Computing
At Bird in Bush School we follow the Purple Mash Scheme for the teaching of Computing. Leaders have chosen Purple Mash as it supports the development of pupil knowledge across a range of the skills needed for developing competencies and proficiencies for Computing, Coding and Online working. The scheme supports our Online safety policy and procedures which are at the heart of the school’s practice in this area.
The schematic approach starts in the Early Years (Reception) utilising from Mini Mash or Purple Mash as part of the Early Years classroom to support children in working towards early learning goals. From KS1, individual year group are provided with a systematic programme of study that builds on pupils’ knowledge and understanding, equipping them to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. This approach will ensure 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 range of overview documents detail the unit lessons for each year group and how this links to relevant national curriculum maps. Year group pages also contain assessment documents for these units
Intent:
The computing curriculum at Bird in Bush is designed to progressively develop children’s skills in computing. This takes place through combining both cross-curricular and discretely taught lessons. We aim to develop children’s computational thinking skills, knowledge of computer science concepts and application of digital literacy skills. Our children use information technology to create digital content that enables them to express themselves and develop their ideas as active participants in a digital world.
Underpinning our approach is a commitment to the teaching of how to use technology safely and respectfully. Learning and teaching within the computing curriculum empowers children to become digitally confident in their daily lives which helps to prepare them to become independent users of technology beyond the classroom.
Implementation:
Teachers at Bird in Bush have excellent computing subject knowledge as a result of high quality training and support from leaders. This enables them to plan engaging learning experiences that develop digital understanding and reasoning.
We have designed a computing curriculum that creates opportunities for skills to be applied across a wider range of subjects, giving pupils ample opportunities to practise and refine their skills. We use the ‘Everyone Can Code’ programme to support the computing curriculum we deliver. This ensures that there is a progression of knowledge and skills that the children can build on each year within the computer science aspects of the curriculum.
Impact:
Bird in Bush teachers’ high expectations, enthusiasm and passion about computing inspires and motivates pupil. As a result, pupils demonstrate excellent understanding of important concepts in all three strands of the computing curriculum and are able to make connections within the subject. They have highly developed transferable knowledge, skills and understanding. Teaching and learning empowers pupil to be content creators, not just content consumers. Pupils across the school show high levels of originality, imagination, creativity and innovation in their understanding and application of skills in computing.
Enrichment:
Children at Bird in Bush are given many enriching opportunities as part of the wider computing curriculum. Our after school club provision includes a coding club where children with interests in computer science are able to further pursue their passions with code and robotics. Relationships with local companies allow us to invite specialists in to meet with children and inspire them to consider a career in computing.