Digital Technology (ICT)
"Everybody should learn how to program a computer, because it teaches you how to think."
- Steve Jobs
Digital Technology equips learners with the knowledge, confidence and practical skills required to function effectively in an increasingly digital world. From using devices and managing information to creating content, communicating online and staying safe, digital skills underpin everyday life, employment and further education.
The Pearson Functional Skills Digital qualifications focus on real-life and workplace relevance, ensuring students can apply their knowledge in meaningful contexts. They provide a foundation for progression into employment, further study and independent living, developing both competence and resilience in digital environments.
Believe, Achieve, Exceed
Believe:
Digital Technology contributes to the BELIEVE curriculum by supporting SMSC, British Values and online citizenship. Students explore topics such as digital footprints, online safety, responsible communication and data protection, helping them become respectful and informed digital citizens. Real-life contexts such as social media use, online identity and cyber safety are embedded across units.
Achieve:
Digital Functional Skills qualifications provide students with the opportunity to secure a recognised national qualification at Entry Level 3 (Year 10) and Level 1 (Year 11). The curriculum is accessible and inclusive, ensuring all learners develop essential digital skills regardless of prior experience. The qualification is externally assessed and graded pass/fail, supporting achievable success for all learners.
Exceed:
Students develop transferable skills such as problem-solving, independence, critical thinking and adaptability. By applying digital skills across contexts (e.g. creating documents, analysing information, online transactions), learners are prepared for further study, employment and life beyond school.
KS3
Foundation for Digital Skills
At KS3, students develop the foundational skills needed for Functional Skills Digital qualifications. This includes:
- Basic device use and navigation
- Introduction to online safety and digital responsibility
- Developing typing and document creation skills
- Introduction to communication tools (email, messaging)
The curriculum is flexible and responsive, addressing gaps in digital literacy and building confidence for KS4 study.
KS4
Functional Skills Digital Skills
At KS4, students follow two pathways:
- Year 10: Entry Level 3 Digital Functional Skills
- Year 11: Level 1 Digital Functional Skills
The curriculum is designed for students who may need additional support with digital literacy and aims to build confidence through practical, applied learning.
The qualification develops skills across five key areas:
- Using devices and handling information
- Creating and editing
- Communicating
- Transacting
- Being safe and responsible online
These areas are interconnected and taught through real-life scenarios, ensuring relevance and engagement.
Year 10
Entry Level 3
Term 6: Introduction to devices and logging in, basic digital literacy
Term 1: Using devices and handling information (files, folders, searches)
Term 2: Creating and editing (text, images, documents)
Term 3: Communicating (email, video, calls, digital footprint)
Term 4: Transacting (online, forms, basic transactions)
Term 5: Online safety and exam preparations
Focus:
- Building confidence with devices and software
- Developing basic digital communication skills
- Understanding online risks and safety
- Completing structured, guided tasks
Students will learn to navigate systems, create simple documents, communicate digitally and understand online safety risks, preparing them for Level 1 progression.
Year 11
Level 1
Term 6: Recap of entry level 3 skills and transition to level 1
Term 1: Advanced information handling (searching, evaluating, reliability, file management)
Term 2: Creating and editing (documents, spreadsheets, charts)
Term 3: Communicating (email for different contexts, managing digital identity)
Term 4: Transacting (online services, account management, security checks)
Term 5: Revision, exam preparation and assessment
Focus:
- Applying skills independently in new contexts
- Using digital tools for work-related tasks
- Evaluating information reliability and online content
- Managing online accounts and transactions safely
Students will develop the ability to apply digital skills to unfamiliar situations, reflecting workplace expectations.
Curriculum Intent Summary
Our Digital Technology curriculum aims to:
- Provide accessible, practical digital skills for all learners
- Build confidence and independence in using technology
- Prepare students for life, work and further education
- Promote safe, responsible and ethical use of digital technologies
Through a structured yet flexible approach, students are supported to progress from basic digital literacy (Year 10) to functional independence (Year 11), ensuring they leave school equipped for the demands of the modern digital world.
Assessment Information
The Pearson Edexcel Digital Functional Skills qualifications:
- Are externally assessed via on-demand, onscreen assessments
- Include both a short knowledge-based test and a longer task-based section
- Are graded Pass/Fail
Entry Level 3 assessment duration: 90 minutes
Level 1 assessment duration: 105 minutes