At Glade Hill, we believe that computing is an integral part of preparing our children for a rapidly changing digital world. Our intent is to deliver a high-quality, inclusive computing curriculum that equips pupils with the computational thinking, creativity, and digital resilience required to become active, responsible participants in modern society.

To achieve this, we follow the Purple Mash Computing Scheme of Work. This comprehensive framework provides a clear, sequential progression of knowledge, skills, and technical vocabulary from the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) through to Year 6. Our curriculum is intentionally structured around the three core pillars of the National Curriculum:

1. Computer Science: Children learn the principles of information and computation, understanding how digital systems work and applying this knowledge through programming, block coding, and debugging.
2. Information Technology: Pupils are taught to use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate, and retrieve digital content, as well as collect and analyse data.
3. Digital Literacy: We ensure our children can use, express themselves, and develop their ideas through information and communication technology at a level suitable for the modern workplace and future education.

Central to our intent is a robust, continually reinforced approach to Online Safety. We aim to build a culture where safety, digital citizenship, and the ethical use of technology are embedded into every interaction with digital tools. Online safety units are explicitly taught at the start of each academic year and explicitly revisited across all terms (including through the PSHE curriculum), ensuring children know how to protect personal data, respect others online, and report concerns.

In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), our intent is to spark curiosity and build early familiarity with technology. Using Mini Mash, we align our computing goals with the Statutory Framework for the EYFS, specifically targeting Understanding the World (The Natural World/Technology) and Expressive Arts and Design. We aim to develop children’s fine motor control, confidence with digital devices, and early logical thinking (such as following simple instructions) while introducing the concept of a safe digital footprint from the very beginning.