Brockmoor Primary School: Computing Curriculum

A Curriculum That Develops Digital Literacy, Computational Thinking, and Responsible Online Citizens

At Brockmoor Primary School, we believe that computing is essential for preparing children to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Our computing curriculum, delivered through Purple Mash, ensures that pupils develop:

💻 Digital literacy – The ability to confidently use technology for learning, creativity, and communication.
🧠 Computational thinking – Developing problem-solving, pattern recognition, and logical reasoning skills.
⌨ Programming and coding expertise – Understanding how algorithms work and applying coding to real-world problems.
🌍 Responsible digital citizenship – Learning about online safety, cyber ethics, and digital well-being.
🔄 Retrieval and mastery – Revisiting concepts regularly to ensure deep understanding and fluency.

We aim for every child to leave primary school as a confident, responsible, and creative user of technology, equipped with the skills to succeed in secondary education and beyond.

As part of our commitment to high-quality computing education, we are working towards achieving the Computing Quality Mark, ensuring that our computing curriculum is rigorous, engaging, and nationally recognised for excellence.

Computing in EYFS: Early Digital Foundations

In EYFS, computing is embedded within "Understanding the World" and "Expressive Arts and Design," where children develop:

🖥 Early exposure to technology – Learning how to use simple digital tools such as tablets, interactive whiteboards, and programmable toys.
🔍 Exploring cause and effect – Understanding how pressing buttons or swiping screens influences digital responses.
🧩 Problem-solving through digital play – Using early coding games and interactive stories to develop logical thinking.
🛡 Introduction to online safety – Teaching children the importance of safe and responsible technology use.

Through structured activities and free exploration, children:

🕹 Use programmable toys (Bee-Bots) to develop early coding skills.
🎨 Create digital art using touchscreen technology.
🏡 Learn about technology in their environment (phones, computers, and smart devices).
🗣 Discuss online safety through stories and age-appropriate videos.

This early exposure provides the foundations for more structured computing learning in Key Stage 1 and beyond.

A Structured and Progressive Computing Curriculum

We follow the Purple Mash Computing Scheme, which ensures a clear progression of skills across all year groups. The curriculum covers three key strands:

✅ Computer Science – Understanding algorithms, coding, and debugging.
✅ Information Technology – Using software for word processing, digital art, and data handling.
✅ Digital Literacy – Learning about online safety, cyber ethics, and responsible technology use.

The Structure of a Purple Mash Computing Lesson

Each computing lesson follows a structured approach, ensuring clear teaching, practical application, and problem-solving:

1. Activating Prior Knowledge

🔹 Pupils retrieve previous learning to make connections to new content.
🔹 Vocabulary instruction ensures pupils understand technical terms.

2. Explicit Teaching and Modelling

💻 Teachers demonstrate key computing skills using interactive examples.
🧩 Pupils explore new coding concepts or digital tools with guided support.

3. Practical Application

🎮 Pupils apply their learning through hands-on activities using Purple Mash.
📊 They debug, create, and explore in a safe digital environment.

4. Discussion and Reflection

🗣 Pupils discuss their experiences, explaining their thought processes and challenges.
✅ They evaluate their work, suggesting improvements and debugging where necessary.

This structured model supports mastery, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

Core Components of the Computing Curriculum

1. Computer Science: Learning to Code and Think Logically

👨‍💻 Understanding algorithms – Breaking down problems into step-by-step solutions.
🎮 Programming and debugging – Writing and fixing code using Purple Mash coding tools.
🔁 Using loops, conditionals, and variables – Creating more complex programs over time.
🕹 Game design and simulations – Building interactive experiences and models.

2. Information Technology: Using Digital Tools Effectively

📝 Word processing and publishing – Learning how to type, format, and structure documents.
🎨 Digital creativity – Using tools for drawing, animation, and music composition.
📊 Data handling and spreadsheets – Organising information using charts and tables.

3. Digital Literacy: Becoming Responsible Online Citizens

🛡 Online safety education – Understanding privacy, cyberbullying, and safe internet use.
🔍 Evaluating online content – Learning to distinguish reliable and misleading information.
📱 Understanding the digital world – Exploring how technology impacts daily life.

By integrating these three strands, our computing curriculum ensures pupils develop into competent, responsible, and creative digital users.

Online Safety: A Key Priority

We ensure pupils develop strong digital resilience by embedding online safety in every unit.

🔹 Understanding privacy settings and personal information – Teaching pupils how to stay safe online.
🔹 Cyberbullying awareness – Discussing positive digital behaviour and reporting concerns.
🔹 Safe searching and evaluating content – Teaching pupils to critically assess the reliability of information online.
🔹 Age-appropriate discussions about digital well-being – Helping pupils balance screen time and real-world interactions.

We follow the Education for a Connected World Framework, ensuring online safety is taught consistently and developmentally from EYFS to Year 6.

Local Context: Computing and Brockmoor’s Digital Future

At Brockmoor Primary School, we make computing relevant to our pupils’ futures by:

💡 Exploring digital careers – Learning about jobs in coding, cybersecurity, and design.
🏭 Understanding how technology shapes industries – Looking at automation, AI, and robotics.
🌍 Engaging with local digital professionals – Providing pupils with real-world insights into computing careers.

These real-world connections ensure pupils see the value and impact of computing in their community and beyond.

Assessment: Tracking Progress in Computing

📊 Digital Portfolios – Capturing pupil work in Purple Mash to track progress over time.
💡 Practical Coding Challenges – Ensuring pupils can write, debug, and improve programs.
🗣 Oracy and Reflection – Encouraging pupils to explain how they solved problems.
🔍 Online Safety Quizzes and Discussions – Ensuring pupils understand digital risks and responsibilities.

Assessment is formative, skill-based, and designed to track real-world application and problem-solving skills.

The Impact: What Our Computing Curriculum Achieves

By the time pupils leave Brockmoor Primary, they are:

💻 Digitally literate – Confidently using technology for learning, communication, and problem-solving.
🧠 Computational thinkers – Applying logical reasoning and coding skills to real-world scenarios.
🌍 Responsible online citizens – Understanding internet safety, ethics, and digital well-being.
🎮 Creative and independent users of technology – Equipped with skills to design, create, and innovate.

CUSP Computing ensures that every child leaves primary school ready to navigate the digital world with confidence and responsibility.

Further Information

For more details, including:
📌 Purple Mash Curriculum Overviews
📌 Online Safety Guidance for Parents
📌 Coding Challenges and Digital Resources

Please contact our Curriculum Lead, Tom Amphlett, at info@brockmoor.dudley.sch.uk. 🚀