Curriculum / Computing
"The more I study, the more I am convinced that computers are not just machines—they are a canvas for creativity and innovation." Ada Lovelace
Our Vision
In today’s world, working with computers is a fundamental life skill, and at The Leys, we aim to empower every child with the knowledge and abilities to thrive in our increasingly digital landscape. Our goal is to provide students with the skills not only to operate technology safely but also to leverage it effectively for learning and future career opportunities.
Through our Computing curriculum, which aligns with the national curriculum, we strive to demonstrate the versatility of technology, encouraging children to explore the endless possibilities it offers. From creating presentations in Google Slides to building and accessing databases, we aim to equip students with practical, real-world skills. Additionally, we focus on preparing students for future digital careers by teaching them how to capture and edit photos and videos using various devices, as well as how to code simple programs with intuitive software.
We believe technology has the potential to enrich all aspects of life, which is why we integrate its use across the entire curriculum. For example, our students use programs like Century, Times Tables Rock Stars (TTRS), Google Workspace, and Purple Mash to enhance their learning across multiple subjects, not just Computing. Chromebooks are a staple in our classrooms, supporting not only Computing lessons but also subjects like Maths and English, where students use them to solve problems, practice spelling, and improve their writing skills.
Alongside these academic goals, we take our responsibility seriously in teaching children how to use technology safely and responsibly. We emphasise the importance of balancing screen time with real-world interactions and guide students to navigate the online world positively and securely. Regular lessons focus on online safety, helping students understand when to engage with technology and when to step away, exploring other resources for learning and entertainment.
Our aim for Computing at The Leys Primary and Nursery School
At The Leys, we are dedicated to fostering high standards in Computing. Our goal is for children to master Computing skills, preparing them not only for future careers in the digital world but also empowering them to use technology effectively and safely in their daily lives, without becoming overly dependent on it.
Our Computing curriculum is designed to support a clear progression of skills from the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) through to Year 6. In EYFS and Key Stage 1, children begin with foundational skills, learning the basics of technology, safe use, and introductory coding concepts. As they progress through Key Stages 2 (and later in KS3), students build on these skills with increasingly sophisticated tools, enhancing their digital literacy and problem-solving abilities.
By Year 6, our curriculum shifts focus from introductory platforms like Purple Mash to more advanced, real-world software, equipping students with hands-on experience in applications they may encounter in secondary education and beyond. This transition helps prepare them for practical applications of technology in both their academic and future career pursuits.
We aim to teach children to use technology responsibly and with care, helping them understand how their online behaviour, words, and actions can impact others. Our Computing curriculum ensures this skill progression through lessons designed to build on previous learning, encouraging continuous development at each stage.
By exposing children to a wide range of technologies, we enrich their learning experiences, enabling them to use technology creatively and as a tool for problem-solving across subjects. This approach not only supports academic progress but also helps shape well-rounded, responsible citizens, both within our local community and the broader global society.
Our broad and balanced Computing curriculum is structured to support learners of all levels, offering both encouragement and challenges. In the classroom, students work with programs such as Purple Mash, Century, and the Google Workspace suite, equipping them with essential skills for the next stage of their learning and for adulthood. This foundation ensures that pupils of The Leys Primary and Nursery School are prepared to become successful, active, and positive contributors to their communities and the wider world.
Delivery and Outcomes
At The Leys, we have a broad and balanced Computing curriculum that builds on previous learning and provides both support and challenge for learners. We use a wide range of devices and technologies to achieve this. In the classroom, students work with programs such as Purple Mash, Century, and the full suite of Google Workspace applications to support their learning. This approach enables our children to acquire the vital knowledge and skills required for the next stage of their educational journey and for adulthood, helping them become successful, active, and positive members of their local community and the wider world.
Pupil Voice
"I really like doing stuff on the computer"
- Year 1 Pupil
"It makes our imaginations go viral"
- Year 2 Pupil
"We love using the Chromebooks. They are very fun, we get to play games and learn at the same time andlearn better stuff"
- Year 3 Pupil
"You get to find out about more different people and places than we have books for"
- Year 4 Pupil
"Computing is really fun because when we are doing our computing lessons we will sometimes make games or do editing and these are really interesting lessons.”
- Year 5 Pupil
"We know that we will need to use computers a lot for our work at secondary school"
- Year 6 Pupil
Our Curriculum:
Children will be using Purple Mash while in school for their computing lessons, this can also be accessed at home, with children having access to all of the programs and content they will be using while learning Computing at the Leys.
Subject Overview:
Subject Overview 2024 - 25
Our SMART Rules
In our online world, it's important to follow the SMART rules to stay safe on the internet. Following the SMART rules ensures a safer and more enjoyable internet experience in today's digital age. These rules are taught throughout school and are used as a tool to help teach children how to stay safe and use the internet effectively.
Online Charter
Useful Websites
Here are the websites that we have signed up to for children in our schools to use:
Century Login
https://www.purplemash.com/sch/theleys-sg1
https://play.ttrockstars.com/auth/school/student/29167
Examples of work:
Year 1 have been exploring the different types of fruit they enjoy in class and have created a pictogram to display their findings.
Year 2 Spreadsheets
Children were given data to input onto the spreadsheet and use calculations to answer questions.
Year 3 Music Composition
The children listened to example pieces of music and then were encouraged to compose their own music in the same style.
Year 5 Coding
A lightsaber fight between Darth Vader and the Gingerbread man.
The children planned out a story that they wanted to create; they then created the coding sequence to make this happen. The children needed to debug any problems that occurred during the coding process.
Year 6 Internet Safety - E Safety Information leaflet
Children have researched the important factors of internet safety and used this to create an information leaflet using software on Purple Mash.
