Links to National Curriculum 2014

Lessons in Teaching Computing in Primary Schools

National curriculum in England: computing programmes of study 

Chapter 1: Algorithms and computational thinking in KS1

Key stage 1

Pupils should be taught to:

  • understand what algorithms are, how they are implemented as programs on digital devices, and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions
  • recognise common uses of information technology beyond school

Chapter 2: Programming in KS1

Key stage 1

Pupils should be taught to:

  • create and debug simple programs
  • use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs

Chapter 3: Manipulating digital content in KS1

Key stage 1

Pupils should be taught to:

  • use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content

Chapter 4: Programming in KS2

Key stage 2

Pupils should be taught to:

  • design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them 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 detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs

Chapter 5: Physical computing in KS1

Key stage 1

Pupils should be taught to:

  • create and debug simple programs
  • recognise common uses of information technology beyond school

Chapter 6: Understanding computer networks in KS2

Key stage 2

Pupils should be taught to:

  • understand computer networks, including the internet; how they can provide multiple services, such as the World Wide Web, and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration

Chapter 7: Searching wisely for digital information in KS2

Key stage 2

Pupils should be taught to:

  • use search technologies effectively, appreciate how results are selected and ranked, and be discerning in evaluating digital content

Chapter 8: Using technology purposefully in KS2

Key stage 2

Pupils should be taught to:

  • 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 given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information

Chapter 9: Extending computing to meet individual needs in KS2

Key stage 2

Pupils should be taught to:

  • design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts
  • use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output
  • 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 given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information

Chapter 10: Embedding computational thinking: moving from graphical to text-based languages

Key Stage 1

Pupils should be taught to:

  • create and debug simple programs
  • use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs

Key Stage 2

Pupils should be taught to:

  • design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them 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 detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs

Key Stage 3

  • use two or more programming languages, at least one of which is textual, to solve a variety of computational problems; make appropriate use of data structures (for example, lists, tables or arrays)