1, they will develop their understanding of algorithms and learn about code through 'unplugged' programming activities and by working with fun and motivating Apps such as Scratch Jr. In Key Stage 2, children begin to learn to use more advanced code such as Scratch, and do so through purposeful projects such as creating their own platform games. Children in Key Stage 2 are also introduced to Physical Computing and use Crumble Kit programming and software where they experiment with creating different circuits to include switches, buzzers, LED lights and motors. By the end of their learning journey here at Lane End, children will become competent programmers, having accessed a range of software, hardware and web-based tools throughout each key stage.

Our curriculum ensures that children understand the importance in being safe, respectful and responsible online. Each half - term there is a new Online Safety focus that children continue to revisit. The teachers use National Online Safety plans and resources to help us meet the statutory online safety statutory duties outlined in Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) September 2021. Our curriculum equips our children with effective strategies to build a positive digital footprint by learning about important elements such as: Self-image and identify, online relationships and reputation and online bullying. As well as Online Safety being a vital and regularly taught strand of our computing curriculum, our children will also learn about Online Safety as part of their PSHE curriculum.

Mrs Baird supports all our teachers to deliver the Lane End Computing Curriculum by building confidence and enthusiasm for this ever-changing subject - so that all our children gain vital computing skills and knowledge in an engaging and interesting way. Through each project, children are explicitly taught Computing vocabulary and their meanings, which helps children to develop a deeper understanding of words and contextualises their learning.

Mrs Baird is committed to ensuring our children build on their computing knowledge across the whole curriculum and use their skills to research, plan and present their learning in a number of creative ways linked to our topics. Just a few examples of this are creating an interactive image about the Great Fire of London, and re-telling a traditional tale using shadow puppets.

Below is the Whole School Overview of our Lane End Computing curriculum. There are also a few examples of the Guides on a Page that Mrs Baird has produced to support teachers and learners in Computing. Here you will see the importance we place on children using and understanding key Computing vocabulary and how we support children in developing this knowledge through each Key Stage.