Computing

The New Computing Curriculum develops both skills and knowledge. Children are taught computer science. This includes the craft of coding, from KS1 onwards – floor and screen turtles at KS1 to Scratch at KS2. Children learn about programming, data, algorithms and networks. This enables children to develop an understanding of the principles of computer science. They develop computational thinking. There’s also a focus on problem solving: using logic and ideas about systems, patterns (and pattern languages), abstraction and decomposition.

The new curriculum puts a clearer emphasis on three areas of learning:

Computer science - how computers work and how to write algorithms and solve problems to eventually create a computer program.

Information technology - how data is represented and managed on computers.

Digital literacy - how to understand digital information and interact with it safely and appropriately.

The aim of the new curriculum is to build an understanding of how computers work and how they can be used in pupils’ lives - both in their future employment and in enabling them to be good 21st Century global citizens.

At Holy Family learners have the opportunity to use ICT within the class across a range of subjects. Learners have access to laptops.

Pupils are also taught about how to keep themselves safe on line.

E-Safety

As part of Internet Safety Day on, 'Play your part in a better internet', every class presented their work they had achieved in assembly. We enjoyed a great song from year one class that had a very important message.
'Before you click, click, click...
You need to think, think, think..
And tell someone.' 

Children are taught once a term on internet safety through various websites and activities.

Safer Internet Day 2016

Will be celebrated globally on Tuesday 9th February with the slogan 'Play your part for a better internet.'
Coordinated in the UK by the UK Safer Internet Centre the celebration sees hundreds of organisations get involved to help promote the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people.
Globally, Safer Internet Day is celebrated in over a hundred countries, coordinated by the joint Insafe/INHOPE network, with the support of the European Commission, and 31 national Safer Internet Centres across Europe.
The day offers the opportunity to highlight positive uses of technology and to explore the role we all play in helping to create a better and safer online community. It calls upon young people, parents, carers, teachers, social workers, law enforcement, companies, policymakers, and wider, to join together in helping to create a better internet. Ultimately, a better internet is up to us!

Digital Leaders

So what is the idea?
Digital leaders are, at the basic idea, pupil monitors for the tech that is used in schools. They are children who are interested, enthusiastic and thanks to training, knowledgeable! They spread good behaviour with technology, support teachers and are able to showcase what is possible. And, importantly, they develop their own skills and become a showcase for what is achievable!

Why Digital Leaders?

Giving the children, and indeed the teacher a high profile, with the title, and official roles will benefit all involved. Digital Leaders are trained to carry out specific jobs regularly and can support teachers when needed. Promoting their role means that teachers and parents will take them seriously, and the experience they get from this will be very valuable!