ST MICHAEL'S C OF E PRIMARY ACADEMY

Computing

Intent 

At St. Michael's CE Primary Academy, we want pupils to be independent, forward thinkers of technology and not passive learners. Technology is ubiquitous and will play a pivotal role shaping and influencing pupils’ lives. Therefore, we aim to model and educate our pupils’ on how to use technology safely. 

When teaching computing, we equip children with the skills required to use computers effectively to enable them to maximise their potential. To do so, we deploy teaching strategies through the Purple Mash scheme of work that promotes resilience, independence, critical thinking, communication skills and problem solving.

We deliver a broad curriculum which encourages a love of learning for children within a progressive sequence. We want our pupils to understand that there is always a choice when accessing technology, and as a school, in particular with ‘social media’ - we aim to model positive use. We understand that preventative methods of online/ social media misuse can be addressed through education, embedded within our school rules of a) Treat others as you want to be treated, and b) Try your best in everything that you do.

By the time pupils leave our school, they will have gained key knowledge and skills in the three main areas of the computing curriculum: 

1. Computer science - programming and understanding how digital systems work
2. Information technology - using computer systems to store, retrieve and send information
3. Digital literacy  - evaluating digital content and using technology safely and respectfully

Implementation 

We believe that children should be using computers from an early age to help improve their skills when navigating and using devices. Across the school, from Reception through to Year 6, children have access to Chromebooks. 

We believe that a clear and effective scheme of work that provides coverage in line with the National Curriculum is essential to meet the requirements of our children in order for them to thrive. To ensure that children are being exposed to high-quality lessons focusing on the skills and knowledge required to be successful ‘computational thinkers’, our curriculum is largely based on the Purple Mash scheme of work.

Purple Mash ensures that all key areas of the computing curriculum are taught and revisited during a child's primary school years. This allows our children to build on their learning year after year, building on their vocabulary and to also practice skills where they may not be as confident and likewise, progress their knowledge and skills even further.

The Purple Mash scheme of work enables clear coverage of the computing curriculum whilst also providing support and CPD for less confident teachers to deliver lessons.

Units are practical and engaging and allow computing lessons to be hands on. Units cover a broad range of computing components such as coding, spreadsheets, Internet and Email, Databases, Communication networks, touch typing, animation and online safety.

Computing lessons also incorporate the use of Purple Mash software to ‘make music’ using the 2Sequence program, design and make using the 2Animate software and make links with Maths through spreadsheets using 2Calculate.

Pupils  are fully encouraged to engage with ICT and technology outside of school. Each teacher and pupil at has their own unique Purple Mash login and password. Computing work can be stored and saved using pupil log in details and homework or ‘2do’s’ can also be set for pupils to access and complete tasks at home that link with their current class learning.

Computing and safeguarding go hand in hand and a we provide a huge focus on online safety throughout the course of the year. Additional to all pupils studying an online safety unit through their computing lessons, all pupils are taught about online safety via SLT-led safeguarding assemblies. 

Impact

Our Computing Curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression and build on and embed current skills. We focus on progression of knowledge and skills in the different computational components and alike other subjects discreet vocabulary progression also form part of the units of work.

We measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:

• Pupil discussions and interviewing the pupils about their learning (pupil voice)
• Monitoring with our subject computing lead 
• Photo evidence and images of the pupils practical learning
• A reflection on standards achieved against the planned outcomes
• Learning walks and reflective staff feedback (teacher voice)
• Dedicated Computing leader time
• Monitoring of children’s work

Online Safety 

Click here to learn more about online safety. 

Key Documents 

Skills Progression 

Purple Mash Scheme of Work