Computing

At Gossey Lane school, we believe in order to develop children into leaders and innovators of tomorrow, our children must be equipped with the range of skills for the 21st century. We are also aware that children come to school as ‘digital natives.’

Douglas Adams' quote on digital literacy

‘Everything that’s already in the world when you’re born is just normal.’

Our Intent

A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.

The use of information and communication technology is an integral part of the national curriculum and is a key skill for everyday life. Computers, tablets, programmable robots, digital and video cameras are a few of the tools that can be used to acquire, organise, store, manipulate, interpret, communicate and present information. We recognise that pupils are entitled to quality hardware and software and a structured and progressive approach to the learning of the skills needed to enable them to use it effectively.

Purple Mash Login

From Year One upwards, we use Purple Mash as a cohesive scheme of work addressing the statutory aspects of the National Curriculum. As a school, we believe in delivering fun and engaging lessons which help to raise standards and allow all pupils to achieve to their full potential which in turn works in synergy with our Curriculum Intent. 

Purple Mash School believes that every child should have the right to a curriculum that champions excellence; supporting pupils in achieving to the very best of their abilities. We understand the immense value technology plays not only in supporting the Computing and whole school curriculum but overall in the day-to-day life of our school. We believe that technology can provide: enhanced collaborative learning opportunities; better engagement of pupils; easier access to rich content; support conceptual understanding of new concepts and can support the needs of all our pupils.

Key Stage 1

  • Understand what algorithms are, how they are implemented as programs on digital devices, and that programs execute by following a sequence of instructions.
  • Write and test simple programs.
  • Organise, store, manipulate and retrieve data in a range of digital formats.
  • Communicate safely and respectfully online, keeping personal information private, and recognise common uses of information technology beyond school.

Key Stage 2

  • Design and write 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.

To view our curriculum map see below: 

Purple mash curriculum map page 001

Purple mash curriculum map page 002

Purple mash curriculum map page 003 1

Years 1- 6 progression of Knowledge and Skills 

Computing Overview of Units 2023-2024

Computing subject on a page gossey lane