What is Purple Mash?
Purple Mash is an award-winning cross curricular website for primary school children, enabling them to explore and enhance their knowledge in a fun and creative way.
Cloud-based, it delivers an exciting mash-up of curriculum focused activities, creative tools, programs and games. A Purple Mash subscription also Mini Mash and the EYFS platform - this is also available as a stand-alone product for EY settings. There is a Purple Mash add-on called Serial Mash, an online library which contains digital fiction books with guided reading resources and activities.
For parents, Purple Mash contains free home access for all pupils. For teachers, Purple Mash provides ready-made editable long-term, medium-term and individual lesson plans, a full assessment framework, curriculum maps, whole school schemes, video tutorials, built-in CPD and free CPD events.
Purple Mash works across a range of different devices, from tablets to interactive whiteboards.
Recommended Usage
As a whole-curriculum resource this would be dependent upon the specific tool and objective. For example, if using the multiplication tool, using it once a day for 5 minutes, learners and teachers would start to see impact within a couple of weeks. But if using one of the creative animation tools the level of usage would be different.
Educational Impact
Additional evidence
 Company | Business Name: 2simple Ltd HQ Location: United Kingdom Founded: 2011 |
| Age Range | 0-4, 5-7, 8-10 |
 Features | Computing Scheme Of WorkGive Student FeedbackCurriculum MapsLesson PlansMathsEnglishCross CurricularHome AccessAssign TasksComputing |
 Languages | English |
 Accessibility | Moderate features |
 Policies |  Terms of ServicePrivacy PolicyGDPR |
 Requirements | Internet - High BandwidthDesktop - MacDesktop - WindowsDesktop - ChromebookMobile - iPhoneMobile - iPadMobile - WindowsMobile - Android Internet enabled device(s), from desktops to tablets and interactive whiteboards. |
 Set Up | Anyone wishing to take a 14 day trial is emailed a link to access Purple Mash. No installation required for a trial, MIS integration available following purchase of a subscription to Purple Mash. |
 Training | In PersonLive OnlineWebinarsDocumentationVideos Plus, an in-built training platform. |
 Support | EmailFAQs/ForumKnowledge BasePhone Support 86 articles are available on the Purple Mash website to support all users - students, teachers, parents. |
| Home Learning | Parent Access School must create the account. Free home access for all pupils. Parents have access to a Parent Portal which gives clear insight into their child's learning activities. Resources are avilable on the Purple Mash website that have been built specifically to help parents make the most of the platform. |
 Tags | Purple MashCross curricular computinghome accesscreativity |
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Purple Mash PricingPricing Plans Free TrialPaid Subscription Purple Mash pricing starts from £450 / year Purple Mash packages start from £450 (excluding VAT) and are based on the number of pupils at the purchasing school. Multi-year discounts apply to 3-year licences and 5-year licences. There is an additional £150 one-off joining fee to cover MIS data integration, set-up, configuration, hand holding to ‘go-live’ and ongoing technical support. This includes 1 twilight CPD session (1.5 hours) with additional sessions included for multi-year subscriptions. For a personalised quote, please book a free demo.  Optimised for a quick response | |
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Purple Mash Reviews
from 35 Verified Reviews
User rating
Country
Jan 2024
I think it is an excellent resource with really helpful facilitators who are available for mash chats when you need them. It is a really comprehensive website that all children can access and enables us to support those who need it through games etc.
Gina Sullivan found Purple Mash:
- Significantly reduces teacher workload“differentiated resources, games to access learning, prepared worksheets, planning for Computing scheme”
- Significantly increases student collaboration“Collaborative 2DOs, sharing work, commenting on others' work, using 2email, publishing work”
- Significantly improves teaching efficiency“Prepared powerpoints and planning enable us to deliver the computing curriculum at a much higher standard”
- Significantly improves parent engagement“During lockdown we used Purple mash a lot to set our work on and have continued to set homework on for some pupils.”
- Significantly builds student knowledge“Developing curriculum year on year that enhances knowledge. Retrieval of knowledge from previous year groups.”
Jan 2024
It is a wonderful piece of subscription that ticks every box in Primary Education.
Antony Scott found Purple Mash:
- Significantly reduces teacher workload“Planning and marking”
- Significantly increases student collaboration“Great for discussion topics and software to formulate brainstorming together as well as play against each other.”
- Significantly improves teaching efficiency“Excellent planning platform especially for computing. Speeds up the whole process.”
- Moderately improves parent engagement“Great with emails and attachments to get home. Qr codes and display boards also super for engagement.”
- Significantly builds student knowledge“All pupils show progression from start and end of unit quizzes.”
Jan 2024
Excellent Primary Resource
Clair Harris found Purple Mash:
- Significantly reduces teacher workload“When planning a topic that is new to me eg Simulations I was able to use the lesson plans provided to give me initial ideas for my own lesson and provide a skeleton for my own lesson slides.”
- Slightly increases student collaboration“When teaching Online Collaboration the children have used 2connect in collaborative mode as well as 2write. These are always very popular activities! However, these sessions are often quite chaotic to start with before the children learn to co-opperate and work together to achieve the lesson goal”
- Significantly improves teaching efficiency“When using 2code as children can move through activities at their own pace and learn for themselves as they progress using the tutorial videos.”
- Does not significantly improve parent engagement“Parent's have been engaged with our Serial Mash free 1 year subscription, encouraging their children to undertake reading activities especially during school holidays.”
- Significantly builds student knowledge“Creating factfiles eg Year 6 when making Tim Berners Lee fact files while studying the topic How the Internet works.”
Jan 2023
Good and engaging but not accessible for deprived children
Amanda Williams found Purple Mash:
- Slightly reduces teacher workload“Teaching the strategy first still”
- Does not significantly increase student collaboration“Some do not have equipment to access it online so has to be done in school”
- Moderately improves teaching efficiency“Teacher input still required”
- Does not significantly improve parent engagement
- Significantly builds student knowledge“Builds confidence”
Jan 2023
I find it very difficult to follow
Breda Brookson found Purple Mash:
- Slightly reduces teacher workload“I have to work through each session to make sure I can do the lesson before I teach it. I often don't manage.”
- Slightly increases student collaboration
- Does not significantly improve teaching efficiency“I find it very difficult to follow”
- Does not improve parent engagement“We only use this at school”
- Slightly builds student knowledge“Children are better at at than I am”
Nov 2022
Easy to navigate, covers and supports whole curriculum, builds confidence for adults and children, helps support planning and teacher subject knowledge, planning, assessment and resources are well produced, relevant and easy to use in each lesson. Love its versatility from spelling and times table support to publishing pieces of written work.
charlotte watkin found Purple Mash:
- Significantly reduces teacher workload“planning, resources, vocab all considered, organised and very straight forward to follow.”
- Significantly increases student collaboration“mixed ability pairings - learning from each other, keen to help each other and share knowledge/short cuts, new-found knowledge. Enthusiasm towards learning particularly through self-discovery. Children feel safe using the website - they don't panic about not being able to save etc because there are so many prompts and levels of support”
- Moderately improves teaching efficiency“Powerpoint guides lesson well - teacher confident with knowledge being taught as being relevant, on target and up to date.”
- Slightly improves parent engagement“Not involved parents yet - school leadership decision”
- Significantly builds student knowledge“Shocked at how much they engage and take in, particularly what I as an adult deem to be tricky eg plagiarism - suddenly the children's topic homework changed because they were considering plagiarism etc more. Understanding, using and explaining quite technical and specific vocabulary.”
Oct 2022
It just helps everyone in schools
Germain found Purple Mash:
- Slightly reduces teacher workload“When there's too must work it comes in handy”
- Moderately increases student collaboration“Pics”
- Slightly improves teaching efficiency“It's there”
- Slightly improves parent engagement“Don't know”
- Does not significantly build student knowledge“With certain students”
Oct 2022
It has been interesting using this easy to follow program, a wide selection, fun topics, fun imagery extremely engaging for both student and teacher.
Reiana Harrison found Purple Mash:
- Slightly reduces teacher workload“less print outs”
- Significantly increases student collaboration“Encourages independent designs and ideas”
- Significantly improves teaching efficiency“easy, effective imagery that engages the students”
- Slightly improves parent engagement
- Moderately builds student knowledge“It making learning fun increasing the level of engagement the visuals are bright, clear and colourful which is inviting for young children especial those special needs.”
Oct 2022
Helpful scheme with lots of benefits and easy to use and understand
Rachel Morgan found Purple Mash:
- Significantly reduces teacher workload“Limited planning needed for computing lessons. Can use purple mash for cross curricular lessons too so can reduce workload in other subjects”
- Moderately increases student collaboration“Children can help each other and work together on various activities”
- Significantly improves teaching efficiency“Clear instructions and clear learning outcomes”
- Significantly improves parent engagement“parents can get involved with pupils learning at home through using purple mash”
- Significantly builds student knowledge“Purple mash can be used to help children remember more and build learning”
Lucy
Primary computing advisor
Used Purple Mash weekly for 5 years+
Oct 2022
Always up-to-date and user friendly
Lucy found Purple Mash:
- Significantly reduces teacher workload“Providing ready made teaching resources such as computing unit presentations”
- Significantly increases student collaboration“Using collaborative docs and databases and mindmaps”
- Significantly improves teaching efficiency“Have glossary of terms and explanations of terms for teachers”
- Slightly improves parent engagement“N/a”
- Significantly builds student knowledge“N/a”
Nicola Ingham
Assistant Head
Used Purple Mash weekly for 4-6 months
Aug 2022
I like it and it's good but I would like more videos and wider material on it, such as in discovery education
Nicola Ingham found Purple Mash:
- Does not significantly reduce teacher workload“IT practice can be found in one place”
- Slightly increases student collaboration“Children are learning to take turns”
- Significantly improves teaching efficiency“Support material is on one platform”
- Does not significantly improve parent engagement“I need to setup and underst QR codes to parents”
- Slightly builds student knowledge
May 2022
I like how work can be marked with feedback and individual assessments
Cj found Purple Mash:
- Slightly reduces teacher workload“Takes time to find resources and discover for some topics there aren't any”
- Does not significantly increase student collaboration
- Moderately improves teaching efficiency“Music can be individually performed and assessed”
- Does not improve parent engagement“Parents never look at work set or comments made as children can easily log in independently”
- Slightly builds student knowledge“Reinforces what learnt, doesn't teach except in ICT where the scheme is very good”
May 2022
Easy to use. Huge amounts of flexibility and cross-curricular usage.
Helen Worrall found Purple Mash:
- Significantly reduces teacher workload“Particularly in the computing curriculum, the progression is clear, the resources are high-quality and easily adaptable.”
- Moderately increases student collaboration“Children are getting more and more competent at using the collaboration tools such as 2Connect.”
- Significantly improves teaching efficiency“Marking is incredibly easy and children can respond! Excellent!”
- Moderately improves parent engagement“It's easier for parents to see what their child is doing in school now rather than rely on a tired child relaying their day.”
- Significantly builds student knowledge“We are using Purple Mash increasingly effectively as a homework platform to reinforce learning that has happened in school.”
Mar 2022
Whilst the premade resources are good and save teachers time they also only realistically teach students how to use Purple Mash software rather than any real world software
Sam Bartlett found Purple Mash:
- Moderately reduces teacher workload“Pre set scenarios help to reduce teacher workload and also provide resources to teachers unfamiliar with a subject”
- Significantly increases student collaboration
- Moderately improves teaching efficiency
- Does not significantly improve parent engagement
- Slightly builds student knowledge
Feb 2022
I prefer to go to Purple Mash when do computing because I know most of the skills and knowledge will be there on the SOW to help me deliver great computing lessons.
Moira found Purple Mash:
- Significantly reduces teacher workload“Delivering to both Key stage pupils is difficult when they all at different levels/stages in computing. I can trust Purple Mash will have something to suit most of these pupils.”
- Significantly increases student collaboration“Ks1 pupils working in pairs helping eachother. Lots of computing Language exchanged as well as Learning.”
- Moderately improves teaching efficiency“I can deliver a unit to whole class, then set 2Do's to consolidate their learning.”
- Slightly improves parent engagement“Pupils often come into school after having been on Purple Mash the previous day and tell us that they have been on at home with their Parents help.”
- Moderately builds student knowledge
Feb 2022
Fantastic, simplistic software which pupils love!
Lisa Hodgkison found Purple Mash:
- Significantly reduces teacher workload“Setting pupil homework”
- Significantly increases student collaboration“Pupils are able to collaborate through the software from home.”
- Significantly improves teaching efficiency“Gives non specialist a very simplistic teaching tool”
- Moderately improves parent engagement“Parents can see what the pupils are doing and monitor homework through the package”
- Moderately builds student knowledge
Gill Holmes
Higher Level Teaching Assistant and computing lead.
Used Purple Mash daily for 3-4 years
Feb 2022
It is a fantastic resource especially when delivering computing.
Gill Holmes found Purple Mash:
- Significantly reduces teacher workload“Lessons are there along as resources.”
- Moderately increases student collaboration“Good for group work”
- Significantly improves teaching efficiency“Clear activities in an easy to deliver format.”
- Moderately improves parent engagement“Was great in lockdown”
- Significantly builds student knowledge“Progression in computing curriculum is clearly laid out”
Stephanie Barber
Computing Specialist Teacher
Used Purple Mash daily for 5 years+
Dec 2021
I have used Purplemash for many years in different year groups and not just for computing. It is an extremely useful resource and tool for learning. Most importantly 2Simple keep Purplemash totally up to date and are constantly listening to reviews/feedback to improve the product. In the past 2 years they've made huge changes to make the tools better for online home learning and to make connections with other platforms that teachers use. I would also highly recommend it because their support team are fantastic. Email queries are answered within that day and problems are investigated until they are solved.
Stephanie Barber found Purple Mash:
- Significantly reduces teacher workload“Ease of marking online tasks, setting rewards for pieces of work and gathering evidence. All stored in easy to use folders. Data dashboard allows quick viewing of evidence for relevant objectives in the curriculum. Setting online tasks for homelearning with clear instructions and newly added ability to add links and voice instructions to 2dos. Activities are completed on computer so there is no need for excessive printing.”
- Significantly increases student collaboration“Lots of the tools are designed for collaborative work: 2Email so pupils can message each other and learn about communicating online or other topics. 2connect for mind mapping tools which can be used collaboratively so groups can comment on one document. 2blog class blogs encourage communication and sharing of ideas. 2investigate creates databases and can be worked on collaboratively so that pupils can add data to one database and use each others' data.”
- Significantly improves teaching efficiency“Activities can be completed within Purplemash using the templates and publishing tools. Therefore there is no need for excessive printing. Work can be shared with school community via displayboards. Work is easily marked with pupils alerted to feedback as soon as it is returned. Work can be set as 'redo' for pupils to edit and resubmit. 2dos are quick to set up and assign to classes or specific pupils. In many tasks there are help videos, hints (coding), word banks and checklists so that pupils do not need as much teacher support constantly and can be more independent allowing teacher to focus where needed.”
- Moderately improves parent engagement“It is possible to have parent codes in purplemash so that parents have their own sign ons and can view pupil work/progress. Displayboards allow school community including parents to see what pupils have been doing in class.”
- Moderately builds student knowledge“I don't think it is as knowledge based as other online platforms (no powerpoints of topic information). It is more of a tool for demonstrating knowledge and developing skills. This is a tool for pupils to demonstrate what they understand and explore their ideas. Serial mash for example is a great tool for extending pupils reading skills and encouraging enjoyment for reading. In computing it does have an impact on student knowledge as the SOW has indepth activities for not just coding, but also internet safety (DL) and IT skills.”
Melanie Hussein
IT Teacher in the Foundation Phase
Used Purple Mash daily for 3-4 years
Oct 2021
I truly enjoy using Purple Mash. It has made my job easier and works for class work, homework, remote schooling as well, for the learners who want to do more on their own.
Melanie Hussein found Purple Mash:
- Significantly reduces teacher workload“Creation of Lessons, templates, quizzes and more is made quick and easy by the many tools that are available. I especially appreciate the assessment documents and guidelines.”
- Does not significantly increase student collaboration“To date, I have used the Multiplayer games tool and the 2email tools.”
- Significantly improves teaching efficiency“It is easy for the learners to find on our school's website and they recognise the Purple App colours immediately. They also enjoy the login process as they get to use the animal picture options as their passwords. In 2Code, the video instructions help those who can move on quicker and work individually.”
- Slightly improves parent engagement“We have not used this platform with our parent body but, when we worked online, parents were able to help and login easily.”
- Moderately builds student knowledge“The content is relevant and aligned with the skills that we need to teach in the foundation phase.”
Nov 2020
Purple Mash is outstanding in delivering lessons and recording achievement.
Wendy Heide found Purple Mash:
- Significantly builds student knowledge“Research tools”
- Significantly increases student collaboration“Pupils work together to make quizzes.”
- Significantly improves teaching efficiency and productivity“It's another tool/method to deliver lessons.”
- Significantly reduces teacher workload“The marking of home learning is easy and instant.”
- Significantly improves parental engagement“Allows children to share their learning and achievements.”
Nov 2020
A complete, integrated platform that genuinely engages children through its wide-ranging, interesting and constantly developing content.
Helen Worrall found Purple Mash:
- Significantly builds student knowledge“Digital literacy - the interface has enough commonalities with other commercial programs to increase transferable skills”
- Slightly increases student collaboration“2Blog has been the most used part of PM we have used, the children were able to chat about some virtual lessons”
- Significantly improves teaching efficiency and productivity“Recording of results, scores so we can track progress very easily.”
- Moderately reduces teacher workload“During lockdown definitely We weren't searching for paper-based activities, it's immediately engaging for the children and that saves a lot of thinking time.”
- Slightly improves parental engagement“We struggle with parental engagement anyway due to language barriers.”
Jul 2020
Children love it. Saves teachers time
Lizzie found Purple Mash:
- Significantly builds student knowledge“Algorithms and coding”
- Significantly increases student collaboration“Working together on problem solving”
- Significantly improves teaching efficiency and productivity“Each child has access and can continue their learning at home”
- Significantly reduces teacher workload“Ready made schemes of work.”
- Moderately improves parental engagement“Home learning”
Jun 2020
I signed our school up to Purple Mash a year ago and we have been using it for our Computing Curriculum and the occasional homework task. Staff were slowly getting to grips with the potential of Purple Mash. However, the lockdown forced all staff to learn how to work with Purple Mash. I was inundated with questions, queries and problems to solve. I messaged a couple of times on the facebook page when I didn’t know the answer and had excellent and prompt support from other users and 2Simple. As a school, we have used PM as our main platform for communication throughout lockdown. It has helped us with record keeping and keeping in touch will all our children. Staff have enjoyed using PM and parents have given excellent feedback about it and how safe it is for their children to use. The children have loved being able to independently communicate with their teacher. In summary, Purple Mash has been the backbone of our COVID-19 management. Thank you so much for providing such a responsive service for our school. The staff, parents and children appreciate all that you have done. You should all feel very proud of yourselves.
Emma Heightley found Purple Mash:
- Significantly builds student knowledge“Using Serial Mash. Knowledge of developing Computing skills”
- Significantly reduces teacher workload“During the Coronavirus Pandemic, Purple Mash as the main online learning platform. Computing lessons are planned and well-structured, saving teachers lots of time.”
Jun 2020
Purple Mash saved us from day one of lockdown. We’ve had Purple Mash for years for our computing curriculum and have always been an advocate for it, but until now we never used it to its full potential! We have recently surveyed our parents and it came tops of the many resources we offer to our home learners. Not only has it kept up the learning, but the blogs have been our children’s ‘safe’ Facebook to keep up with friends. The support that we have had from Purple Mash is amazing too!
Elaine Woodley found Purple Mash:
- Significantly builds student knowledge“Coding skills built up progressively”
- Significantly reduces teacher workload“Work during lockdown”
Sep 2019
It’s absolutely fantastic and I can’t stop singing it’s praises. It’s done wonders for our school’s computing curriculum as well as interested children in being creative with their work.
Noeleene Coutinho found Purple Mash:
- Significantly builds student knowledge“Chn research topics, create information reports and answer as through quizzes etc. ”
- Significantly reduces teacher workload“The planning, resources etc are easily available. ”
