Computing
Computers play a vital role in the modern world, and many of even the most basic jobs involve technology and computers. We want our pupils to be equipped with using computational thinking and creativity to be able to access, understand and change the world around them.
At Tottenhall Infant School, we recognise that the National Curriculum divides into three strands (computer science, digital literacy and Information technology). The curriculum we use supports children to complete age appropriate computing and prepares them to be safe, active participants in the digital world.
We deliver and teach the computing curriculum through Purple Mash. Purple Mash is an up to date scheme and supports our staff in delivering fun and engaging lessons, which help to raise computing attainment and allows pupils to achieve to their full potential.
Every computing unit in the Purple Mash programme ensures continuity and progression skills, knowledge and understanding across the school. This is done by implementing computing skills in meaningful ways and making appropriate cross curricular skills.
In the Early Years, we aim to provide our pupils with a broad, play-based experience of computing in a range of contexts. We believe in the following:
- Early Years learning environments should feature ICT scenarios based on experience in the real world, such as in role play
- Pupils gain confidence, control and language skills through opportunities to paint on the interactive whiteboards and iPads.
- Children are given an opportunity to record their own learning by taking photos of their outcomes.
- The children are introduced to basic algorithms through everyday activities such as sequencing pictures of events.
Every class has an interactive touchscreen board used for whole class teaching. The pupils have access to Laptops and iPads, and use them to make films, write stories, and deepen their computing knowledge.
Areas covered within the computing curriculum in Year 1 are: 
- Online safety
- Grouping and sorting
- Pictograms
- Maze Explorers
- Animated story books
- Coding
Areas covered within the computing curriculum in year 2 are:
- Coding
- Online safety
- Spreadsheets
- Questioning
- Effective searching
- Creating pictures
- Making music
- Presenting ideas