Computing

At Cranmore Infant School, we aim, through computing to ensure that every child leaves our schools with the skills and capabilities to use technology confidently in all aspects of their learning life. Technology is everywhere and will play a pivotal part in our children’s lives in the future. Therefore, we will model and educate our children on how to use technology positively and safely.

Our computing curriculum (Purple Mash) follows the National Curriculum for Computing.

It is designed to help us deliver a rich and engaging computing curriculum. It provides ready-made content, interactive digital tools, and creative software that allow children to explore coding,digital literacy, and information technology in a safe online environment.

What We Teach

Our Computing curriculum covers these three key strands:

Information Technology – Understanding algorithms, programming, and how digital systems work..
Digital Literacy - Understanding algorithms, programming, and how digital systems work.
Computer Science - Understanding algorithms, programming, and how digital systems work.

Children learn to ask questions, input and interpret data, and understand how computers work and can be used. We ensure progression in knowledge and skills across year groups, building a strong foundation for future learning.

Children learn to:

Write and debug simple programs.
Use logical reasoning to predict and explain outcomes.
Evaluate digital content and use search technologies effectively.
Stay safe online and know how to report concerns.

We ensure progression in knowledge and skills across year groups, building a strong foundation for future learning.

How We Teach

Computing is taught through:

Weekly sessions with practical, hands-on activities using a range of devices and software.

Cross-curricular links e.g. research projects
Opportunities to explore real-world applications of computing.

Lessons are sequenced to build on prior learning and include both unplugged activities and digital tasks.

Online Safety

Purple Mash covers each strand from the Education for a Connected World framework, to help children navigate the online world safely. It is s a key part of our computing and PSHE curriculum. We teach children how to use technology responsibly and safely, both in school and at home.

Our approach includes:

A focused Online Safety Day each year, including Safer Internet Day activities.
Ongoing integration of online safety messages throughout the computing and wider curriculum areas.

We work in partnership with parents and carers to promote safe and responsible use of technology. Updating regularly with advice and information for a variety of digital ‘top tips’ as technology is changing so rapidly. The website has a dedicated area with a variety of relevant resources to inform parents.

What Children Learn and How We Assess

Children develop confidence in using technology and understanding how it works. They learn to:

Use computing vocabulary confidently.
Solve problems computationally.
Create purposeful digital content.
Communicate ideas effectively using technology.
Interpret and present information using diagrams, and data.

Assessment includes:

Observation and questioning during lessons.

Pupils demonstrating their skills and knowledge through specific in-built a tools and self-marking quizzes.

Review of digital work and programming tasks.
End-of-unit tasks and knowledge checks.
Pupil voice and self-assessment to reflect on learning.
Work scrutiny to monitor progression

This helps us ensure pupils are making progress and developing secure computing knowledge and skills so that they are well-prepared for future learning

We use the Purple Mash Computing scheme of work to teach Computing.

Click here to log in

Online Safety is an important part of the learning and teaching and is interwoven into our curriculum.

Online Safety Progression in the Scheme of Work - Click here

We also have dedicated days to digital literacy in the year and assemblies on E-Safety

It is important to keep up to date with the ever changing digital world - We have a dedicated website area to support you and your child to stay safe online -Click here for further information and support

When each year group starts their Purple Mash journey the unit start with Online Safety. The children are spoken to about AUP - Acceptable User policy and discuss what is appropriate etiquette online and how to keep safe.

Purple Mash have AUP forms the children sign and Parents too for home learning

The children have specific vocabulary they learn in relation to the units in class.

These are the knowledge organisers which go alongside the units the children learn in class

Useful documents about computing in school