Year 5 Computing: What to Teach (England)

Your Teacher Information Pack for Year 5 Computing: every national curriculum statement, the tests and dates that matter, and trusted links. Tick what you're teaching and send it straight into the lesson plan maker.

Country
England
Key stage
KS2
Ages
9–10
Status
Compulsory national curriculum subject at KS2
Source
National curriculum in England – Published 2013-09-11
Last checked
2026-10-20

Roughly the same age as US Grades 2–5 (approximate: the systems don't line up exactly).

The KS2 programme of study for this subject covers the whole key stage; schools decide what to teach in which year.

Current. The government response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review (Nov 2025) says a revised national curriculum will be published by spring 2027 for first teaching from September 2028.

What to teach

Below is the official programme of study for Year 5 Computing: the statutory statements first, then any non-statutory notes and guidance, which schools don't have to follow.

Key stage 2 7 statutory statements

Pupils should be taught to:

Key stage 2 Statutory

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
  • 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
  • use search technologies effectively, appreciate 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 given goals, including collecting, analysing, evaluating and presenting data and information
  • use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact

Read this on GOV.UK

Assessments and key dates

There are no national tests or checks in Year 5. Your school will use its own assessments.

Trusted free resources

Links only: we don't copy their content and we aren't connected to these organisations.

More packs

Other subjects in Year 5: English, Maths, Science, Art and Design, Design and Technology, Geography, History, Languages, Music, PE.

Find another TIP · National curriculum overview

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Department for Education, National curriculum in England: computing programmes of study (GOV.UK), © Crown copyright.

Statements in the curriculum lists are copied word for word from GOV.UK; everything else on this page (headings, notes, summaries) is written by us. Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department for Education or the Standards and Testing Agency. Always check the official documents linked on this page.

Questions teachers ask

Is computing compulsory in Year 5?

Yes. Computing is a compulsory national curriculum subject at KS2 in England (national curriculum framework, figure 1).

Is the Year 5 content set out year by year?

The KS2 programme of study for this subject covers the whole key stage; schools decide what to teach in which year.