Intent

At Holy Family, our pupils receive a broad and balanced computing curriculum which will enable them to become effective digital citizens in an ever changing world. 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. Its impact on the lives of individuals continues to grow day by day. We also recognise that Computing is an important tool in both the society we live in and in the process of teaching and learning. Our vision is for all our staff and pupils to gain the appropriate skills, knowledge and understanding to have the confidence and capability to use Computing throughout their lives.

Implementation

To ensure high standards of teaching and learning in computing, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school.  At Holy Family, Computing is taught by a specialist teacher, which ensures children are able to develop depth in their knowledge and skills over the duration of each of their computing topics. The skills are taught through the Purple Mash scheme of work which we follow from Year 1-6, ensuring consistency and progression throughout the school.  Where possible, links are made across the curriculum to further motivate the pupils and embed the learning.

The implementation of the curriculum also ensures a balanced coverage of the three main areas of the computing curriculum: computer science (programming and understanding how digital systems work), information technology (using computer systems to store, retrieve and send information) and digital literacy (evaluating digital content and using technology safely and respectfully). The objectives within each strand support the development of learning across the key stages, ensuring a solid grounding for future learning and beyond.

The children will have experiences of all three strands in each year group, but the subject knowledge imparted becomes increasingly specific and in depth, with more complex skills being taught, thus ensuring that learning is built upon. For example, children in Key Stage 1 learn what algorithms are, which leads them to the design stage of programming in Key Stage 2, where they design, write and debug programs, explaining the thinking behind their algorithms. 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. Purple Mash also 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.

Pupils at Holy Family are fully encouraged to engage with ICT and technology outside of school through the extended use of Purple Mash learning at home where they can deepen their learning from the lesson, tackle new problems and work with their parents on their own computing interests.

Throughout the curriculum esafety is at the forefront, incorporated into each lesson, taught as a half termly block, discussed in PSHE Assemblies and lessons and highlighted to parents through the Parent Online Safety Newsletter and parent workshops.