Welcome to the Computing page! Here you will find lots of information about the exciting Computing curriculum. 

Click on the link below to access Purple Mash at home.

Intent

Technology is changing the lives of everyone. Through teaching computing at St Joseph’s we equip our children to participate in a rapidly changing world where work and leisure activities are increasingly transformed by technology. 

E-safety plays an integral role in keeping children safe and confident to use online technology respectfully and responsibly. Each time the children log into a computer, they are reminded of the SMART policy and are made aware of actions they must take if they feel unsafe. As a school, we take part in e-safety sessions at the beginning of each academic year and also participate in International Safer Internet Day.

It is our intention to enable children to find, explore, analyse and present information in a variety of ways. We also focus on developing the skills necessary for children to be able to use information, technology and the internet in an effective way. 

Implementation

At St Josephs, the children are designated one lesson of Computing learning a week and have access to a variety of hardware and software such as IPads, Chromebooks and PCs for both their stand-alone computing lesson and for cross-curricular purposes. In addition, homework is set weekly using Google Classroom, each child has their own log in details to access learning from home.

From Year 1-6 we use Purple Mash as a cohesive scheme of work addressing the statutory aspects of the National Curriculum. Computing is branched into three aspects: Computer Science; Information Technology; and Digital Literacy, so that our pupils are set a relevant, challenging continuum of age-related skills and knowledge for their own year group.

Pupils will be taught to:

• Design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts.
• Use sequence, selection and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output; generate appropriate inputs and predicted outputs to test programs.
• Use logical reasoning to explain how a simple algorithm works and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs.
• Understand computer networks including the internet; how they can provide multiple services, such as the world-wide web; and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration.
• Describe how internet search engines find and store data; use search engines effectively; be discerning in evaluating digital content; respect individuals and intellectual property; use technology responsibly, securely and safely.
• Select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to accomplish given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating, and presenting data and information

In Early Years, one of the ways we are teaching the pupils about the language and concepts associated with computer programming is by using Bee Bots, which are simple programmable robots. The children are also exposed to a variety of hardware and software within their setting such as programmes on the interactive whiteboard, IPad apps and Mini Mash which is a branch of Purple Mash specifically designed for the EYFS curriculum.

Impact

The implementation of this curriculum ensures that when children leave St Joseph’s, they are competent and safe users of ICT with an understanding of how technology works. We encourage our children to enjoy and value the curriculum that we deliver. Fundamentally, we ask the ‘why’ and not just the ‘how’ to explore the depth of each objective within a stimulating environment that encourages children to discuss, reflect and appreciate the impact that Computing has on their learning, development and wellbeing. Finding the right balance with technology is key to an effective education and a healthy lifestyle. We feel the way that we implement Computing within cross-curricular channels at St Joseph’s helps children realise the need for the right balance and one they can build on in their next stage of education and beyond. We encourage regular discussions between staff and pupils to best embed and understand this. The way pupils showcase, share, celebrate and publish their work will best show the impact of our curriculum. We look for positive impact through observing learning regularly, early intervention where necessary and reviewing pupil’s digital skills through tools across Purple Mash. Progress of our Computing curriculum is measured through outcomes and the record of coverage through work saved in pupils’ personal document folders.

Below are some key documents about Computing in our school. You can look at these to see what you will be learning about next.

Computing Curriculum Overview

Skills Progression Map

Fun Computing Websites

Coding Sites

Scratch

Hour of Code

Blocky Games

E-safety Sites (For grown ups)

Childnet

NSPCC

Internet Matters

E-safety Sites (For kids)

Play Interland

Think U Know

PUPIL CORNER

What pupils say about computing...

"We love computing with Mrs Wall" (Y3)

"The chromebooks are cool and we can do all our work on them" (Y2)

"If we feel unsafe we should tell a parent, a teacher, trusted carer or the police." (Y6)

"Mrs Davies lets use play and write on the whiteboard" (Reception)