Computing
Technology is not just a tool. It can give learners a voice that they may not have had before
- George Couros
Vision
Our vision is for children at Penwortham to be creative, digitally literate and responsible digital citizens who know how to keep themselves safe online in a technologically advancing world.
What do the children learn and when?
Please click the link to see our computing overview:
Click the image below to see the children’s learning journey through the scheme of Teach Computing.
How do we teach computing?
At Penwortham, all teachers will teach computing on a weekly basis to years 1 - 6. The computing lessons at Penwortham are supported by the Teach Computing scheme, provided by the National Centre of Computing Education. Teachers then provide children with the opportunity to use the skills and confidence they have built within their computing lessons across the wider curriculum. Computing lessons are practical and use a variety of resources such as iPads, Chromebooks, Beebots, VR headsets and smart robots.
In Computing lessons, the children learn to use a range of software on a deep level, building on skills taught in the previous year group. During their time at Penwortham, they will have the chance to use software including Scratch, Garageband, Book Creator, Daisy the Dinosaur, Puppet Pals, Draw and Tell and iMovie.
Online Safety
Our Computing curriculum places online Safety at its core. This is embedded into all Computing lessons and also taught explicitly by class teachers during Online Safety Afternoons, National Online Safety Day and our Wellbeing lessons. We use Project Evolve (https://projectevolve.co.uk/) resources from the Education for a Connected World framework to ensure children become competent in staying safe in the followings areas:
- Self image and identity
- Online relationships
- Online bullying
- Online reputation
- Managing online information
- Copyright and ownership
- Health, wellbeing and lifestyle
- Privacy and Security
All stakeholders in our school (pupils, staff, parents, volunteers and governors) read and sign an Acceptable Use Policy linked to our Online Safety Policy. We train pupils in Year 5 to become Digital Leaders, experts in Online Safety who contribute to teaching and learning through delivering workshops, creating podcasts, planning sessions and contributing to the school 'Globe'.
Our learning
At Penwortham, we deliver Computing in weekly lessons a swell as throughout the curriculum to enrich our learning across all subjects.
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More videos can be found here.
Clubs
After many successful years taking part in the Digital Leaders Programme, the programme has come to an end however Year 5 and 6 children are now appointed as our very own Digital Leaders and attend a Online Safety group weekly. These children have the opportunity to learn about Online Safety and how to support others.
Other Computing clubs include VR club, Programming club (including microbits and scratch) and Touch typing.
WE ARE Curriculum Showcases
Throughout the year, parents will have the opportunity to take part in Computing workshops and Online Safety workshops.
Click here to find out more about our WE ARE curriculum showcases.
What children say about Computing at Penwortham
Staff leads: Mr Harrison, Miss Tester and Mrs Redgrove
Pupil leads: Mika, Rafi, Leo, Oliver and Danilo
Pupil leaders work closely with the Computing team and teaching staff to ensure that learning is aspirational, engaging and advancing. The students meet regularly to assist the teachers and to develop and review the curriculum.
Useful Websites
