More than half (56%) of children aged 8–17 in the UK now use AI, according to the latest research from Ofcom, with that figure rising to two-thirds of 16–17-year-olds. Children are using AI for learning, creativity and everyday tasks, making the ability to understand and use the technology responsibly an increasingly important skill.
Recognising the growing role of AI in education, Kingswood School in Bath has launched Digital Futures, a new digital skills and AI literacy curriculum designed to give pupils the practical skills and understanding they need to use technology confidently and responsibly.
The programme goes beyond simply teaching pupils how to use technology. It encourages them to create with digital tools, think critically about the information they encounter, understand how artificial intelligence works and recognise both its possibilities and limitations.
Year 8 pupils develop core digital and AI skills, including communicating professionally online, writing effective AI prompts and checking whether information generated by AI is accurate. They also explore how misinformation spreads, the influence algorithms can have on what people see online and how their digital footprint can affect their online identity.
In Year 9, pupils look more closely at how AI systems work and learn to recognise AI-generated images, videos and other content. The course also encourages them to consider some of the wider questions surrounding AI, including its potential impact on jobs, society, ethics, power and accountability, while developing practical skills in areas such as data, video, audio and digital design.
Pupils in Years 10 and 11 can continue through self-guided modules covering the effective use of AI for study, identifying AI-generated content, staying safe online and considering ethical issues. They also explore how AI could affect future careers and complete a final project as they progress through the course.
Gareth Edgell, Head of Computer Science at Kingswood, said, “AI is already a part of everyday life for many young people, so it is important that pupils understand how to use it safely and effectively. Digital Futures gives them the chance to explore how these tools work, where they can be useful and where they have limitations, while continuing to develop the core digital and problem-solving skills they need.”
Rachel McIlwaine, Deputy Head (Academic) at Kingswood, said, “AI is changing the way young people learn, work and communicate, and education needs to keep pace with that change. Digital Futures is about preparing pupils for a world in which AI will be part of their lives, while ensuring they remain curious, independent thinkers who can question information, form their own views and make informed decisions.”
