Computing
At Diamond Wood Community Academy we believe that a strong computing knowledge will help children when using technology in everyday life.
Throughout school we use a range of technology for children to learn and progress in different ways. Children will use these different pieces of technology from starting in Nursery all the way through to Year 2.
Using the scheme Purple Mash has helped support children’s learning of the different areas within Computing. Children will use this scheme to play games as well as enjoying different activities, such as pictograms and learning to operate safely online. Using the different pieces of technology as well as using the scheme develops children’s confidence in working online and being independent to complete different activities and tasks.
When leaving school children should be able to operate safely and independently on technology such as laptops and Ipads while also completing different tasks.
Click here to see our whole school, Medium Term Plan for Computing.
Computing Intent
At Diamond Wood Community Academy we understand that technology is changing the lives of everyone. Through teaching computing we equip our children to participate in a rapidly changing world where work and leisure activities are increasingly transformed by technology. It is our intention to enable children to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information. We also focus on developing the skills necessary for children to be able to use information in an effective way. We believe that computing skills are a major factor in enabling children to be confident, creative and independent learners and it is our intention that children have every opportunity available to allow them to achieve this.
Diamond Wood Community Academy serves a community where 98% of the children have English as an additional language. Language and ‘hands on’, practical experiences are therefore at the heart of all that we do and is an integral part to our teaching of Computing. By the time children leave us at the end of Year 2, we want them to be able to confidently access and use a range of technological devices and programmes, and understand how to do so safely.
We pride ourselves on providing our children with as many meaningful experiences as possible during their time with us. Children are introduced to different devices and technological skills each half term and these are progressively built upon each year.
Our overall curriculum is topic based, however Computing is explicitly taught. It is a skills based subject and therefore may sometimes be a stand-alone lesson which may not necessarily link to the topic being taught. However, where possible links will be made and a cross-curricular approach will be implemented.
We use the Purple Mash scheme of work for computing to ensure progression. Using the scheme helps support children’s learning of the different areas within Computing. Children have many opportunities to play games as well as enjoying different activities such as creating pictograms and learning to operate safely online. Lessons aim to also develop children’s confidence in working online and developing the ability to independently complete different activities and tasks.
When leaving our school at the end of Year 2, we aim for children to be able to operate safely and independently on different technological devices such as laptops and Ipads and use them to complete tasks and gather information.
Computing Position Statement
At Diamond Wood Community Academy, our main focus for the year in terms of our Computing curriculum is to review current content and coverage, ensuring progression of knowledge and skills throughout school, from Nursery to Year Two.
All teaching staff and educational teaching assistants in school will be working hard over the year to develop their own subject knowledge and gain a clearer understanding of the skills and knowledge taught within each year group and how this progresses. They will develop their understanding of the EYFS: The World and Technology. They will understand how these areas of learning form firm foundations for Computing as children progress into Key Stage One.
Over the year we will be auditing and reviewing the resources available in school to support teaching and learning with the aim of ensuring new, high-quality resources are available to enhance the delivery of our curriculum.
We have swiftly identified the gaps created in children’s computing and technological knowledge and understanding due to COVID-19 school closures. The topics covered this year aim to address any lost learning whilst still challenging children and exposing them to age related learning expectations.
As a school and as a subject, we are working hard to ensure our children receive extra learning and independent time to expand their knowledge of technology and use the skills which they have learnt in an independent way. This is being implemented by using a timetable to expand their learning time.
To consolidate learning, we are aiming for children to have more hands on experience in Purple Mash within the Early Years to consolidate their learning throughout their life at Diamond Wood Community Academy. Implementing the learning when they are younger helps each child to prepare for the digital world outside of school.
Click here to read our Computing Action Plan
Click here to read details of the Computing National Curriculum
Click here to view Miss Harrison's Internet Safety top tips for parents and carers
Click here to view Miss Harrisons presentation about Purple Mash to parents and carers
Click here for the Purple Mash login area
Click here for further details on the Year 1 Purple Mash scheme.
Click here for further details on the Year 2 Purple Mash scheme.
Why We Use Purple Mash
At Diamond Wood Community Academy we take pride in teaching our children a broad and balanced curriculum. To do this we enjoy teaching a strong computing lesson every week. With using Purple Mash this enables all children, from Nursery to Year 2, to become strong, independent technology users both within school and the outside world. In Early Years children start with basic computing skills while also exploring other areas of the curriculum on Mini Mash. This gives children a chance to explore and use their computing skills both guided and independently. Whereas within Key Stage 1 as each child’s skills progress and develop further they move onto using the full Purple Mash site. Using Purple Mash does not just limit children to developing just Computing skills and knowledge but also a lot of other areas of the curriculum. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and school closures having the access to Purple Mash has enabled children to continue their learning from home and develop extra knowledge and skills. Each child has their own log in which helps promote independence but enables children to access the site within school and outside of school. Having the scheme also engages parents with what their children are learning in school and areas which they can develop. Using Purple Mash helps parents know about the Computing curriculum as well as other areas of the curriculum. This helps children and parents have a chance to work together through their curriculum and learning.
