KS3 Computing Report Comments (Years 7-9)

Computing covers computational thinking and algorithms, writing, testing and debugging code in a text-based language, data representation such as binary and hexadecimal, computer systems, networks and cyber security, legal and ethical issues, online safety and creating digital artefacts.

Below are 13 sample sentences for KS3 (Years 7-9): two strengths and one next step for each of the 4 comment levels (Excellent / Good / Developing / Needs support), plus a tip for families. They are a small selection from the 288 computing sentences in the full pack. Copy one, then add a detail only you know about the student.

Jump to: Excellent · Good · Developing · Needs support · Writing tips

Student name Pronouns

Fills in the name and pronouns on this page. Nothing is sent anywhere.

Excellent E

Strengths

Building web pages for a chosen audience, [Name] writes clean HTML and uses styling thoughtfully, going well beyond the brief set in class.
[Name] weighs the legal, ethical and environmental impacts of technology perceptively, considering several viewpoints before reaching a balanced conclusion.

Next step

A next step is to learn how hexadecimal relates to binary, so that [Name] can explain how colours are represented in the code of a web page.

Good G

Strengths

[Name] builds simple web pages in HTML, adding headings, images and links that suit the intended audience.
[Name] gives thoughtful examples of how technology affects society, including issues of privacy and the environmental cost of discarded devices.

Next step

Learning key cyber security terms from the knowledge organiser, such as phishing, malware and firewall, will help [Name] explain threats more precisely.

Developing D

Strengths

When building a first web page, [Name] adds headings and text in HTML with some guidance and is learning how tags structure a page.
When discussing technology in society, [Name] makes relevant points about privacy and is learning to explain them in more depth.

Next step

Practising what to do if something online causes worry, including who to tell, will help [Name] stay safe and act sensibly.

Needs support N

Strengths

Building a simple web page from a template, [Name] has added a heading and some text and is beginning to see how pages are made.
[Name] is beginning to recognise suspicious emails and messages and knows to pause and check before clicking on unfamiliar links.

Next step

[Name]'s target is to create a strong password using three random words and explain why it is safer than a simple one.

Support at home

You could ask your child to write an everyday task, such as making a sandwich, as an algorithm, then follow the steps exactly to test it.

How to write computing comments for KS3 (Years 7-9)

Years 7 to 9 often include the move from block-based to text-based programming. Describe where the student is in that move, such as writing selection and loops in text code, and what to try next.
Name the debugging habit the student uses: reading error messages, testing with different inputs, or tracing code line by line. Debugging strategies show understanding better than a polished finished project.
For theory topics, give one concrete example, such as converting a binary number to denary or explaining what a phishing email is trying to do, so families know exactly what was learned.

Watch out: Avoid treating confidence with games, phones or social media as computing knowledge. Describe what the student understands from lessons, such as how input validation prevents errors, and leave home screen use out.

The four levels describe how secure, accurate and independent the learning is, never a grade. Excellent suits precise, perceptive work that applies ideas to unfamiliar contexts; Good suits usually accurate with occasional guidance; Developing suits sometimes, or with a worked example; Needs support names what is emerging and the help that works. Show the level through the work rather than writing the level word.

What Computing covers

In these comments, computing covers these behaviours:

uses computational thinking: decomposition, abstraction and algorithms (flowcharts and pseudocode)
writes, tests and debugs programs in a text-based language, using sequence, selection, iteration, variables and subroutines
understands data representation, including binary and hexadecimal
understands computer systems, networks and cyber security
considers legal, ethical and environmental issues and stays safe online
creates digital artefacts for a given audience

More UK secondary subjects comments

How these sentences were made, and what has been checked: About these comments.