Computing
“Simple can be harder than complex: you have to work hard 
to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.”
Steve Jobs.
The core of Computing is Computer Science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use Information Technology to create programs, systems and a range of content.
Computing also ensures that pupils become Digitally Literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.
Our aim throughout St. Mary's is that children develop into a:
Digital Citizen – somebody who is safe and responsible
Digital Creator – somebody who is logical and creative
Digital Communicator – somebody who is digitally literate
We have a fully equipped Computing Suite here at St Mary's, where children are able to use chromebooks.
We are so lucky to have our Specialist Teacher, Mr Challinor join us each week from Painsley Catholic College. He works with the Year 3, 4, 5 & 6 children in their Computing lessons and this supports the transition into Painsley as children move into Year 7. Mr Challinor teaches Computing at Painsley, as well as here with us at St Mary's, so is able to ensure that children are fully equipped to make the move to their secondary computing education.
We use Purple Mash to support our curriculum across our school. Purple Mash is a cloud-based platform for primary-aged children.
It contains a wide range of age-appropriate, creative software tools for writing, drawing, coding, animating and blogging. Through it, teachers provide excellent opportunities for children to express themselves within their Computing lessons. It is also used for homework and has been used very effectively to support home learning too! Click the image on the left and you will fly over to the St. Mary's Purple Mash home page.
Parental Support for Online Safety.
As a parent or carer you play a key role in helping your child to stay safe online.
You don’t need to be an expert on the internet to help keep your child stay safe online. Our advice and resources are here to support you as you support your child to use the internet safely, responsibility and positively.
It is really important to chat with your children on an ongoing basis about staying safe online. Not sure where to begin? These conversation starter suggestions can help.
Ask your children to tell you about the sites they like to visit and what they enjoy doing online.
What games do you and your friends like to play online? Can you show me the websites you visit the most? Shall we play your favourite game online together?
Ask them about how they stay safe online.
What tips do they have for you, and where did they learn them? What is OK and not OK to share?
Ask them if they know where to go for help.
Where can they go to find the safety advice, privacy settings and how to report or block on the services they use?
Think about how you each use the internet.
What more could you do to use the internet together? Are there activities that you could enjoy as a family?
Each week we share the latest National Online Safety poster, via our facebook page, sharing top tips, reminders and support for children and their parents.
We also have created termly online safety St Mary's Newsletters.