Computing

Computing at Archibald follows the Purple Mash scheme. Every year group covers computer science, information technology and digital literacy, so pupils leave as confident users of technology as well as programmers. Programming builds every year. Pupils create and follow instructions in Year 1 and use route explorers in Year 2. They move to text-based Logo in Year 4, build their own games and control external devices in Year 5, and are introduced to Python in Year 6. Data skills follow a similar path, from Data Explorers in Year 1 to branching databases in Year 3, databases in Year 5, and graphing and data analysis in Year 6. Pupils also learn practical skills they will use beyond school, including touch typing, email, spreadsheets, presentations and word processing across Microsoft, Apple and Google tools.

Online safety is taught throughout the year in every year group using 2BeSafe – Being Safe in a Digital World, and is reinforced through PSHE. The curriculum keeps pace with how technology is changing, with an introduction to AI in Year 4 and networks and binary in Year 6. Pupils also use technology creatively, for example composing beats and making animations and sound stories. By the end of Year 6, pupils can design, write and debug programs, explain how networks and the internet work, and make safe, responsible choices online.