Sibsey Free School Information and Communication Technology Policy We aim to provide a broad and balanced curriculum throughout the school within the framework of the National Curriculum, with equal opportunities for all children irrespective of ability or sex. Introduction Information and Communication Technology forms one of the Core subjects in the National Curriculum. This policy reflects the consensus of opinion of the whole teaching staff and has the support and agreement of the Governing body. The implementation of this policy is the responsibility of all members of staff supported by the ICT co-ordinator. Acceptable User Policy All Staff are aware of and have signed the LA Acceptable Usage Policy relating to ensuring IT services within the school are used lawfully and appropriately. The Nature of ICT ICT is concerned with children using and applying a variety of systems that handle electronically retrievable information communicating information, handling information, modelling, measurement/control and applications and effects. Most important ICT will be used as a cross-curricular tool supporting and enriching the children s learning across the entire curriculum. Our aim as a school is to see ICT as a tool to use across the curriculum supporting and enhancing children s learning and supporting the teachers in the undertaking of their work. Entitlement At Key Stages 1 and 2 every child will have experience in: Communicating Information Using the computer to write and draw (to include editing and arranging) Handling information Collecting, sorting and interpreting data with a variety of databases Measurement and control Using commands on computers and s Applications and Effects Uses of ICT in everyday life Animation/Video Internet and Email During Key Stage 2 children will also have the opportunity to control lights and motors through the computer. They also work with simple spreadsheets and logotype programmes. Implementation Throughout the Key Stages progression is monitored based on the attached Software map. At both Key Stages children may have experience with:-
PCs including Laptops, colour printers, CD ROMs, s, Calculators, Video Recorders, Lighting and Sound System, Digital Cameras, Video Cameras, Electronic Keyboards and Tape Recorders (cassette and CD). In addition to this, at Key Stage 2 children may have experience with the. Children work individually, in pairs and in groups. They are taught the basic computer safety and handling as a whole class. We want the children to enjoy ICT and develop self-esteem and confidence. We aim for them to understand the varied uses of ICT and to develop independence in their use and operation. To ensure progression throughout the school (in conjunction with the Software Map) children will be introduced to the basic skills of using the computers through the appropriate Schemes of Work. These form the school s scheme of work and ensure that all children have a breadth of experiences throughout the Key Stages. The ICT co-ordinator will plan the units to be undertaken each term and will then expect the teachers to plan specific activities to either undertake with the children themselves or to liaise with Teaching Assistants to ensure that they are aware of the skills to be taught. The Teaching Assistants will undertake the activities with appropriately sized groups on a timetabled basis. Teachers will either keep an ICT folder of examples of children s work and a record of which children have accessed the computers or will have easy access to the children s work through their personal folders. In the classroom, teachers will ensure that computers are available for use by the children at all times during the course of the day. Every effort will be made to make sure that computers in classrooms are used every day to support work in all aspects of the curriculum. Teachers will agree a timetable for the curriculum laptops/ict Suite to ensure they are used to the full. Classes will work co-operatively in order to use our ICT facilities to the full. Planning for ICT in a Skills Based Curriculum Teachers will use the Curriculum Handbook to inform the planning process whenever planning for ICT. The Curriculum Handbook contains the Long Term Framework for coverage of discrete ICT for each class. It also contains the planning process for each teacher to follow. ICT is taught through two approaches in our school. Firstly through discrete ICT units as laid out in the whole school long term framework and secondly through cross curricular aspects of ICT being taught within different learning areas. When planning the teaching of discrete ICT skills teachers identify the skills to be taught at medium term level on their Communication, Language and Literacy planning sheet. When planning for cross curricular ICT teachers use the skills ladders to identify opportunities for teaching ICT skills within the context of other learning areas. These are identified on the learning area sheets at medium term level. Teachers then decide when these skills are to be introduced/ developed with the children during the term and record this information on their termly planning grid.
The teachers then plan at short term level how the skills are to be introduced, what the children are going to do, the expected outcomes and how the children s learning and progress is to be measured. Every attempt should be made to ensure that ICT enhances cross curricular learning. Learning Platforms The children will be given access to Learning Platforms to extend their learning beyond the school for the purposes of setting homework. Consideration will be give to those children who may not have a computer/internet access at home. The ICT Suite The ICT Suite is available all day for the use of the children. It is timetabled for all classes including the Foundation Stage thus ensuring that all children can have regular access to the computers. The ICT Suite is managed by a Teaching Assistant who in consultation with the teachers, plans, delivers and assesses units of work with the children The School Web Site The school has its own website. It is regularly updated and parents are encouraged to access the site to keep informed of school activities. Children s work will be displayed on the website. ICT Clubs for Children The school runs ICT Clubs for children. These are co-ordinated by the ICT co-ordinator to provide relevant and meaningful activities for the children. Assessment for Learning ICT Passports will be used by the children for self assessment of ICT skills and are easily accessible by all teachers. Classroom Monitor will be regularly updated by Teachers/Teaching Assistants to assess, level and target children. Assessment for Learning (AFL) is used on a daily basis with the children. This takes the form of teacher discussion with the children, teacher and teaching assistant marking of children s work and the use of self and peer assessment. AFL is based on the success criteria for the lesson and informs the teacher as to the skills and knowledge gained by the children as well as the next steps to take them forward in their learning. AFL is used alongside a range of strategies to inform the teacher as to what level of attainment the children have reached. The children are encouraged to carry out Peer and Self assessment alongside daily teacher assessment for learning. It is essential that children receive regular assessment for learning on their progress so that they know the next steps for their learning. The feedback children receive should be based on the outcomes of the lesson and reflect achievement against the success criteria and the effort that the child has made. The child should be able to clearly understand the success of their learning and the amount of effort they have put in. This can be written or verbal depending on age, ability, activity and time available. Staff use of ICT All members of staff are encouraged to use the ICT facilities within school. There are at present 17 laptops available for use by all members of staff. These are available at all times and may be used at home to prepare for activities at school.
All 6 classes have access to Data Projectors which are linked to laptops and Interactive Whiteboards and the ICT Suite has been equipped with projectors and screens. The teachers regularly use the Data Projectors and Whiteboards to enhance their teaching and stimulate children s learning. The teaching staff are encouraged to plan using the ICT equipment available. All Schemes of Work are saved electronically and we are beginning to use Classroom Monitor for assessment. Appropriate and relevant training will be provided for all staff whenever possible. E-Safety E-Safety will be dealt with in accordance with the Staff E-Safety Policy and the Students E- Safety Policy. Teachers will regularly discuss with the children the necessity for staying safe when on the Internet and the safe use of Mobile Phone messaging. Children will be encouraged not to enter personal data via websites or phone messages without adult permission (Parents or Teachers). Cyber Bullying Teachers are aware of the need to make it clear to children that Cyber Bullying will not be tolerated either within school or at home. When necessary, parental support will be requested to ensure this target is adhered to. Internet/Photograph/Video Permission The school will on a regular basis update Agreements for children to access the internet, and school/visitors to photograph/video children in school or on school trips. ICT Development Plan Each year the ICT Co-ordinator will ensure that an ICT Development Plan is completed for the school. Safety Computers will be moved only by adults. The Laptop Safes will be unplugged, moved and plugged in by adults. Plugging in of all computers will only be undertaken by adults. We have regular safety checks on all hardware and electrical connections. ICT Co-ordinator s Role The ICT Co-ordinator will ensure that each member of staff is aware of this policy. They will review and update this policy in consultation with all members of staff. They will ensure that master discs are secure and not used (if back up copies can be made). They will offer support to any staff member who needs it. They will be aware of new developments in ICT and update software and hardware accordingly. They will monitor staff development and taking up of ICT courses by all staff. They will ensure equipment is maintained and repaired as needed. Review This policy will be reviewed annually. June 2013 Checked June 2014
Programs we use in school to encourage the development of ICT skills Areas of ICT R Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Communication Data Handling Clicker 5 Word Word Word Word Word Word Datasweet Datasweet Datasweet Excel Excel Excel Excel Investigations, adventures and simulations The following are programmes that can be used by staff to develop this aspect of ICT most are more relevant to Key Stage 1 but these could be used for individual children where appropriate. Others are most appropriate for Key Stage 2. There are many programmes on the Internet that can be used too. Sherston My Spelling Friend, ABC, 123, Magic Pencil, Phonic Clip Art, Izzy s Island, Literacy Box, Number Train. Aesthetics/Graphics Word Word Word Word Measurement and Control CD Rom/DVD and Internet Beebots Beebots World World World World The school has a number of CD ROMs/DVDs which can be used on the PCs we have but only with prior permission from Eswots. The school has access to the Internet through Internet Explorer. The school uses as a means of E-Mail World