Computing Curriulum
The computing curriuculum is divided in to three main themes. Computer science which teaches children about the areas such as algorithms, sequencing and reasoning. Information Technology which teaches children about using technology purposefully. Lastly, digital literacy which the pupils learn about e-safety.
At Thriplow, the children from Year 1 upwards all have their own account for Purple Mash and Mathletics which can be accessed at home. This gives them the opportunity to continue and develop skills that they have learnt at school.
Online Safety
At Thriplow we are using the Google e-safety scheme – Be Internet Legends to guide our teaching. The scheme is broken down into 5 parts: Be internet Kind, Be Internet sharp, Be Internet Secure, Be Internet Brave, Be Internet Secure. Each half term every class has a focus on one of these elements.
Below are some useful messages to discuss with your child that will support what is discussed and taught in school.
Key messages to talk to your child about:
- Never share anything with anyone they wouldn't want you or their teacher to see. THINK BEFORE YOU POST.
- Make sure they know who to talk to if they feel uncomfortable, upset or worried.
- Never communicate online with anyone they don't know AND TRUST in the real world.
- Keep personal information private.
- Don't send anything to anyone you wouldn't want to receive yourself and don't share other people's content.
Content
- Be careful which sites the rest of the family visit.
- Tell your child not to fill out online forms.
- Talk to your children about validity of sites when researching - anyone can create a website.
Social networking/chat rooms/gaming
- Talk to them about digital privacy.
- Talk to your child about 'friends' - someone they 'meet online' in NOT a friend.
- Decide what PEGI rating games you will allow them to play and make sure they are aware (be aware that extreme gaming may be a safeguarding issue)
Other tips and useful links to help you to keep your children safe online
- Explore e-safety sites - They are great fun to explore, so why not browse through them with your children?
- Facebook / Bebo / Myspace - Many of these sites have a minimum age limit of 13, so our pupils should not be using them.
- Keep your computer in a shared area - Talk to your child about what they are doing online and, if possible, set up your computer in a shared area at home so that you can all share in the sites that are available online.
- Set up Google safe searches
Some useful websites
- Think U Know - containing internet safety advice for those aged from 5 to 16, along with parents and teachers, this site is produced by CEOP (the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre).
- Vodafone Parents - Vodafone have lots of fantastic practical advice for parents. You can also read their 'Digital Parenting' magazine.
- Kidsmart - An award-winning internet safety programme for children.
- Know IT All - lots of useful advice for keeping yourselves and your children safe on the Internet.
- Bullying UK - Information and advice about bullying for children, parents and schools.
- Kidscape - An organisation which helps to prevent bullying and child abuse.
- Childline - ChildLine is the free helpline for children and young people in the UK.
- NSPCC - Information and advice about children at risk and child abuse.
- CEOP - Child Exploitation & Online Protection - Stay safe online
