Computing

“Coding is the most important language you can learn. It teaches you how to create, solve problems, and express yourself.” — Tim Cook, CEO of Apple

At Little Gaddesden Church of England Primary School, we aim to equip our pupils with the computational thinking and digital literacy needed to navigate, shape, and thrive in an increasingly connected digital world. Our Computing curriculum is deeply rooted in our core school values:

  • Kindness: Practicing safe, respectful, and considerate digital citizenship—showing courtesy, empathy, and positive behavior in all online interactions.
  • Endeavour: Demonstrating resilience, patience, and problem-solving determination when debugging code, tackling technical challenges, or mastering new software.
  • Understanding: Developing a critical awareness of how technology works behind the screen, how algorithms shape information, and how to keep ourselves and others safe online.

Intent

Our Intent in Computing is to provide a high-quality, inspiring education that equips children to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world.

  • Three Core Strands: We deliver a balanced curriculum covering the three key strands of the National Curriculum: Computer Science (coding and computational logic), Information Technology (using applications to create, store, and manipulate content), and Digital Literacy (online safety and digital citizenship).
  • Values in Action: We intentionally embed Kindness, Endeavour, and Understanding to ensure pupils grow not only as confident technology users, but as responsible, thoughtful digital citizens.
  • Progressive Learning: We aim to build cumulative knowledge and technical confidence, allowing pupils to revisit core concepts like algorithms, logical reasoning, and data representation as they advance through the school.

Implementation

Our Implementation combines hands-on practical learning, problem-solving, and continuous reinforcement of digital literacy across the curriculum.

  • 1:1 Device Access: Every pupil has access to 1:1 devices during Computing lessons and throughout the wider school day. This seamless access transforms technology into an everyday learning tool, driving up digital literacy skills, independence, and technical confidence across all subject areas.
  • Purple Mash Scheme of Work: We deliver our computing units using the comprehensive Purple Mash scheme of work. This provides a clear, progressive learning pathway across Computer Science, Information Technology, and Digital Literacy, engaging children through interactive coding challenges, animation, and data tools.
  • Google Workspace for Education: Pupils regularly use Google Workspace for Education tools (including Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Drive). This embeds essential real-world digital skills, supporting collaborative project work, cloud-based file management, and modern digital communication.
  • Two-Year Rolling Programme: For Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 (Classes 2 to 4), Computing follows our two-year rolling programme, ensuring full coverage of the National Curriculum while enabling pupils to consolidate and deepen their technical skills.
  • Early Foundations (EYFS): In Class 1, children explore technology through guided play, directional language, basic unplugged algorithms, and age-appropriate digital tools.
  • Embedded Online Safety: Online safety is taught explicitly every term and reinforced continuously across all digital learning, ensuring pupils know how to protect their personal information, recognize online risks, and seek help whenever needed.

Impact

The Impact of our Computing curriculum is seen in digitally competent, creative, and resilient learners who approach technology with confidence and care.

  • Confident Programmers & Creators: Children leave Little Gaddesden with strong computational thinking skills, capable of writing functional code, analyzing problems, and creating meaningful digital media.
  • Values-Led Digital Citizens: Our pupils show genuine Kindness by promoting positive online relationships, demonstrate Endeavour when solving complex coding bugs, and apply a thoughtful Understanding of technology’s impact on society.
  • Prepared for the Future: Pupils transition to secondary education with fluent digital skills, strong mastery of cloud tools, and the online safety awareness needed for lifelong learning in a digital age.

Key Documentation

Staying Safe Online

For information on how to stay safe online, please visit here.