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Computing

At Victoria Road Primary School computing is taught through the Purple Mash programme of study (a link to this can be found below). Through the use of a wide range of technologies children develop their understanding of E-Safety, Computer Science, Digital Productivity, Digital Creativity and Digital Citizenship. As part of our whole school creative curriculum approach Computing and the use of technology is embedded throughout many subjects to enhance children's experience. 

Intent: Why do we teach what we teach?

At Victoria Road Primary School and Nursery, we believe that every child has the right to a curriculum that enables them to be a global citizen in an ever-changing world. We understand the immense value that technology plays in the day to day lives of our children and families and the importance of giving them the knowledge and skills to not only access technology safely, but use it to better their lives and the lives of those around them. At Victoria Road Primary School, children will;

  • Be taught with the aim to meet the National Curriculum Objectives for their year group
  • Gain a toolkit of skills to enable them to access a range of technologies.
  • Develop a good understanding of Computer Science, how technology and computer networks work and the develop the skills to work within this field.
  • Be immersed in Information Technology so that they are confident and competent users in the everyday skills needed to use the most common technologies. Children will know the range, scope and options available to them to inform their choices of hardware and software.
  • Become Digital Citizens through a rigorous Online Safety curriculum that lets children know the dangers they can face online and the tools needed to minimise the impact of digital incidents on their lives.

Please see the document Computing Progression of Knowledge and Skills for a detailed overview.

Implementation: What do we teach and when?

As a school, we have chosen to use the Purple Mash scheme of learning to meet the needs of our children. The scheme was chosen because it eliminated barriers accessing the curriculum. The programme of study is deliverable entirely online, on any device and is even accessible at home. This eliminates the need for a range of expensive software/hardware requirements and allows children to carry on their learning and follow their interests after the school day is over.

A spiralised curriculum approach ensures children revisit aspects of their learning so that skills and knowledge are embedded over time.  There is also an included crash course, meaning that both new children and new staff to the school can quickly diminish the difference with their peers by quickly gaining the skills and knowledge that underpin their current learning.

The curriculum promotes practical learning, whether it is in front of a computer or in other hands on ways. Opportunities for enrichment are provided through strong STEM links and events within the city and through links with external professionals.

The holistic development of children is supported through a strong focus on online health and wellbeing and practical applications of their learn. Strong thematic links means that children use their knowledge from other subject areas to enhance their learning in Computing.

Impact: How children show that they know and remember more?

Children are assessed against the national curriculum and skills maps throughout the year. This assessment is made based on observations of the children’s skills, completed submissions of learning at the end of a unit and a teacher’s overall judgement of a child’s aptitude. Children who do not meet the expected standard can be put through the crash course of learning to help support their development within the subject. The knowledge and skills taught can be applied in different contexts throughout the year, with teachers able to set 2Do tasks for children to complete so that they can assess if children’s learning has been embedded.

 

Knowledge and Skills Progression Map

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