"Programming is a skill best acquired through practice and example rather than from books"
Alan Turing
Through our computing curriculum, we want all our children to be digitally literate - be able to use, and express themselves and develop ideas through, information and communication technology at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world. We would like them to be able to understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, analyse problems in computational terms, evaluate and apply information technology and be responsible, competent and creative users of information and communication technology. Throughout our computing curriculum we remain mindful of safety issues and support children in understanding how they can keep themselves safe and keep a positive self-image in the light of increasing social media advances.
At our school, we use the Purple Mash Computing Scheme of Work to deliver an engaging, progressive, and comprehensive computing curriculum from EYFS to Year 6. The scheme is fully aligned with the National Curriculum and develops children's knowledge, skills, and understanding across the three key areas of Computing:
- Computer Science – coding, algorithms, programming, robotics, and computational thinking.
- Information Technology – creating digital content, using spreadsheets, databases, multimedia tools, and understanding how technology works.
- Digital Literacy – using technology safely, responsibly, and effectively, including online safety and digital citizenship.
The Purple Mash curriculum provides a clear progression of skills and knowledge across all year groups, ensuring pupils build confidence and competence in an increasingly digital world. Lessons are interactive, practical, and creative, allowing children to apply their learning through hands-on activities and real-world problem-solving.
Computing lessons are taught weekly in class. We have a set of IPads and Laptops and these are used effectively to support the programs being used in class.
A key element of our computing curriculum is online safety. Through Purple Mash's online safety resources, pupils learn how to stay safe online, protect their personal information, communicate respectfully, recognise potential risks and know what to do if they encounter something that worries them. Online safety is taught regularly and progressively across all year groups, helping children become responsible, confident and informed digital citizens. Online safety is also taught through PSHE lessons and assemblies
Through Purple Mash, pupils learn to become responsible digital citizens, creative thinkers, and confident users of technology, preparing them for the next stage of their education and for life in the modern world
Enriching the currriculum
This year, our year 6 children had the opportunity to take part in a STEM project delivered by Skewb Climate. In this project, the children took on the role of an RAF disaster relief team member tasked with providing aid to an area devastated by an earthquake. Working as a team the children used and refined their STEM skills to complete various tasks. Could they use their geography knowledge to navigate the terrain to find civilians in need of help? Were they be able to calculate how much aid cargo is needed using maths? Please see the slideshow below. All the children worked really well together and the team delivering the project were very impressed with the children's skills.