Aims
Our approach
Computing Curriculum Overview
Online Safety Curriculum Overview
Reception
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
computing

Aims

Computing at Ark Blacklands provides children with the vital computing skills they will need for the digital world. It helps them to value and understand the importance of technology and how it is used, gives them the skills to research and communicate ideas, and teaches them to programme for different purposes. Online safety is embedded through the curriculum to ensure children develop responsible attitudes towards digital life, preparing them for the 21st Century.

Our approach

 

COMPUTER

The computing curriculum at Ark Blacklands has been developed and adapted to fit the needs of the children and the whole school curriculum. To make the curriculum bespoke and to support its implementation, training has been provided to staff to enable each of them to become leaders of computing.

Children’s discovery of world of technology begins in the Early Years where they are provided with regular access to a range of devices in the learning environment. Children are taught to recognise that technology is used in places such as homes and schools and they have opportunities to select and use technology for different purposes.

Following a large investment in IT infrastructure and hardware, including the purchase of three trolleys of 30 laptop devices, pupils from year 1 to year 6 now have regular access to in-class computing at least once a week.

From KS1, children begin to learn the key skills needed to be computer literate. In Year 1, they begin by learning how to navigate, explore, and use a computer for different purposes. Moving into Year 2, the children grow the skills needed to find and research information, present and communicate information and ideas using Office programs, and to code simple programs.

Throughout KS2, the children continue to build their skills across the key areas of the Ark Blacklands computing curriculum so that they leave us as responsible, competent, and digitally literate users of technology.

Pupils in UKS2 are also given opportunities to become Computing Ambassadors – supporting teachers and younger pupils to be successful in their computing lessons.

The skills developed in the computing curriculum are embedded throughout the wider curriculum to create cross-curricular links. This ranges from using online manipulatives in maths and writing poetry using Word, to using the internet to learn more about an aspect of topic and utilising Excel to present scientific data.

From Early Years right through to Year 6, online safety is a critical component of the children’s computing education. Thus, each term the children learn about an aspect of online safety that is built upon year on year.

Computing Curriculum Overview

Online Safety Curriculum Overview

Reception

Technology is used frequently throughout EYFS. Most of the technology used in EYFS is integrated into the enabling environment. Technology in EYFS includes:

  • Smartboard for games (such as counting, number ordering, phonics games, Mini mash programmes for artwork) and displaying Eexat photos for the children to talk about.
  • Visualiser
  • iPads (used for interventions, phonics and maths games, and for the children to take photos of work they are proud of, or to create short videos)
  • Headphones with pre-recorded stories
  • Walkie talkies
  • Talking discs
  • Beebots
  • Home corner technology - phones/calculators/tills
  • Outside, there is a speaker and USB sticks for children to play music.

All Reception subjects Next Reception Subject - Modern Foreign Languages

Year 1

Autumn 1 Autumn 2
Exploring Computers Using Computers
To describe what a computer is and why they are used.

Skills and Knowledge
Describe what a computer is.
Identify the key parts of a computer.
Explain how computers can help us.
Describe how people use computers at home.
Describe how people use computers in school.

To use a computer.

Skills and Knowledge
Turn a computer on
Shutdown a computer
Use the touchpad 
Open programs and folders
Type in usernames and passwords
Spring 1 Spring 2
Using the Internet Creating Pictures

To research information about space.

Skills and Knowledge
Describe what a web page is.
Open an internet browser.
Find a web page using a search engine.
Open a link to a web page.
Identify the features of a website.
Use hyperlinks on a website.
Use the forward and back icons to revisit web pages.
Find a fact on a website.

To create pictures of animals.

Skills and Knowledge
Draw a line.
Draw a shape.
Fill a shape with colour.
Erase mistakes.
Undo mistakes.
Save a file with a file name.
Open a saved file.
Save a copy of a file.
Select and move parts of an image.
Summer 1 Summer 2
Creating Posters Creating algorithms

To create a poster to show and describe a plant.

Skills and Knowledge
Draw a line.
Draw a shape.
Fill a shape with colour.
Erase mistakes.
Undo mistakes.
Save a file with a file name.
Open a saved file.
Save a copy of a file.
Select and move parts of an image

To create algorithms.

Skills and Knowledge
Make a plan by choosing necessary actions.
Make a plan by putting actions in the right order.
Describe what an algorithm is.
Explain how making an algorithm helps to plan a program.
Plan a program.
Run a program.

All Year 1 subjects Next Year 1 Subject - Modern Foreign Languages

Year 2

Autumn 1 Autumn 2
Computers Using the Internet

To create a poster about computers.

Skills and Knowledge
Describe what a processor is.
Describe how computers use electricity.
Describe what output is.
Identify which computer parts are used for output.
Describe what input is.
Identify which computer parts are used for input.
Explain how devices are linked together.
Identify tasks that computers can help us with.
Identify tasks that computers cannot help us with.
Add a title to a document
Add a text box.
Add an image.
Add text effects.
Move an image on a page.
Make an image smaller or larger.
Add shapes as text boxes.
Change the appearance of a text box.

To research information about the Great Fire of London.

Skills and Knowledge
Open an internet browser.
Use a search engine.
Open a link to a web page.
Use the forward and back icons to revisit web pages.
Download an image from the internet.
Choose between websites.
Spring 1 Spring 2
Editing Programs Making Programs

To edit a program.

Skills and Knowledge
Describe what Scratch is.
Make changes to the Scratch stage.
Describe what input is and identify different types of input.
Describe what output is and identify different types of output.
Control a computer using inputs.
Make a program start.
Make a program start in a new way.
Describe what a Scratch sprite is.
Add a new block to a program.
Add an extra sprite to a program.
Find a specific block for a program.
Change what a sprite says.

To make a Sprite move.

Skills and Knowledge
Choose a sprite for a program.
Add commands to a program.
Choose an event that starts a program.
Change a program to make the sprite move ‘forever’.
Make a program to match a plan.
Make changes to a program.
Find and fix errors in a program.
Summer 1 Summer 2
Creating Presentations Using Spreadsheets

To create a presentation to answer the topic question.

Skills and Knowledge
Add a text box.
Add an image.
Add text effects.
Move an image on a page.
Make an image smaller or larger.
Add shapes as text boxes.
Change the appearance of a text box.

To create a spreadsheet to record data about the animals in a safari park.

Skills and Knowledge
Describe what a spreadsheet is.
Select a cell in a spreadsheet.
Explain what labels are.
Enter labels into a spreadsheet.
Make a list in a spreadsheet.
Explain what spreadsheet values are.
Enter values into a spreadsheet.
Edit values in a spreadsheet.

All Year 2 subjects Next Year 2 Subject - Modern Foreign Languages

Year 3

Computing

Autumn 1 Autumn 2
Digital Devices Creating Quizzes

To create a poster about digital devices.

Skills and Knowledge
Explain what digital means.
Identify digital devices.
Identify and describe the parts of a computer.
Identify and describe the features of mobile devices.
Describe how computers are used in different jobs.
Describe the benefits of using a computer.
Describe the limitations of using a computer.
Choose tasks where a computer can or cannot help.
Choose the right computer for a task.
Select text in a document.
Change fonts.
Change font size.
Change font colour

To create a maths quiz.

Skills and Knowledge
Create a Scratch program with output.
Make a program with input and output.
Make a program which turns inputs into outputs.
Use operators to do maths.
Plan a program that changes inputs into outputs.
Make a program with several inputs.
Spring 1 Spring 2
Creating Presentations Using Spreadsheets

To create a presentation to answer the topic question.

Skills and Knowledge
Add a title slide.
Add an image.
Add text to a slide.
Edit and correct a slide.
Change font size, style and colour.
Add animations to a slide.
Change the theme of a slide

To create a spreadsheet to collect and represent data about magnets.

Skills and Knowledge
Explain what a cell range is.
Make a column wider.
Create a spreadsheet formula.
Explain how changing values in a spreadsheet changes the answer.
Describe what cell references are.
Use cell references in a formula.
Extend a spreadsheet.
Create a line chart.
Create a bar chart.
Describe how a bar chart shows data.
Add a title and labels to a chart.
Change the design of a chart.
Summer 1 Summer 2
Using Email Creating Patterns

To write an email explaining the life cycle of cress.

Skills and Knowledge
Describe what email is.
Identify the different parts of an email.
Send an email.
Open an email.
Reply to an email.
Describe what an attachment is.
Add an attachment to an email.

To create different pattern types.

Skills and Knowledge
Make a Scratch sprite draw with a pen.
Change a program by changing number values.
Use inputs to change what a program does.
Explain what degrees are and how they change movement.
Describe how changing the number of degrees changes a program.
Recognise errors in a program.
Fix errors in a program.
Search for errors.

Online Safety

Autumn 1 Autumn 2

Privacy and Security
Describe simple strategies for creating and keeping passwords private.
Give reasons why someone should only share information with people they choose to and can trust. I can explain that if they are not sure or feel pressured then they should tell a trusted adult.
Describe how connected devices can collect and share anyone’s information with others.

 Managing Online Information
Demonstrate how to use key phrases in search engines to gather accurate information online.
Explain what autocomplete is and how to choose the best suggestion.
Explain how the internet can be used to sell and buy things.
Explain the difference between a ‘belief’, an ‘opinion’ and a ‘fact. and can give examples of how and where they might be shared online, e.g. in videos, memes, posts, news stories etc.
Explain that not all opinions shared may be accepted as true or fair by others (e.g. monsters under the bed).
Describe and demonstrate how we can get help from a trusted adult if we see content that makes us feel sad, uncomfortable worried or frightened.
Spring 1 Spring 2
Copyright and Ownership
Explain why copying someone else’s work from the internet without permission isn’t fair and explain what problems this might cause.		 Online Relationships
Describe ways people who have similar likes and interests can get together online.
Explain what it means to ‘know someone’ online and why this might be different from knowing someone offline.
Explain what is meant by ‘trusting someone online’, why this is different from ‘liking someone online’, and why it is important to be careful about who to trust online including what information and content they are trusted with.
Explain why someone may change their mind about trusting anyone with something if they feel nervous, uncomfortable or worried.
Explain how someone’s feelings can be hurt by what is said or written online.
Explain the importance of giving and gaining permission before sharing things online; how the principles of sharing online is the same as sharing offline e.g. sharing images and videos.
Summer 1 Summer 2
Online Bullying
Describe appropriate ways to behave towards other people online and why this is important.
Give examples of how bullying behaviour could appear online and how someone can get support.		 Online Reputation
Explain how to search for information about others online.
Give examples of what anyone may or may not be willing to share about themselves online.
Explain the need to be careful before sharing anything personal.
Explain who someone can ask if they are unsure about putting something online.

All Year 3 subjects Next Year 3 Subject - Modern Foreign Languages

Year 4

Autumn 1 Autumn 2
Microprocessors Creating Quizzes

To create a document about the use of microprocessors.

Skills and Knowledge
Describe how computers help us to work.
Describe what a microprocessor is.
Describe why a microprocessor is important to a computer.
Describe how microprocessors improve how devices work in the home and in a car.
Describe how microprocessors are used to improve the way people work.
Describe what computer storage is.
Explain why computer storage is important.
Use files and folders.
Store files.
Explain why it is important to save work correctly.
Save work correctly.
Change the page size of a document.
Use paragraphs in a document.
Change the text alignment in a document.
Organise text using headings.
Organise text using bulleted lists.
Organise text using tables.

To create a states of matter quiz.

Skills and Knowledge
Plan and create a program that asks a question.
Use a variable in a program.
Create a program with output.
Plan a program that uses a logical test.
Create a program that uses a logical test.
Write a program with if and else.
Spring 1 Spring 2
Using the Internet Creating Presentations

To research information about the Amazon Rainforest.

Skills and Knowledge
Describe what the world wide web is.
Use a search engine to carry out a basic web search.
Improve a basic web search.
Navigate a website.
Use bookmarks.

 To create a presentation to answer the topic question.

Skills and Knowledge
Change the size of a slide.
Change the text alignment in a text box.
Select text in a text box.
Change fonts.
Change font size.
Change font colour.
Organise text using headings.
Organise text using bulleted lists.
Organise text using tables.
Summer 1 Summer 2
Using Spreadsheets Creating Games

To create a spreadsheet detailing the costs of a trip across the USA.

Skills and Knowledge
Explain what a spreadsheet formula is.
Make a spreadsheet formula.
Use a cell reference in a spreadsheet formula.
Explain what values and labels are.
Make a spreadsheet by entering values and labels.
Format a spreadsheet.
Explain what a spreadsheet function is.
Explain what ‘sum’ means.
Use the Sum function to add up a column of numbers.
Format values as currency.
Create a pie chart.
Describe how pie charts show data as a graphic.
Format a field as currency.
Create a formula.
Copy a formula.

To create a dragon slaying game.

Skills and Knowledge
Choose sprites.
Choose a backdrop.
Set starting values.
Control the movement of a sprite as a user.
Make a sprite move on its own.
Create a program that senses if two sprites collide.
Use sound output in a program.
Set and change the value of a variable and display it on the screen.
Develop new program code to make a game more interesting.
Use original images and sounds in a program.

All Year 4 subjects Next Year 4 Subject - Modern Foreign Languages

Year 5

Autumn 1 Autumn 2
Computer Networks Using the Internet

To create a document about computer networks.

Skills and Knowledge
Describe what a computer network is.
Explain why networks are important at schools, at home and in the workplace.
Describe how computers are connected to a network.
Describe network devices, software, and rules.
Explain what the internet is.
Explain how the internet is different to the world wide web.
Describe how computer communication has changed that way people work.
Explain how the internet affects our lives.
Add headers and footers.
Add page numbers.
Add a table of contents.
Edit documents using Find and Replace.
Use a spell checker.

To research information about the Vikings.

Skills and Knowledge
Describe how a search engine finds web pages to answer a search question.
Explain how to use a search engine efficiently.
Explain how a search engine shows the links it finds.
Choose information carefully from the world wide web.
Spring 1 Spring 2
Designing Tests Using Spreadsheets

To create a program that demonstrates a life cycle.

Skills and Knowledge
Plan and create a program that uses variables.
Plan and create a program that uses a random number.
Do calculations using random numbers.
Plan a program that includes a counter loop.
Plan and create a program with a conditional loop.
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of using a conditional loop.

To create a spreadsheet to collect and represent data about forces.

Skills and Knowledge
Use charts in other documents.
Use the Sum function to add up a column of values.
Use a formula to calculate results.
Create formulas that use values from several worksheets.
Summer 1 Summer 2
Creating Games Editing Pictures

To create a space game.

Skills and Knowledge
Use coordinates to position a sprite on the screen.
Write a script to move a sprite on the stage.
Make a program with two sprites.
Use ‘if… else’ to control the output of a program.
Use input values to control a counter loop.
Use a conditional loop in a game.

To edit and present pictures.

Skills and Knowledge
Add audio files to a slideshow.
Take photos using a camera.
Focus the camera on a subject.
Use albums to organise photos.
Use filters to change the look of a photo.
Make manual changes to control the look and shape of a photo.
Use spot fix and cloning tools in photo editing software.
Add photos to a slide show.
Arrange photos on a slide show.

All Year 5 subjects Next Year 5 Subject - Modern Foreign Languages

Year 6

Autumn 1 Autumn 2
Robots Using Spreadsheets

To create a document about robots.

Skills and Knowledge
Consolidation of skills and knowledge.

To create a spreadsheet to collect and represent data about birds

Skills and Knowledge
Format a value as a percentage.
Explain what a percentage is.
Explain what a data table is.
Format a spreadsheet as a data table.
Explain what sorting is.
Sort data into alphabetical order.
Explain what filtering is.
Add a filter to a data table.
Use a list to simplify data entry.
Spring 1 Spring 2
Creating Presentations Solving Problems

To create a presentation to answer the topic question.

Skills and Knowledge
Consolidation of skills and knowledge.

To create algorithms and programs to solve problems.

Skills and Knowledge
Simplify a program.
Plan a solution to a problem.
Make a program to match a plan.
Use a loop to extend a simple plan.
To check an algorithm for errors.
Make changes to an algorithm to meet a new requirement.
Turn an algorithm into a program.
Combine features from more than one program.
Summer 1 Summer 2
Using the Internet Creating Games
To explore locations around the world.

To create a maze game.

Skills and Knowledge
Control the movement of a sprite using x/y coordinates.
Make a game respond to events.
Use a conditional loop to control movement.
Use program commands to control visual and sound outputs.
Store commands in modules.
Use modules to simplify a program.
Make an object avoid obstacles.

All Year 6 subjects Next Year 6 Subject - Modern Foreign Languages