Is there anything in the national curriculum about word processing, spreadsheets etc?

[shindigg]

Google hasn't helped, so I'm trying the Mumsnet hive mind ...

Now that 'Computing' has replaced 'ICT' is there any expectation at all that schools will teach children how to use word processing software (e.g. MS Word), spreadsheets (e.g. MS Excel) , presentation software (e.g. MS Powerpoint), or are students expected to pick it up by osmosis? I've noticed that some Year 7 homework seems to expect kids to be familiar with these things, but our primary school never covered it.

Luckily I can help my kids with this at home, but some other parents and kids are struggling.

The relevant parts of the computing curriculum would be:
Key stage 1 (5-7) use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs, use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content

Key stage 2 (7-11) 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

Key stage 3 (11-14) undertake creative projects that involve selecting, using, and combining multiple applications, preferably across a range of devices, to achieve challenging goals, including collecting and analysing data and meeting the needs of known users

As you can see, it's all very vague. I can see why they don't specify particular programmes (availability varies in different schools). But it can make things hard for people.

Wow, yes, very vague.

Well yes, there's an expectation, however in my school you'd be lucky to find enough laptops that work between three children.

We're at a standard state primary and they have definitely covered using Google programmes as my son knows how to navigate the options better than me!

He's covered a word type doc and presentation forma, nothing on sheets though.

My year 7 is covering those as we speak the work he was going was saying that each of them word/wxcel/powerpoint have different levels of usability basic is easy to understand through to more complicated things