Computing and Online Safety

Computing

Computing is at the heart of many aspects of our modern lives and has become an integral part of our everyday living. At St. Luke’s, we want to equip our children with the skills that they will need in their lives now and in their futures. We want them to be able to use technology effectively and to make a difference to the world that they live in.

Computing in the Curriculum, includes digital literacy, information technology and computer science which are embedded into different aspects of learning across all curriculum areas. An integral part of computing is how to use the internet safely, and we support the children’s learning in this area frequently over the school year. Please also see our 'Online Safety' policies for adults and children and Acceptable User policies.

Digital Literacy aims to support children to:

• recognise common uses of information technology beyond school.
• learn to challenge and question information on the internet for its validity.
• 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.

Information Technology aims to support children to:

• use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content.

Computer Science aims to support children to:

• understand what algorithms are; how they are implemented as programs on digital devices; and that programs execute by following precise instructions to  create and debug simple programs.
• use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs.

Online Safety

Online Safety is about safe, responsible use of the internet and other forms of technology and about creating awareness for all users relating to safety when using these forms of technology.

At St. Luke's, our staff have training relating to Online safety and we have policies and agreements in place to support all children, staff, students or volunteers and governors of the school. These policies focus on what is safe and acceptable use of technology.

For our children, each Key Stage within the school has a 'child friendly' agreement that is discussed with the children and displayed in their classrooms. This provides information to children about responsible use of the internet and forms of technology and enables them to think about who to ask for help, should they be unsure of any issues relating to Online safety.

From Years 1 to 4 – Giraffes, Elephants, Tigers and Lions Classes, there are two Online safety child representatives from each class. They meet with the teacher responsible for Online safety on a regular basis to discuss aspects of Online safety that they can then go back to their own classes and talk to their friends about.

For further advice and support about Online safety for adults and children please see any relevant policies for information, or you can visit:

These sites can also be followed using Social Media, including Twitter and Facebook.