St Nicolas Computing Intent   

At St Nicolas we believe our high-quality computing education will equip our children to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. We recognise the importance of responding to new developments in technology, and aim to equip pupils with the confidence and capability to use ICT and computing throughout their lives. We strive to provide an ambitious, challenging and engaging curriculum for all pupils, as well as using it as a tool to enhance learning throughout the wider curriculum. 

Computing as a standalone subject has a number of key parts, each of which we aim to teach and fully instil the value of amongst our children. Our curriculum is sequential and progressive to ensure children leave St Nicolas with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the rapidly changing digital world.

These can be categorised as:  

• Computer science – Pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming.  

• Information technology – Pupils are equipped to create programs, systems and a range of content in order to develop products and solutions.  

• Digital literacy – Pupils are taught to use, access and express oneself through digital technology, including a critical understanding of technology’s impact on the individual and society, at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.  

At St Nicolas we firmly believe in the importance of delivering a high quality Online Safety curriculum alongside the core values of computer science, information technology and digital literacy. As technology develops, so does the need for a secure understanding of how to use it responsibly. We want our pupils to have a breadth of experience to develop their understanding of themselves as individuals, within their community but also as members of a wider global community and as a responsible digital citizen. 

Online Safety

The aim of our e-safety commitment to pupils, parents and staff is to provide a safe environment through our use of modern technology. We aim to educate good usage and positively encourage learning through safe interaction with a range of tablet and online technologies.

The emphasis on e-safety in the Computing curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.

At Key Stage 1, pupils should be taught to:-

• 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.

At Key Stage 2, pupils should be taught to:-

• use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact. 

However, with the proliferation of mobile services e-safety is more apparent than ever before. Please find below a selection of online resources for pupils, parents and staff alike. The sites listed below are by no means exhaustive but do give a great introduction to e-safety.  We hope you will find them useful to engage you and your child in constructive conversation about e-safety.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch should you have any questions.

Digital Parenting - Safer Internet Day film for parents and carers

This film accompanies the Safer Internet Day education pack for parents and carers created for Safer Internet Day 2018. However, it is still a relevant film that looks at what is important in digital parenting and signposts parents and carers to resources they might find useful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=qmPO6NkY2jQ

CBBC - Children's guide to staying safe online
This guide written by CBBC gives 8 top tips for staying safe online
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/curations/lifebabble-guide-to-digital-safety

​CEOP
CEOP is the organisation for Child Exploitation and online protection.  It contains a range of information about keeping yourself or a child you know safe from child sexual exploitation.  You can also report anything that has made you feel uncomfortable on the COP website.
http://ceop.police.uk/

Childnet International (previously kidsmart)
Childnet International is a non-profit organisation working with others to help make the internet a great and safe place for children.
http://www.childnet.com

Internet Matters
This website offers help for parents on how to keep their children safe online. It is run in partnership with all of the big internet service providers, including BT, Sky and Virgin.
https://www.internetmatters.org

Social Media Video
This light hearted video demonstrates how social media behaviour would work in person look in person, brings it all into perspective
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDycZH0CA4I

South West Grid for Learning (SWGfL)
A not-for-profit charitable trust, providing a wide range of products, services and solutions designed specifically for education, including support for

safeguarding children online. Here you will find innovation, expertise and multi-award winning tools.
https://swgfl.org.uk/

Thinkuknow
Thinkuknow is also from CEOPS but has areas aimed at different age ranges using videos and top tips to make learning about internet safety fun.
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

UK Safer Internet Centre
The UK Safer Internet Centre contains online safety tips, advice and resources to help children and young people stay safe online.
https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/
 

Specifically they have information on staying safe when using social network and similar sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Moshi Monsters, YouTube etc, these guides can be accessed here:
https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/social-media-guides

Warwickshire County Council

Cyber Safe Warwickshire

Cyber Safe Warwickshire helps young adults and their parents get the knowledge they need to stay safe online.

https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/keeping-child-safe/cyber-safety/1

Reporting Harmful Content

It is important to report any harmful content found using the following resources:

https://reportharmfulcontent.com/report/