Key Stage 4 · ages 14 to 16
Key Stage 4 computing: what your child learns
At Key Stage 4 the curriculum sets out broad aims rather than a list of topics, so your teenager’s course depends on what their school offers. All pupils should develop capability in computer science, digital media and information technology, and apply analytic, problem-solving, design and computational thinking. They also learn how changing technology affects safety and privacy, and how to report a range of concerns.
Guides for parents
Key Stage 4 computing
Computational thinking and programming
How Years 10 and 11 break problems down, write algorithms and programs, trace and test them, with a worked example and ideas to help a teenager at home.
Key Stage 4 computing
Design skills in computing
How Years 10 and 11 design computer solutions before building them: requirements, inputs and outputs, data, interfaces, test plans and evaluation, with a worked example.
Key Stage 4 computing
GCSE computer science
What Key Stage 4 computing and GCSE computer science cover: algorithms, programming, data, systems and logic, with a binary search example, common mistakes and home help.
Key Stage 4 computing
Digital media skills
What digital media work looks like in Years 10 and 11: images, audio, video and layout, file formats, copyright, and how to support a creative teenager at home.
Key Stage 4 computing
Information technology skills
How Years 10 and 11 use information technology to solve real problems: spreadsheets, databases, data, evaluating new tools, and ways to help your teenager at home.
Key Stage 4 computing
Reporting online concerns
How Years 10 and 11 learn to report a range of online concerns, from harmful content and bullying to scams and threats, and how to support a teenager who has a problem.
Key Stage 4 computing
Online safety and privacy as technology changes
How Years 10 and 11 learn to protect online privacy and identity as technology changes: passwords, scams, deepfakes, data and tracking, with a worked example.
Everything in the Key Stage 4 computing curriculum
The National Curriculum topics for Key Stage 4, in the order the National Curriculum lists them.