Computing
“The advance of technology is based on making it fit in so that you don't really even notice it, so it's part of everyday life.”
Bill Gates
Thornton Primary School values the fundamental part that technology plays in enhancing learning in the classroom and beyond. Computing is important and integral in primary education as it enables children to search for the information they need and to organise what they have found. We know and understand that computing can help motivate, stimulate or re-engage children. Some tasks that can seem mundane or challenging are often more accessible when using computing. As a school we are committed to work together to develop the computing skills of our whole school community. We ensure that all our staff and children are confident and competent with a range of current technology and its use within and beyond the school to support their continued learning journey.
At Thornton, we use Purple Mash to support the teaching of Computing and enhance learning across the wider curriculum. Purple Mash is a safe, engaging and child-friendly online learning platform that helps pupils develop the digital skills they need for the future while making learning creative and enjoyable. It provides access to a wide range of interactive tools and resources that support coding, digital literacy, online safety, writing, mathematics, art and much more.
Through Purple Mash, children learn how to use technology confidently, responsibly and creatively. Our Computing curriculum is carefully structured to build knowledge and skills progressively from Year 3 to Year 6, covering areas such as programming, data handling, digital content creation, online safety and problem solving.
Purple Mash also enables children to continue their learning at home using their personal login details. This helps to strengthen links between home and school, providing opportunities for pupils to practise skills, complete activities and explore learning independently in a secure online environment.
By using Purple Mash, we aim to inspire curiosity, creativity and confidence, ensuring that every child develops the knowledge and understanding needed to become a successful and responsible digital citizen.
With Purple Mash, we support the National Curriculum for Computing while promoting creativity, collaboration, resilience and safe online behaviour, helping children to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
Safe2Be is our online safety programme delivered through Purple Mash. Safe2Be is designed as a whole-school approach to online safety, embedding online safety learning throughout the year rather than teaching it as a one-off unit. It provides age-appropriate lessons and discussions that help children develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to stay safe, healthy and responsible online. The programme supports the DfE's Education for a Connected World framework and reinforces key messages from our safeguarding curriculum throughout the school year.
Safe2Be helps pupils learn how to:
- Stay safe online.
- Recognise and report concerns.
- Manage passwords and personal information securely.
- Identify misinformation and scams.
- Develop respectful online relationships.
- Understand the impact of their digital footprint.