Computing

It is our intention to provide a broad, inspiring, and inclusive computing curriculum that ensures all children develop the essential skills, knowledge, and understanding to navigate the digital world with confidence, creativity, and responsibility. Through the use of Purple Mash, our chosen teaching platform, we aim to equip children with the skills necessary for life in a digital society. The teaching of computing reflects our school’s core values of Caring Citizens, Courageous Communicators, and Cooperative Learners.

Caring Citizens (care):

• Fostering caring citizens who are mindful of their online behaviour and the role technology plays in their personal lives and communities. We teach children to use technology responsibly and understand its impact on themselves and others.
• Promoting digital citizenship: children will be taught to make safe, respectful, and responsible choices when using technology. We will focus on understanding online safety, cyberbullying, privacy, and the ethical implications of digital actions.
• Developing empathy and social responsibility: children will be encouraged to think about the broader impact of technology on communities and the environment. We will explore topics such as digital footprints, online relationships, and how technology can contribute to positive societal change.
• Well-being and mental health: we will integrate well-being initiatives into the curriculum, teaching students about the balance between the digital world and offline life. Purple Mash’s 2Design and 2Make encourages students to think about how technology can improve lives and support global sustainability.

Courageous Communicators (courage):

• Equipping students to be courageous communicators who can confidently express themselves through digital mediums and collaborate with others in virtual spaces.
• Developing digital communication skills: through the various tools in Purple Mash, such as 2Blog and 2Email, children will learn how to effectively communicate their ideas through writing, visuals, and multimedia. We aim to provide students with the confidence to share their thoughts in the digital space.
• Creative Coding: Purple Mash’s 2Code module allows children to learn programming through a fun, accessible interface. By developing coding skills, children will have the courage to experiment with new ideas, take risks, and understand that making mistakes is part of the learning process.
• Oracy through digital media: we will emphasize the importance of clear, concise, and respectful communication in the digital world. Through digital presentations, video creation, and coding projects, children will learn how to present their ideas confidently and effectively.

Cooperative Learners (cooperation):

• Encouraging cooperative learners who work together, share ideas, and solve problems collaboratively, both in the classroom and the digital world.
• Collaborative projects: children will engage in collaborative activities using Purple Mash tools, such as shared projects in 2Do and 2Create a Story. Working in teams, they will apply their knowledge and skills to solve challenges together, learning the value of teamwork and communication.
• Peer learning: encouraging peer-to-peer teaching and feedback will be a key part of our Computing curriculum. Students will share their projects, offer constructive feedback, and learn from each other’s successes and mistakes, promoting a culture of cooperative learning.
• Problem-solving with technology: Purple Mash’s problem-solving activities, including coding tasks and game design challenges, require children to work together to overcome obstacles and develop solutions, reinforcing the importance of collaboration and critical thinking in technology.