Intent

At The Grange Academy, we believe that all children deserve access to a high-quality computing curriculum that champions excellence and empowers them to achieve their full potential. In an increasingly digital world, our computing curriculum provides pupils with the knowledge, skills, and understanding to become confident, creative, and responsible users of technology.

We recognise the immense value that technology brings to education and daily life. By embedding computing across the curriculum, we aim to:

• Enhance learning through collaborative opportunities and interactive experiences.
• Engage and inspire pupils with rich content that supports conceptual understanding.
• Promote inclusivity by providing tools and resources to meet the diverse needs of all learners.

Online Safety and Digital Responsibility

Online safety is a core priority at The Grange Academy. It is taught explicitly as the first unit in every year group and reinforced repeatedly throughout the curriculum. We aim to equip pupils with the knowledge and understanding to navigate the digital world safely, confidently, and responsibly. Our goal is for all children to:

• Understand how to protect their personal information.
• Recognise the importance of respectful online behaviour.
• Identify potential risks and know how to seek help when needed.

Our Bespoke Curriculum

We have chosen the Purple Mash Computing Scheme of Work from Year 3 to Year 6, ensuring a well-sequenced, progressive curriculum that meets the requirements of the National Curriculum. The scheme provides engaging and purposeful learning opportunities, covering:

• Computer Science: Developing programming skills, understanding algorithms, and exploring logical reasoning.
• Information Technology: Creating and presenting digital content, using tools to manipulate data, and understanding systems.
• Digital Literacy: Developing confidence with technology and fostering safe, responsible online habits.

The curriculum has been adapted to reflect our pupils’ needs and experiences, providing regular opportunities to revisit and embed prior learning. By building on strong foundations and progressively developing skills, our pupils are prepared to apply their computing knowledge in real-world contexts.

Our Vision

At The Grange Academy, our intent is for all children to leave as competent, creative, and critical users of technology who:

• Can solve problems by applying computational thinking.
• Are digitally literate, able to engage effectively and safely in a digital society.
• Appreciate technology’s role in the modern world, inspiring aspirations for future careers in STEM and beyond.

We aim for every child to see technology as a tool for innovation, collaboration, and lifelong learning, aligned with our school’s Learning for Life vision.

Implementation

At The Grange Academy, computing is taught as a discrete subject using the Purple Mash Computing Scheme of Work for Years 3 to 6. This scheme ensures a progressive, well-structured curriculum that balances the three key strands of the National Curriculum: Computer Science, Information Technology, and Digital Literacy, including a strong focus on Online Safety.

Curriculum Delivery

• Weekly Computing Lessons: Pupils receive high-quality, planned lessons tailored to their year group’s long-term plan, ensuring clear progression of knowledge and skills.
• Online Safety First: Online safety is prioritised as the first taught unit each year and is continually revisited to embed safe and responsible technology use.
• Thematic Approach: Key concepts are sequenced into half-termly units, allowing pupils to apply prior learning while exploring new content. For example:
  • Year 3: Introduction to coding, emails, and basic presentation skills.
  • Year 4: Developing coding skills, using spreadsheets, and exploring music creation.
  • Year 5: Designing games, 3D modelling, and advanced word processing.
  • Year 6: Blogging, networking, coding simulations, and spreadsheet data analysis.

Key Strands of Computing

1. Computer Science: Pupils develop a solid understanding of coding and programming, including algorithms, debugging, logical reasoning, and controlling systems. Lessons are practical and hands-on, allowing pupils to create, test, and refine programs progressively.
2. Information Technology: Pupils learn to select, use, and combine software to create purposeful content. They work with a range of tools for presenting, analysing, and evaluating data, including PowerPoint, Excel, and collaborative tools like Google Docs.
3. Digital Literacy: Pupils develop confidence and responsibility as digital citizens. They learn to navigate online environments safely, use search engines effectively, and critically evaluate digital content.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

• Practical Application: Lessons are interactive, encouraging exploration of software and coding tools to develop confidence and creativity.
• Cross-Curricular Integration: Pupils apply computing skills in other subjects, such as creating presentations for history projects, using spreadsheets in maths, or conducting internet-based research in geography.
• Scaffolding and Support: Teachers adapt lessons to meet the needs of all learners, ensuring inclusion for SEND pupils and challenge for high-attaining pupils through extension activities.
• Retrieval and Consolidation: Pupils revisit and embed prior learning through regular opportunities for recap, reflection, and problem-solving.

Assessment

• Formative Assessment: Ongoing observation, questioning, and retrieval activities are used to gauge understanding and address misconceptions within lessons.
• Summative Assessment: End-of-unit projects and tasks provide opportunities for pupils to demonstrate their skills, such as creating a presentation, designing a game, or solving coding challenges.
• Pupil Voice: Regular discussions and feedback sessions ensure pupils can articulate their learning and reflect on their progression.

Resources and Tools

• We utilise Purple Mash, Microsoft Office tools (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and collaborative platforms (e.g., Google Drive) to enrich learning.
• Every classroom has access to laptops and tablets, ensuring equal opportunities for pupils to engage with technology.
• Digital Displays: Computing achievements are celebrated through displays, showcasing pupils’ work and inspiring further creativity.

Enrichment and Real-World Links

• Pupils engage in real-world applications of computing, such as blogging, creating digital presentations, or exploring data analysis.
• Online Safety Events: Activities such as Safer Internet Day and themed assemblies reinforce safe and responsible online behaviour.
• STEM Links and Future Careers: Pupils are introduced to careers in technology and innovation, helping them to see computing as a gateway to exciting opportunities in the modern world.

By delivering a broad, engaging, and practical curriculum, pupils at The Grange Academy develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to thrive as digital learners, creators, and responsible citizens in an increasingly technological world.

Impact

At The Grange Academy, the impact of our computing curriculum is demonstrated through the confident, responsible, and creative use of technology by our pupils. By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils have developed the essential skills, knowledge, and understanding to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

The impact of our computing curriculum is reflected as pupils:

• Become confident and competent users of technology: Pupils can apply their computing knowledge across the three strands—Computer Science, Information Technology, and Digital Literacy—demonstrating fluency with a variety of tools and platforms.
• Demonstrate strong programming and problem-solving skills: Pupils write, debug, and improve algorithms, applying computational thinking to real-world problems and exploring logical reasoning to develop resilience and perseverance.
• Use technology creatively and purposefully: Pupils create digital content such as presentations, blogs, 3D models, and spreadsheets, selecting appropriate tools to meet specific goals and audiences.
• Understand and navigate online safety: Pupils leave school with a clear understanding of how to stay safe, respectful, and responsible online. They can recognise risks, protect their personal information, and respond to online challenges appropriately.
• Think critically about digital content: Pupils develop discernment when using search technologies, evaluating the reliability and accuracy of information and recognising how content is created and ranked.

Measuring Impact

The success of our computing curriculum is monitored through:

1. Pupil Outcomes:
   • Pupils achieve age-related expectations in computing by the end of each year, showing progression in their technical knowledge and skills.
   • Final projects and digital portfolios demonstrate high-quality work and a clear understanding of computing concepts.
2. Pupil Voice:
   • Pupils can confidently articulate their learning, explaining coding processes, digital tools, and online safety concepts.
   • They express enthusiasm for computing and an awareness of its relevance to future opportunities and careers.
3. Assessment:
   • Teachers use formative assessment within lessons and end-of-unit outcomes to ensure pupils meet learning objectives. Misconceptions are identified and addressed promptly.
   • Summative assessments (e.g., completed projects, coding outcomes, and presentations) reflect pupils’ skills and knowledge.
4. Real-World Application:
   • Pupils demonstrate an ability to apply their computing skills across the curriculum and in everyday contexts.
   • They leave The Grange Academy equipped with the confidence to adapt to new and emerging technologies.

By the end of Year 6, pupils at The Grange Academy are digitally literate, confident users of technology, and equipped with the skills and knowledge to succeed in secondary school and beyond. They see computing not only as a tool for creativity, communication, and problem-solving but also as a gateway to future careers and innovation. Most importantly, they leave with an appreciation for the role of technology in their lives and the ability to navigate it safely and responsibly—aligning with our Learning for Life vision.