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What your child learns in Key Stage 2 computing

Computing in KS2
In Years 3 to 6, computing lessons are a key part of the curriculum. Here’s what your child will learn in KS2.

In Key Stage 1, your child will have been given a solid grounding in the basics of computing, including understanding algorithms, creating simple programs and learning how to stay safe online.

In Key Stage 2, your child will build on these skills and extend their mastery of computers, as both user and creator. The computing curriculum aims to make children computionally aware, teaching them concepts (how to predict and analyse results, how to break a problem down into parts, how to spot and use similarities and how to evaluate) and approaches to help them problem-solve.

Computing in Key Stage 2

In Years 3 to 6, your child will be taught to:
 

  • Design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems.
  • Solve problems by breaking them down into smaller parts.
  • Use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output.
  • Use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to find and correct errors in algorithms and programs.
  • Understand computer networks including the internet; how they can provide multiple services, such as the worldwide web; and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration.
  • Use search technologies effectively, understand how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content.
  • Select, use and combine a variety of software (including internet services) on a range of digital devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content that accomplish specific goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information.
  • Use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable and unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact.

Computing in the classroom

Computing projects in Years 3 to 6 might include:

  • Developing a simple computer game using a visual, interactive programming language such as Scratch.
  • Creating a web page about cyber safety.
  • Learning to write and edit simple algorithms using HTML.
  • Setting up a class blog about what they have been learning at school.
  • Using search engines to collect information about a project.
  • Creating a Powerpoint presentation about something they learned on a school trip.
  • Taking photos using a digital camera, transferring them to the hard drive and editing them.
  • Producing digital music using an app like Isle of Tune.

Computing lessons often won't use a computer at all!

Want to know more about how to nurture your budding Steve Jobs? Find out why computer coding is a great skill for your child to master.

Cracking Computing is a brilliant set of animated BBC films about computing, designed for KS2 students. The series, narrated by comedian and actor Doc Brown, explores some key KS2 computing topics.

You can also find out about algorithms, computational logic, variables, debugging and more in TheSchoolRun's ICT and computing glossary, a complete guide to all the terminology your child will be introduced to.

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