Computing

Our computing curriculum at Nottingham Academy, supported by Purple Mash, aims to provide a rich and engaging foundation in digital literacy, coding, and computational thinking. Through a wide range of interactive tools and resources, we enable students to explore, create, and collaborate in a safe online environment. Our goal is to empower children to become confident, competent, and creative digital learners, while developing essential skills such as problem-solving, logical reasoning, and digital citizenship. Purple Mash allows us to offer differentiated, cross-curricular learning that supports students of all abilities, fostering an inclusive and adaptive approach to computing. By the end of their time at Nottingham Academy Primary, our pupils will have gained the knowledge and confidence to navigate the digital world responsibly and with curiosity.

Implementation

We use Purple Mash to deliver a high quality computing curriculum. This programme also offers vast opportunities to link computing across the curriculum. 

Our curriculum has three clear stands which are revisited across our curriculum design:

• Computer Science – Pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming.
•  Information Technology – Pupils are equipped to purposefully create programs, systems and a range of content in order to develop products and solutions. They will be able to collect, analyse, evaluate and present data and information.
•  Digital Literacy – Pupils are taught to use, access and express themselves through digital technology, including a critical understanding of technology’s impact on the individual and society, at a level suitable for the future and as active participants in a digital world.

E-safety:

We firmly believe in the importance of delivering a high-quality E-Safety curriculum, alongside the core values of the three stands. E-safety is taught explicitly throughout the computing curriculum and supports and consolidates the strong presence of E-safety within our PSHE curriculum. As technology develops, so does the need for a better understanding of how to use it responsibly. The education of E-safety is therefore essential, to ensure children are equipped with the skills to recognise risks online, to be critically aware of the materials and content they access online, along with guidance on how to access support, if needed. At Nottingham Academy, we strive to engage parents and carers with the importance of safe and responsible behaviour online and provide information to parents around how to keep their children safe online. 

• Teachers use ‘Purple Mash’ as a scheme to support their planning and delivery, which caters for all children, including those with SEND and from disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Each year, children are taught the three main components of computing (Computer Science, Digital Literacy and Information Technology). This allows children to build on and progress from their previous experiences, developing their skills, vocabulary and understanding, in order to be active, responsible digital participants.
• Pupils participate in weekly computing lessons where teachers set '2do' tasks to allow children time to work independently and practice the skills taught.
• Teachers follow the long-term plans which have been carefully designed to consider a progressive sequence of learning from EYFS to Year 6. 
• Pupils have the opportunity to access Purple Mash within other curriculum subjects in order to support and enhance their learning and to apply a range of computing skills within another curriculum area. 
• Children are given the opportunity to showcase their learning in other curriculum areas using the templates provided on Purple Mash. 

Impact

• At the end of each term, teachers will make a judgement on whether pupils are 'developing', 'expected' or 'mastering' on the objectives set. This will also provide information for the subject leader and will be submitted for analysis to track and monitor achievement and progress and the impact that this has had.
• Evidence of progression and achievement will be seen in examples of pupils’ work stored on Purple Mash.
• As a result of effective implementation, pupils will be able to apply their skills and knowledge in other areas of learning-for example, through using templates on Purple Mash to showcase work in other areas of the curriculum.
• Pupils will be able to share their knowledge of how to be a responsible user of technology through discussion when questioned.
• They will be prepared for the next stage in their lives, knowing how to be a responsible user of technology in the wider world and most importantly, know where to seek support.
• Pupils will be familiar with and will discuss their understanding of the three main strands and will know key vocabulary associated with these.
• Confidence in this subject will also mean that pupils are able to be more independent and competent in life skills such as problem-solving and logical thinking.