ICT Policy

Duck Street, Cerne Abbas, Dorset, DT2 7LA

‘The Small School with the Big Heart.’

Cerne Abbas CE VC First School ICT Policy

Introduction

The use of information and communication technology is an integral part of the national curriculum and is a key skill for everyday life. Computers, tablets, programmable robots, digital and video cameras are a few of the tools that can be used to acquire, organise, store, manipulate, interpret, communicate and present information. We recognise that pupils are entitled to quality hardware and software and a structured and progressive approach to the learning of the skills needed to enable them to use it effectively.

Intent

The world is surrounded with ever advancing ICT from devices which will help me every day to systems which have the potential to be life-changing. Being confident with the many uses of ICT will support me into my adult life. We learn how to access ICT safely by following the Christian values embedded within our school which are Trust, Peace,Friendship, Forgiveness, Courage and Joy

Aims

• Provide a relevant, challenging and enjoyable curriculum for ICT and computing for all pupils.
• Meet the requirements of the national curriculum programmes of study for computing.
• Use computing as a tool to enhance learning throughout the curriculum.
• To respond to new developments in technology.
• To equip pupils with the confidence and capability to use computing throughout their later life.
• To enhance learning in other areas of the curriculum using computing.
• To develop the understanding of how to use computing safely and responsibly.

The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Can understand and apply the fundamental principles of computer science, including logic, algorithms, data representation, and communication
• Can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems
• Can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.
• Are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.

Rationale

The school believes that ICT and computing:

• Gives pupils immediate access to a rich source of materials.
• Can present information in new ways which help pupils understand access and use it more readily.
• Can motivate and enthuse pupils.
• Can help pupils focus and concentrate.
• Offers potential for effective group working.
• Has the flexibility to meet the individual needs and abilities of each pupil.
• Ensures that pupils become digitally literate – that they are able to use and express themselves through technology and that they are at a level suitable for the future workplace as active participants in an ever changing digital world.

Objectives

Early years

It is important in the foundation stage to give children a broad, play-based experience of ICT in a range of contexts, including outdoor play. Computing is not just about computers. Early years learning environments should feature ICT scenarios based on experience in the real world, such as in role play. Children gain confidence, control and language skills through opportunities to explore using non-computer based resources such as metal detectors, controllable traffic lights and walkie-talkie sets. Recording devices can support children to develop their communication skills. This is particularly useful with children who have English as an additional language.

Key stage 1 Pupils should be taught to:

• understand what algorithms are; how they are implemented as programs on digital devices; and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions 
• create and debug simple programs
• use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs
• use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content  recognise common uses of information technology beyond school
• use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies.

Key stage 2 Pupils should be taught to: 

• design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts 
• use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output
• use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs  understand computer networks including the internet; how they can provide multiple  services, such as the world wide web; and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration
• use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content 
• select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information 
• use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact.

Resources and access

The school acknowledges the need to continually maintain, update and develop its resources and to make progress towards a consistent, compatible system by investing in resources that will effectively deliver the strands of the national curriculum and support the use of computing across the school. Teachers are required to inform the technician of any faults as soon as they are noticed in a log book. Resources, if not classroom based, are located in the computer areas or stored away by the technician.

Planning

The school is using a Computing Scheme of Work to deliver the Computing National Curriculum and adding to where needed. Pupil progress towards objectives will be recorded by teachers as part of their class recording system. A minority of children will have particular teaching and learning requirements which go beyond the provision for that age range and if not addressed, could create barriers to learning. This could include more able children, those with SEN or those who have EAL. Teachers will take account of these requirements and plan, where necessary, to support individuals or groups of pupils to enable them to participate effectively in the curriculum.

Assessment and record keeping

Teachers regularly assess capability through observations and looking at completed work. Key objectives to be assessed are taken from the national curriculum to assess key computing skills each term. Assessing ICT and computing work is an integral part of teaching and learning and central to good practice. As assessment is part of the learning process it is essential that pupils are closely involved.

Assessment can be broken down into;

•  Formative assessments which are carried out during and following short focused tasks and activities. They provide pupils and teaching staff the opportunity to reflect on their learning in the context of the agreed success criteria. This feeds into planning for the next lesson or activity.
• Summative assessment should review pupils' capability and provide a best fit. Use of independent open ended tasks, provide opportunities for pupils to demonstrate capability in relation to the term’s work. There should be an opportunity for pupil review and identification of next steps.

Summative assessment should be recorded for all pupils – showing whether the pupils are below, within or secure in the learning objectives.

We record the results in our assessment files and we use these to plan future work, to provide the basis for assessing the progress of the child and to pass information on to the next teacher at the end of the year. Some computing work is saved on the school network.

Monitoring and evaluation

The subject leader is responsible for monitoring the standard of the children’s work and the quality of teaching. The subject leader is also responsible for supporting colleagues in the teaching of computing, for being informed about current developments in the subject, and for providing a strategic lead and direction for the subject in the school. The governors will ensure this policy is reviewed.

Equal opportunities

We will ensure that all children are provided with the same learning opportunities whatever their social class, gender, culture, race, disability or learning difficulties. As a result we hope to enable all children to develop positive attitudes towards others. All pupils have equal access to ICT and computing and all staff members follow the equal opportunities policy. Resources for SEN children and more able will be made available to support and challenge appropriately.

Health and safety (see also health and safety policy)

The school is aware of the health and safety issues involved in children’s use of ICT and computing.

• All fixed electrical appliances in school are tested by a contractor every five years and all portable electrical equipment in school is tested by an external contractor every twelve months. Staff should not bring their own electrical equipment into school but if this is necessary, then the equipment must be PAT tested before being used in school.
• Damaged equipment should be reported to the technician or business manager who will arrange for repair or disposal.
• Children should be supervised when using plug sockets.
• Trailing leads should be made safe behind the equipment
• Liquids must not be taken near the computers
• E-safety forms an integral part of the curriculum and the school will deliver further education through assemblies termly and parent presentations biennially. E-safety is taught prior to times where lockdown means many children will access an increasing amount of material online. Parents receive monthly current e-safety advice via a newsletter. They will be directed to online advice and support if they are concerned about any online activity.
• Security
• The ICT and computing technician /coordinator will be responsible for regularly updating anti-virus software.
• Use of ICT and computing will be in line with the school’s ‘acceptable use policy’. All staff, volunteers and children must sign a copy of the schools Acceptable Use Policy.
• Parents will be made aware of the ‘acceptable use policy’ at school entry
• All pupils will be aware of the school rules for responsible use on login to the network and will understand the consequence of any misuse.
• The agreed rules for safe and responsible use of ICT and computing and the internet will be displayed in all ICT and computing areas.
• Children borrowing school laptops for online learning will have to agree to an acceptable usage policy prior to taking any equipment home.