Computing Policy
This policy has been developed in consultation with staff. It reflects the consensus of opinion of the staff and has been agreed by the SMT and governing body.
Vision Statement
At Oliver Tomkins we see Computing as an integrated part of the curriculum. All pupils should have access to the technology, which will enrich their learning. We want to enable pupils to take greater responsibility for their own learning and provide opportunities for them to decide when it is appropriate to use Computing. We intend to enhance learning through using Computing by providing greater access to Computing resources and raising the competence and confidence of pupils and staff.
We believe that we should be using Computing because it is the most effective way to achieve teaching and learning objectives. We want to ensure that we avoid “the use of Computing for simple or routine tasks, which would be better accomplished by other means”.
We also recognise the need for protecting individuals when using Computing and have created an Acceptable Use Policy was discussed and implemented.
Aims
q To provide all pupils with the opportunities to develop their Computing skills (e-safety, programming, handling data, multimedia and technology in our lives) from the beginning of the Foundation Stage to the end of Key Stage Two.
q To develop pupil’s awareness of the use of Computing equipment not only in the classroom but also in everyday life. (i.e. video, digital cameras, scanner, pixi, tablets, mobile phones, photocopier.)
q To develop pupil’s awareness of how to protect themselves and information when working ‘online’ and how what to do if they feel vulnerable (e-safety).
q For pupils to be confident to use Computing equipment independently and enjoy experimenting with new innovations without worry or anxiety.
q To regularly update staff training to enable them to use new equipment and software
q To develop a whole school approach to Computing ensuring continuity and progression.
Role of SMT and governors
The overall responsibility for the use of Computing rests with the senior management of a school, the Head, in consultation with the staff:
o The Head in consultation with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) has overall responsibility for setting the Computing budget each year. This will be in conjunction with the annual audit and review completed by the Computing Subject Leader.
o The Head, in conjunction with SLT, governors and teachers in the school, are responsible for agreeing any changes to the current Computing policy and scheme of work.
o The Head in conjunction with the SLT are responsible for ensuring that a yearly action plan is set up which outlines what developments the Computing Subject Leader will be making in the curriculum area over each financial year. This will be laid out in the SDP.
o The governors and in particular the SLT will help to raise the status of Computing within the school.
The Role of the Computing Subject Leader
The Computing Subject Leader should
o Ensure the development of a scheme of work for the Computing curriculum. This will develop the skills and concepts needed for using Computing across the curriculum and the Foundation Stage, Key Stages One and Two.
o Work with other staff to ensure that the programmes of study in Computing are covered as far as possible.
o Develop and monitor the contributions of subjects to its cross curricular use through learning walks, termly planning, pupil voice, work scrutiny and regular observations of teaching and learning styles in classrooms.
o Manage the provision and deployment of resources and give guidance on classroom organisation and support.
o Act as a contact point between the school and support agencies.
o Liase and manage technical support, technicians or network managers where appropriate.
o Co-ordinate the evaluation and review of the school’s Computing policy.
o Collect examples of work to ensure progression and continuity across the Foundation Stage, Key Stage One and Two.
o To encourage support and manage staff training according to staff expertise and need.
A strategy for implementation
The development of Computing for teaching and learning
We at Oliver Tomkins believe that children should view Computing as a tool that enhances, develops and aids their learning. Although there are times when the skills and concepts will have to be taught as a pre-cursor to cross-curricular use it is not intended that Computing will be delivered in isolation.
The New Curriculum sets out a programme of study to be followed in implementing the knowledge skills and understanding needed in Computing. The school uses the Wessex Computing Scheme of work and this is supplemented with the Swindon Computing Unit Plans as a scheme of work to ensure that provision of all strands of Computing are covered.
At the beginning of each term teachers highlight and identify the key aspects chosen for the term’s focus from Scheme of Work.
During medium term planning Computing will be planned from the scheme of work. We link the Computing scheme to the rest of the curriculum so that it supports and enhances other curriculum areas.
The Computing scheme of work is taught using laptops, netbooks, IPads, desktop computers and an interactive white board in each classroom, which allow for whole class teaching, particularly in Computing, literacy and numeracy.
Using the completed medium term planning, a skill or concept from the record of achievement will be identified to focus on each week and written into the medium term planning. The cross- curricular activity needed to achieve this skill and concept will be planned alongside the key concept and skill.
Curriculum Subject Leaders will be required to include Computing where appropriate in their schemes of work when they update them.
All pupils have access to the Internet. They are taught how to use it purposefully and under supervision. We have introduced an Internet Acceptable Use Policy that sets out the conditions under which pupils will be allowed to access
Access to the Curriculum
The strength of Computing is that it can provide equality of access to the curriculum for all children, which allows them to function at their optimum level, either as an aid to communication or as an integrated aid to learning. The provision of resources should also take into account the needs, abilities and interests of individual children.
Computing is an everyday fact of life for the children in our school. It is important therefore that all children girls and boys those with low attainment and those with high attainment irrespective of ethnic and social background, feel comfortable with Computing.
The ongoing process of evaluation and assessment within Computing should highlight children who are experiencing significant levels of difficulty. Children with special needs are integrated into classroom and work within their class or group. When a child is deemed to have SEN an Individual Education Plan is provided to support the needs of the child. Wherever possible it is our aim to ensure that Computing is a resource and tool, which should be used to support and enhance their learning across the curriculum.
In addition to this, the Computing Subject Leader in discussion with the SENCO, will look at provision of resources, providing those items that are specific to SEN needs.
This also applies to Able Children identified on the gifted and talented register in the school. Differentiation of classroom activities and tasks allows us to meet the needs of the majority of the children but we recognise that we will have some very able pupils that need challenges and opportunities at levels appropriate to them. Investigations and relevant software using Computing should be used to stretch the able child across all aspects of the curriculum where possible.
Assessment Recording and Reporting
We aim for each child to build up a portfolio of Computing evidence over a year, some of which will be stored electronically. This should provide relevant information for each child’s new teacher as they progress through the school. In line with the school’s assessment policy we aim to collect samples of Computing from the monitored children three times a year covering all areas of study.
Teacher assessments of Computing capability will be recorded termly against the skills and concepts identified in the medium and short term planning. These assessments will be highlighted on the individual child’s record of achievement and the relevant key for learning achieved noted.
A report on each child’s achievement in ICT will be made formally to parents at the end of each academic year.
As pupils progress through the school they are assessed against Band objectives. The children will be assessed as working: below age expected, working within age expected or working securely within age expected. See the Assessment and Reporting Policy for more information.
Monitoring and Evaluation
It is our aim that the Computing Subject Leader will monitor and evaluate the use of Computing in line with the Monitoring and Evaluation Policy.
Parents and the Community
We at Oliver Tomkins Infant and Junior Schools aim to keep parents informed of developments in our newsletters and through our termly curriculum overviews. All the school policies are available for inspection upon request from our school office.
To heighten awareness of the Computing strategy and acceptable use policy, information will be given in the school handbook.
A school website provides information and a point of contact electronically will be made available by 2012.
Copies of the Acceptable Use Policy will be on clear display alongside the computer golden rules in all classrooms to inform visitors and A.O.T.S.
Where possible, parent support in classrooms will be encouraged and involved in the use of Computing with children.
It is our intention to constantly strive to find ways to inform and involve both parents and the wider community.
Software
Each member of staff has access to software on the network. All master discs are to be stored in the locked cupboards in the resource room along with the digital cameras and pixi. Any classroom based CD-ROMS should be kept in each classroom. Software is purchased and used according to age range, topic work and can be interchangeable and shared.
All perishable resources e.g. ink cartridges are kept in the Computing suite cupboards or computer resource area.
Monitoring Evaluation and Review
The effectiveness of this policy will be monitored by the Computing Subject Leader in consultation with the head teacher and the staff. It will be reviewed and updated annually.
Reviewed September 2017
The next review is due in September 2018.
Version 2.3