Computing

We have chosen the Purple Mash Computing Scheme of Work at William Byrd which supports our teachers in delivering fun and engaging lessons which help to raise standards and allow all pupils to achieve to their full potential. We are confident that the scheme of work more than adequately meets the national vision for Computing.

Intent

At William Byrd, we understand the immense value that technology plays not only in supporting the Computing and whole school curriculum but overall in the day-to-day life of our school. Our aim is to provide a broad and balanced curriculum whilst ensuring that pupils become digitally literate and digitally resilient are to fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum for Computing. Our Computing curriculum aims to complement our 5 Guiding Powers and equip our children to life in the digital as well as the real world, ensuring that pupils become digitally literate and digitally resilient. Technology is ever evolving and we aim to develop pupils who can use and express themselves, develop their ideas through, information and communication technology at a suitable level for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.

The aims of our Computing curriculum are to develop pupils who:

Are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.
Know how to keep themselves safe whilst using technology and on the internet and be able to minimise risk to themselves and others.
Become responsible, respectful and competent users of data, information and communication technology.
Can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems.
Can analyse problems in computational terms and have repeated practical experience writing computer programs in order to solve such problems.
Can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation.
Become digitally literate and are active participants in the digital world.
Are equipped with the capability to use technology throughout their lives.
Understand the importance of governance and legislation regarding how information is used, stored, created, retrieved, shared and manipulated.
Have a ‘can do’ attitude when engaging with technology and its associated resources.
Utilise computational thinking beyond the Computing curriculum.
Understand and follow the SMART E-Safety rules.
Understand the E-Safety messages can keep them safe online.
Know who to contact if they have concerns.
Apply their learning in a range of contexts, e.g. at school and at home.
Know where to locate the CEOP button and how to use it.

Implementation

We recognise that computing is a specialist subject and not all teachers are computing specialists. The Purple Mash scheme of work enables clear coverage of the computing curriculum whilst also providing CPD to support all teachers to deliver lessons. All teachers at our school are Purple Mash trained.

Computing is a foundation subject in the National Curriculum and at William Byrd, implementation of the computing curriculum is in line with 2014 Primary National Curriculum requirements for KS1 and KS2 and the Foundation Stage Curriculum in England. This provides a broad framework and outlines the knowledge and skills taught in each key stage. Computing teaching at William Byrd will deliver the requirements of the National Curriculum through weekly lessons taught in half-termly units.

Teachers plan using the Purple Mash scheme of work and Computing Progression Model 2019-20 which highlights the knowledge, skills and vocabulary for each year group and is progressive from year to year. Our Computing progression model is broken down into three strands that make up the computing curriculum. These are Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy. Our Computing Progression Model is supported by the Purple Mash scheme of work which we follow from Year 1-6, ensuring consistency and progression throughout the school. Repetition of a unit does not mean pupils are repeating an activity, it simply means pupils are building on established skills whilst also embedding previous concepts. 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.

Through our Purple Mash subscription, our teachers can deliver thematic, cross-curricular lessons that also follow children’s interests and provide flexibility. Purple Mash has an online portal of age-appropriate software, games and activities as well as topic materials and materials to support children’s learning in other subject areas for all key stages.

Impact

Monitoring standards of teaching and learning within Computing is the primary responsibility of the Computing Leader. All teachers are expected to keep an online portfolio or track children’s work using Purple Mash. This portfolio must contain work samples from the Computing curriculum taught for the year group.