Computing at DSA

Our Big Ideas

At Djanogly Strelley Academy, our computing curriculum is designed to create proficiency and enjoyment of technology now and our children’s future world. Through creating, exploring and evaluating digital content, pupils develop a confident digital identity, understand how technology connects communities, make sustainable and responsible choices online, and appreciate the diversity of people and ideas in the digital world.

Our curriculum is built around three core Curriculum Threads:

• Digital Literacy (including online safety)
• Information Technology
• Computer Science

Our Approach

We understand the importance of supporting opportunities for all children. Our future workforce should reflect a broad cross section of society, including but not limited to: age, gender, race, religious beliefs, cognitive and physical differences. If we consider computing and the potential career opportunities and pathways this may lead to, it’s vital that a broad workforce is in place, particularly when decisions on design and implementation of systems is required to limit bias. Computing should be integrated within different cultures and experiences of people.

Lessons are interactive and engaging, using digital and physical technology, such as: beebots, spheros, iPads, laptops, micro:bits, robot vehicles and 3D printers. We use Purple Mash as our main learning platform and therefore teachers are supported with their lesson planning and resources.

Curriculum Overview

Our Computing curriculum follows a structured Long Term Plan (LTP) and is carefully sequenced to ensure progression. Here is a snapshot of the modules taught across all year groups.

Digital Literacy (including online safety) Computer Science Information Technology

Supporting Learning at Home - Ideas to Help

You can support your child's Computing learning by:

• Allowing child time on Purple Mash to practice their learning at home.

https://www.purplemash.com/sch/strelley#

Useful Websites/Links for Computing at Home

Barefoot (KS1 and KS2)

https://www.barefootcomputing.org/homelearning

Downloadable activities and games for children, links to live lessons and a guide for parents - includes cross-curricular lesson plans and resources that unpack computational thinking in a range of subjects.

Code Club (KS2)

https://projects.raspberrypi.org/en/codeclub

Projects and activities for home learning and a parent guide.

UK Safer Internet Centre (KS1 and KS2)

https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/young-people/resources-3-11s

Online safety resources aimed at 3 -11 year olds.

Thinkfun – All ages

http://info.thinkfun.com/stem-education/6-unplugged-coding-activities-for-hour-of-code

Unplugged activities for children to learn the basics about algorithms without a computer.

Scratch & Scratch Junior

Scratch https://scratch.mit.edu/

Scratch Junior https://www.scratchjr.org/

The main coding site used at Teagues Bridge – Children can set up their own account and code using the variety of coding projects.

Tinkercad

Tinkercad is a free web app for 3D design, electronics, and coding, trusted Play video.

https://www.tinkercad.com/

This gets children the opportunity to delve into the world of 3D design. This gives the platform to generate 3D designs from 2D shapes and experience how architects and urban planners design their buildings.

AI – 3D animation

https://sketch.metademolab.com/share/cf1671e5e6f04254b5bb6b12ad4f7ace/wave_hello_3

Transform static sketches into fun animations using meta demo lab. You can use this program to animate 2D drawings into moving animations.