Studying IT at Abbot Beyne School is about building confident, capable, and responsible users of technology who can thrive in a fast-changing digital world. The intent is to develop students’ practical skills in using a range of software and digital tools, alongside the problem-solving mindset needed to plan, create, test, and improve digital solutions. Students learn how technology is used in real workplaces—communicating professionally, managing information securely, and making informed choices about digital systems—while also understanding the importance of online safety, digital wellbeing, and ethical use of data. Ultimately, the course aims to equip every student with transferable skills for further study, apprenticeships, and employment, helping them become resilient, adaptable, and career-ready.
Students start with clear communication and online safety through digital media, then build foundational understanding of networks, develop computational thinking via Scratch programming, learn to model data using spreadsheets, and use digital media to create purposeful content.
Year 8 develops creativity and technical knowledge through vector graphics, explores how computers work through layers of computing systems, builds practical skills in web development, deepens understanding of data representation, introduces mobile app development, and transitions into text-based coding with Python programming.
Year 9 strengthens programming by working with sequences of data in Python, develops creativity through animations, introduces data science, extends data representation, teaches the application of cybersecurity, and applies coding in real contexts through physical computing projects.
In Years 10 and 11, students following the Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Digital Information Technology complete three components that build both practical and workplace-ready digital skills.
Students study:
Component 1: Exploring User Interface Design Principles and Project Planning Techniques (creating and justifying an effective UI using clear design principles and project planning tools)
Component 2: Collecting, Presenting and Interpreting Data (gathering data, manipulating it, presenting it clearly and drawing conclusions to support decisions) — both assessed through internally assessed coursework.
Component 3: Effective Digital Working Practices, a synoptic external assessment, which brings learning together around how digital systems are used in organisations, including safe and effective ways of working, data protection, and the wider impact of digital technology in real-world contexts
Useful links
https://scratch.mit.edu/ – Scratch
https://inkscape.org/ – Inkscape
https://code.org/en-US – Code.org
https://editor.raspberrypi.org/en-US/ – HTML and Python code editor.
https://www.blender.org/ – 3d Rendering Software
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/btec-tech-awards/digital-information-technology-2022.html BTEC Qualification.
Who to contact if you want further information
Mrs Mistry – s.mistry@abbotbeyneschool.co.uk