Implementation
Our children begin their journey with technology in Early Years, with access to iPads, laptops and BeeBots. Teachers facilitate children’s curiosity with challenge and modelling how to use the equipment carefully and safely. Pupils are taught basic typing skills, use of the trackpad and logging in and out.
In KS1, pupils continue their journey with the BeeBots, using them more precisely. They learn how to programme a BeeBot to reach a destination and begin to be able to debug when something doesn’t work out the way they imagined. In the classroom, they improve their mouse control and learn how to log on and off a computer using a username and password. They learn about online safety and what to do if they encounter something which makes them feel uncomfortable as well as what personal information is and why it is important we don’t share it with someone on the internet. Coding then progresses from BeeBots onto a computer-based programme where children learn how to programme a variety of sprites.
In KS2, children continue this coding journey, not only making the sprites move, but interact with each other. As children progress up KS2 the coding becomes more complex and they are able to create basic games with code. Their digital literacy skills are combined with English, science, history and geography and work is word processed and presentations are created using PowerPoint. Children learn how to use the hardware we have in school including webcams, where they are taught how to take and manipulate pictures, showing them that what they view in the media isn’t always accurate. The children are also taught internet safety throughout each year of KS2. They know how to keep themselves safe online and what to do if they come across something that makes them uncomfortable. KS2 are taught the difference between being a bystander and an upstander and the importance of reporting something they experience happening to themselves or another person, as in accordance with our Anti Bullying Policy and our Online Safety Policy. Upper KS2 understand the importance of media balance and appreciate that as they get older, they are more responsible for their online presence and how often they access a variety of forms of media.