Since computing was introduced as a National Curriculum subject, Ofsted has repeatedly said a shortage of specialist computing teachers has held pupils back. Purple Mash seems to be providing an answer.
Clare Mathema, Computing Leader at Sherborne House School, said: 'It's not all about inspections, but when the inspectors came, they did comment on how high the skills were in computing. Purple Mash has had a massive impact… I’m absolutely convinced that without it, the skills would not be where they are now, and especially for those teachers who aren't so confident. At this school, inspectors noted for example that, 'Pupils displayed excellent information and computing technology skills… Pupils displayed agile control and animation skills… Pupils were seen to write, animate and present their own stories using technology with confidence to strengthen the final pieces.'
A new research report from Dr Fiona Aubrey-Smith says consistency is key in ensuring quality learning for all children. Her survey covered 6,328 teachers, school leaders and children, from 1,003 schools. The full report can be downloaded here. TeachingTimes has been looking at the report with regard to just three areas:
- Staff confidence
- Children's developing skills
- Lifting the workload
These are the areas that are of particular importance to senior managers and to those responsible for encouraging staff to integrate skills such as data handling, coding and internet safety across the curriculum.
Staff confidence
One of the key benefits of Purple Mash is that the Computing Scheme of Work addresses each of the three strands of the National Curriculum Computing curriculum – Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy. It also comes with fully resourced and referenced supporting materials so teachers can learn and build their skills as they go along.
Schools are attracted by having a ready-made scheme of work. Tiffany Galloway, Computing Coordinator at Inmans Primary School, explains. 'When I first took over this role, I used the Scheme of Work word for word like a script… now it depends on how many weeks there are in a half term and things like that, so I adapt them, but I tend to use the structure and the progression within the lessons and across the unit.'