Intent
At our school, we believe that technology plays a vital role in preparing children for life in an increasingly digital world. Through our computing curriculum, we provide all children with opportunities to explore technology, develop essential digital skills, and gain a thorough understanding of how to use technology safely, responsibly and positively. This links closely to our school values and promotes confidence, resilience and respect in both online and offline environments.
Our computing curriculum is supported by Purple Mash, which provides a progressive and engaging scheme of learning. Through the lessons, pupils develop their knowledge and skills in computer science, information technology and digital literacy, building secure foundations for future learning and participation in the modern world.
The breadth of our computing curriculum is designed with four key goals in mind:
- To develop confident, responsible and safe digital citizens who understand how to use technology appropriately, communicate effectively online and keep themselves and others safe.
- To provide rich cultural capital and meaningful technological experiences, ensuring that all pupils can access and engage with a wide range of digital tools, software and real-world applications.
- To deliver a coherent, progressive and ambitious computing curriculum, supported by Purple Mash, which enables all pupils to acquire and apply knowledge, skills and vocabulary over time, leading to sustained mastery and deeper understanding.
- To inspire creativity, problem-solving and computational thinking, enabling pupils to become independent learners who can use technology purposefully to create, innovate and overcome challenges.
Through carefully planned learning opportunities, we aim to ensure that every child leaves our school equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to thrive in an ever-changing digital society.
Implementation
Our Computing curriculum is delivered through the Purple Mash Computing Scheme, which provides a comprehensive, progressive and engaging programme of study aligned with the National Curriculum. Purple Mash ensures that pupils develop knowledge and skills across the three strands of computing: Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy.
Lessons are carefully sequenced so that children build upon prior learning and develop increasing confidence and independence as they move through the school. Through a combination of teacher-led instruction, practical activities and creative projects, pupils learn to apply their skills in meaningful and purposeful contexts.
We deliver our Computing curriculum through:
- A progressive Purple Mash curriculum that maps learning from Reception to Year 6, ensuring clear progression in knowledge, skills and vocabulary.
- Regular computing lessons that develop understanding of programming, coding, data handling, digital media, online communication and technology in the wider world.
- Online safety education embedded throughout the curriculum and reinforced through dedicated lessons, assemblies and awareness events, helping pupils to become safe, responsible and respectful digital citizens.
- Cross-curricular opportunities where technology is used to enhance learning across subjects, enabling children to apply their digital skills in authentic contexts.
- Practical, hands-on experiences using a range of devices, software and digital tools that encourage creativity, collaboration, problem-solving and computational thinking.
- Retrieval and assessment opportunities that allow teachers to monitor progress, identify misconceptions and ensure knowledge is retained over time.
- Adaptive teaching strategies that ensure all pupils can access the curriculum and achieve success while providing challenge for those ready to deepen their understanding.
Through the Purple Mash platform, pupils create digital content, develop coding skills, analyse data, communicate effectively and learn how technology impacts the world around them. This enables children to become confident, competent and responsible users of technology who are well prepared for the next stage of their education and for life in an increasingly digital society.
In the Early Years children are exposed to different technology, including toys, tablets and Beebots and how these work, through child initiated time. They also develop skills of communication, which is then built on in Key Stage 1 using computers.
Impact
The impact of our Computing curriculum is seen in the growing confidence, knowledge and skills that children develop throughout Key Stage 1. Through the structured and progressive Purple Mash curriculum, pupils build strong foundations in computing and digital literacy, preparing them for future learning and enabling them to use technology safely and purposefully.
By the end of Key Stage 1, pupils will:
- Understand that technology is part of everyday life and be able to identify different forms of technology around them.
- Use technology with increasing confidence to create, organise, save and retrieve digital content.
- Begin to develop computational thinking skills through coding, predicting outcomes and simple debugging activities.
- Show curiosity and creativity when using digital tools to solve problems and create digital content.
- Use key computing vocabulary appropriate to their age and stage of development.
- Understand the importance of staying safe online and know basic ways to keep themselves safe when using technology.
- Demonstrate positive attitudes towards technology, showing independence, resilience and perseverance when faced with challenges.
- Be equipped with the fundamental knowledge and skills needed for further computing learning in Key Stage 2.
We measure the impact of our Computing curriculum through:
- Teacher observations and ongoing formative assessment.
- Children’s work and outcomes within Purple Mash.
- Discussions with pupils that demonstrate understanding of key concepts and vocabulary.
- Opportunities for children to apply computing skills independently across the wider curriculum.
- Monitoring by subject leaders, including work scrutiny and pupil voice activities.
As a result, children develop as enthusiastic and responsible users of technology. They leave Key Stage 1 with secure foundations in computing, an understanding of online safety, and the confidence to continue their digital learning journey as they move into Key Stage 2.
SEND in Computing
We are committed to ensuring that all pupils, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), can access and succeed in Computing. Lessons are adapted to meet individual needs through appropriate scaffolding, adaptive teaching strategies, visual supports, practical activities and adult guidance where required. The use of Purple Mash provides engaging and accessible learning opportunities that allow pupils to work at their own pace and demonstrate their understanding in different ways. Our inclusive approach ensures that every child can develop confidence, independence and enjoyment in using technology while making progress from their individual starting points. All children also can access Purple Mash from home and so this can be used to revisit ideas and activities to secure understanding even further.
