Computing
Computing at Gainsborough Primary and Nursery Academy
We have invested in programs to improve the teaching of computing both in school and at home. The main piece of software that we use to deliver our teaching curriculum is called Purple Mash. This website can be accessed here
Your child has been given a log on which will allow them to complete tasks, games and homework in their own, secure area on the website.
At Gainsborough Primary and Nursery Academy, we strive to prepare our children for a rapidly changing world through the delivery of dynamic, modern and exciting computing sessions. Our high-quality computing curriculum is designed to enable children to use rational thinking and problem solving to aid the understanding of our world while building on wider subject knowledge. Our curriculum design has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology which builds on our vision of a ‘spiral’ curriculum. We intend for our children to use information technology to write code, design and debug programmes and access a range of content – all while continually building on and improving their computing vocabulary.
Our Computing curriculum is sequential and builds on prior learning which is often revisited and reviewed. This helps our children to know more and remember more. It is comprised of three aspects: Digital Literacy, Computational Thinking and Information Technology – all of which encompass internet safety at their core. Computing skills are taught both discretely and by a cross-curricular approach. In Reception and Key Stage 1, children are taught to use equipment and software confidently and purposefully and to communicate and handle information and to support problem solving.
In Key Stage 2, our children extend their understanding of computing to advance communication, investigation and programming – with an underlying focus of navigating the internet safely in a respectful manner. This includes covering a range of issues such as anonymity, password protection, addressing negativity and reporting inappropriate behaviour.
Pupils are:
- Proficient users of technology who are able to work both independently and collaboratively.
- Equipped with the skills and knowledge to use technology effectively and safely.
- Skilled at problem solving and logical thinking.
- Driven by exciting learning opportunities which provide challenge and opportunities to investigate the wider curriculum.
Our curriculum plans in computing are clear on what end points the pupils are working towards and what pupils will need to be able to know and do at those end points. The computing curriculum is planned and sequenced so that new knowledge and skills build on what has been taught before, and towards defined end points. The computing curriculum reflects the school’s local context by addressing typical gaps in pupils’ knowledge and skills. The computing curriculum is broad and creatively linked to other subjects. Disadvantaged pupils or pupils with SEND are supported to access the same broad and challenging curriculum as all pupils.
Online Safety
At Gainsborough, we take online safety very seriously and teach our children about safe and considerate use of technology, the internet and social media. We talk to children about appropriate online behaviour and what they can do if they ever feel unsafe or worried about something that they come across online. Online safety forms a part of both the computing and wider curriculum for every year group. Below you are able to read our ‘Online Safety Policy.
For further tips and advice on supporting your children to use the internet safely, please see: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/
For the federation online safety policy please visit the school policies page
