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Computing

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Technology around us

What technology is, what computers do and the technology we see every day

Following instructions

Step-by-step instructions and why the order matters

Programming a Bee-Bot

Using forward, back and turn to make a Bee-Bot follow a path

Using a keyboard and mouse

Letters, the space bar, shift for capitals, mouse click, drag and scroll

Staying safe online (KS1)

Telling a trusted adult, not sharing personal information and being kind online

What is an algorithm?

Understanding algorithms as step-by-step instructions to solve a problem, like a recipe or directions

Sequence in programs

Understanding that the order of instructions matters in a program: Step 1, Step 2, Step 3

Repetition: loops in programs

Using loops to repeat instructions. Count-controlled loops save writing the same code many times

Selection: 'if' statements

Using 'if' statements to make decisions in code: 'If it is raining, take an umbrella'

Variables in programs

Using variables to store values like score and lives. Variables can change as the program runs

Debugging programs

Finding and fixing errors (bugs) in code. Debugging is an important skill for any programmer

Parts of a computer

Learning about the key parts of a computer: monitor, keyboard, mouse, CPU, hard drive and RAM

Input, process, output

How computers work: input goes in, the CPU processes it, then output comes out

How computers store and retrieve data

Saving files in folders on the hard drive or in cloud storage, and opening them later

The internet and the World Wide Web

Understanding that the internet is a network of networks, and the World Wide Web is the pages we view in browsers

Searching the internet effectively

Using keywords, quoting phrases, scanning results and checking multiple sources to find what you need

Staying safe online

Using strong passwords, keeping personal information private, telling a trusted adult, and being kind online

Saving, organising and sharing files

Giving files sensible names, using folders and subfolders, saving new versions and understanding file types

Email: structure, etiquette and safety

Understanding the parts of an email, the difference between sender and recipient, and how to stay safe with attachments

Writing algorithms in pseudocode

Planning programs in plain English with numbered steps before writing real code

Flowcharts

Using shapes and arrows to show the steps and decisions in an algorithm

Decomposition: breaking down problems

Splitting big problems into smaller subproblems that are easier to solve

Abstraction: ignoring detail

Hiding complicated details so you can focus on what really matters

Pattern recognition

Spotting similarities between problems so we can reuse solutions

Logical reasoning: predicting behaviour

Working out exactly what a program will do by tracing through it step by step

Conditions and decisions in programs

Using IF, ELSE and comparisons to make programs choose what to do

Nested loops and selection

Putting one loop or IF inside another to handle more complicated patterns

Evaluating online information

Working out which websites and sources you can trust using the CRAAP test

Your digital footprint

Understanding the trail of data you leave behind every time you go online

Online respect and cyberbullying

Treating people kindly online and knowing what to do if you see or experience cyberbullying

Computer networks

How computers connect to each other to share information across rooms, cities and the world

How computers represent data

How text, images and sound are turned into numbers so a computer can store and use them

Programming concepts

How variables, sequence, selection, repetition, inputs and outputs work together in a program

About KS2 Computing practice

33 concepts of computing practice, covering Years 3 to 6 of the England national curriculum. Each concept has 10 questions across three difficulty levels, with hints if you need them and a short explanation after every answer. Your SmartScore tracks how you're doing in each concept. Get to 80 and it's marked as complete.

How it works

Pick a concept from the list above. You'll get 10 questions in mixed difficulty, using whichever question format fits the topic best: multiple choice, fill-the-blank, drag-to-order, true or false, word match, grid shading, an interactive clock face, label-the-diagram or sentence builder. Right answers add 8 to 12 points to your SmartScore; wrong ones take some off. Get to 80 and the concept is marked as complete.

Practise by year group

You can filter the concept grid above by year, or jump straight to one of the year pages:

Is it really free?

Yes. All 33 concepts and every question are free, with no signup. Your progress saves in your browser. We build this alongside our paid tutoring service, where live group lessons with qualified teachers are £5 per lesson.