Computing at St Michael’s CE Primary School

Intent

At St Michael’s CE Primary School, our vision is to “Create a community where we learn together through respect, kindness, curiosity and faith.” Computing makes an important contribution to this vision by equipping children with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to participate confidently, creatively and safely in an increasingly digital world.

We recognise the ever-increasing role technology plays in our lives and believe that all children should have opportunities to develop the digital skills they need to succeed. Our aim is to develop pupils who are digitally literate, resilient and responsible, with the confidence to explore new technologies, solve problems and apply their learning in a range of contexts.

Curiosity is central to our Computing curriculum. We encourage children to investigate, experiment, ask questions and develop logical approaches to problem-solving. Through programming, creating digital content and understanding how technology works, pupils learn to think critically, persevere when faced with challenges and take pride in their achievements.

Our values of respect and kindness are particularly important when learning about online safety and digital citizenship. We want children to understand that their actions online can have a real impact on others. Pupils are taught to communicate respectfully, recognise inappropriate behaviour, protect their personal information and make responsible choices when using digital technology.

As a church school, we encourage children to consider how their knowledge and skills can be used positively and responsibly. We want them to understand the importance of treating others with dignity, making thoughtful choices and using technology to learn, communicate and contribute to the wider community.

We use the Purple Mash Computing scheme of work from Year 1 to Year 6 to support the delivery of an engaging, ambitious and progressive curriculum. Through this, we aim to ensure that all pupils, regardless of their starting points, develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to flourish in the digital world.

Implementation

Computing is taught through the Purple Mash curriculum, which provides a structured progression of knowledge and skills from Year 1 to Year 6 and supports coverage of the National Curriculum. Learning is organised around the three key areas of computer science, information technology and digital literacy, ensuring that pupils revisit and build upon their understanding throughout their time at St Michael’s.

In the Early Years Foundation Stage, children begin to develop their understanding of technology through age-appropriate opportunities to explore devices, use iPads, take photographs and interact with computers and interactive screens in line with the screentime guidance. These experiences support children's curiosity, problem-solving and developing understanding of how technology can be used to communicate and create.

As pupils move through the school, they develop their understanding of programming, algorithms, data, digital systems and the creation and communication of digital content. They learn to use a range of applications and tools, applying their knowledge to increasingly complex tasks and developing independence in their use of technology.

Children have access to a class set of Chromebooks and iPadss to support practical learning. Opportunities to use technology are also encouraged across the wider curriculum, enabling pupils to apply and consolidate their Computing skills in meaningful contexts. This helps children understand how technology can support research, communication, creativity and the presentation of learning.

Online safety and responsible digital citizenship are integral to our curriculum. Through dedicated Purple Mash units and links with our PSHE curriculum, children learn how to stay safe online, protect their privacy, identify potential risks and respond appropriately to concerns. Digital wellbeing is also explored, helping pupils develop an understanding of healthy and balanced technology use.

We teach children to demonstrate respect and kindness online, recognising the importance of their digital footprint and the consequences of their choices. We also seek to support parents and carers in helping children stay safe and make responsible decisions when using technology beyond school.

Staff receive ongoing professional development to strengthen subject knowledge and keep their practice responsive to developments in the digital world. This supports consistent teaching, effective assessment and the delivery of an ambitious curriculum that meets the needs of all learners.

Impact

By the end of their time at St Michael’s, we want pupils to have developed the knowledge, skills and confidence to use technology creatively, effectively and responsibly. They should be equipped to approach new technologies with curiosity, solve problems independently and understand how digital systems influence the world around them.

Pupils will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of computer science, including algorithms, programming and how digital systems work.

• Use a range of digital tools and applications to create, organise, store, retrieve and communicate information.

• Apply their Computing skills across the wider curriculum and in different contexts.

• Approach challenges with curiosity, logical thinking and perseverance, learning from mistakes and refining their ideas.

• Demonstrate an understanding of online safety, including protecting personal information, recognising risks and knowing how to seek help.

• Communicate respectfully and kindly online, understanding their responsibilities as digital citizens.

• Make thoughtful and informed decisions about technology use, including their digital wellbeing.

• Recognise how technology can be used positively to support learning, creativity, communication and the wider community.

Ultimately, we want our pupils to leave St Michael’s as confident, curious and responsible digital citizens, equipped to use technology safely and purposefully and to make a positive contribution to an increasingly digital society.

Assessment and Monitoring

We evaluate the impact of our Computing curriculum through a range of assessment and monitoring approaches:

• Ongoing teacher assessment of pupils’ knowledge, skills and understanding during lessons, informing next steps and additional support where needed.

• Reviewing work saved on Purple Mash to evaluate pupils’ progress and the application of taught skills.

• Monitoring progress against learning objectives, with attainment recorded on OTrack at the end of the summer term.

• Pupil and teacher voice to evaluate confidence, engagement, subject knowledge and the effectiveness of the curriculum.

• Using assessment information to identify areas for further development and opportunities to revisit learning through cross-curricular teaching.

These approaches help us ensure that pupils make progress throughout their time at St Michael’s and develop the knowledge, skills and responsible attitudes they need to flourish in the digital world.