“We need technology in every classroom, and in every student's and teacher's hand, because it is the pen and paper of our time, and it is the lens through which we experience much of our world.” - David Warlick

Lead Digital Engineer: Steph Essex

Intent:

At Christ Church Infants we believe that Computing is an essential part of the curriculum; a subject that not only stands alone but is woven and should be an integral part of all learning.  Computing is fast becoming an integral part of everyone’s daily lives and children should be at the forefront of new technology, with a thirst for learning what is out there, ready for a technological world.

Our intent is to provide children with the skills needed to function in their future careers and lives.

We intend for children be taught initially on how to use a range of technology for different purposes. Once children are armed with these skills they can then begin to think creatively and become independent in using technology to enhance their lives both at home, school and beyond.

We at Christ Church Infants aim to create children who are digital engineers who have a love of technology and are inspired to think challenge their knowledge, understanding and skills. Children are encouraged to take risks in their learning and use digital language to explain their computational thinking and understanding.

Implementation:

There is a clear, progressive and creative Scheme of Work from the NCCE which has been adapted for the children at Christ Church Infants. Digital Engineering is taught as a standalone subject, however there are Digital Engineering links made through the Curious City Enquiries enabling technological skills to be applied in real learning experiences. This provides children with cross curricular opportunities to see the value and purpose of technology in a context.

We provide children with differentiated computing lessons across the school showing a progression of skills from EYFS to Year 2. Planning provides teaching staff with clear National Curriculum links, key vocabulary and modelling to ensure the teaching of Computing is of a very high standard across the school. Staff teach from weekly lessons plans which cover Internet Safety and Key BME Role Models each term linked to our area of Computing to inspire children and create high aspirations for their learning each term.

Internet Safety is a fundamental part of being a Digital Engineer and at Christ Church Infants we ensure children have the opportunity to explore key E-Safety issues regularly, have open dialogues in their classroom and a systematic process for reporting any concerns. Additional Internet Safety activities at CCI are:

• An Internet Safety Whole School Assembly every term
• An Internet Safety Newsletter to Parents/Carers every term
• An Internet Safety Lesson in every class every term
• A whole school Internet Safety Day celebration once a year
• A library of Internet Safety stories to share in class story times

Children are encouraged to apply their knowledge and understanding through hands on, creative, interesting and thought provoking activities. We encourage children to work together with partners and in small groups to collaborate, test, predict and problem solve in order to become competent, confident and creative users of Information Communication Technology.   

We are fortunate to have a range of technology to support children’s learning:

• ICT Suite
• LearnPads
• Explorative Technology Box
• Interactive whiteboards
• Class cameras
• Beebots

Impact:

At Christ Church Infants we aim for all children by the end of Year 2 to be digitally literate and confident Digital Engineers, able to join the rest of the world on its digital platform.  Children will be equipped, not only with the skills and knowledge to use technology effectively and for their own benefit, but more importantly – safely.  The biggest impact we want on our children is that they understand the consequences of using the Internet and that they are also aware of how to keep themselves safe online.

As children become more confident in their abilities in Computing, they will become more independent and key life skills such as problem-solving, logical thinking and self-evaluation become second nature.

As Lead Digital Engineer I have a detailed yearly action plan, clearly specifying exact times during the year where I will look at the impact of the implementation. I will monitor teaching and learning by:

• Data analysis using our data tracking system to identify children working below, at and above and to use this data to challenge key groups and provide additional guidance where needed to close the gap.
• Pupil Conferencing with a range of children from EYFS to Year 2.
• Skills based activities with a selection of children to ensure the curriculum and Scheme of Work is effective.
• Photographic evidence from lessons and examples of work

Three times a year we will report Digital Engineering knowledge and understanding to parents in a report.

Photos of our digital engineers: