To provide a route for the development of an individual’s skills in ICT to support them in achieving Level One or Level Two of the National Qualifications Framework, approximately equivalent to Levels 4 - 8 of the National Curriculum.

To be cross-curricular in nature and fully support the subject-based criteria within the National Qualifications Framework. Each unit, within each qualification, will be fully supported by materials.

To be used to assist teachers / tutors delivering the National Curriculum by certificating specific ICT skills. The qualifications should be delivered alongside guidance produced by QCA and DfES.

To enable candidates to build up skills, knowledge and understanding of ICT in various contexts and thus to develop as autonomous users of ICT.

To maximise the impact of ICT for Building Schools of the Future

(BSF) - The ICAA course is a potential agent of change to support the BSF Programme.

By introducing ICT tasks cross curricular and directly analysing and evidencing raised attainment we will be maximising the impact of BSF through curriculum change, fully exploiting the high level of ICT facilities embedded in BSF.

The opportunity is there for these qualifications to fundamentally change the way ICT is used in secondary sector schools by introducing curriculum delivery changes that are based on the targeted use of ICT alongside evidence of impact in each subject area.

To mirror the workplace approach to ICT use

(vocationality) - Vocationality is achieved by mirroring the workplace approach to ICT use. ICT skills are used in the workplace to facilitate the completion of purposeful tasks.

The workplace tasks in an educational context are the reports, coursework, presentations, letters, models and documents required to provide evidence of subject learning and achievement. As in the workplace setting, the focus for the ICT skills used in this specification is used to meet a relevant purpose and need.

Vocationality in ICT is important as this:

Increases the access and focus of ICT skills by offering access to a recognised qualification to ALL students whatever their chosen specialism increases the correspondence of ICT skill acquisition with similar ICT skill acquisition in working life.

Assists in the transition of candidates from education into working life by providing a qualification that links to occupational standards and delivery methods.

Makes the evaluation of candidates fairer by allowing them to demonstrate competence through ICT application in individual curriculum areas of interest. This allows candidates to work in an area of personal interest thus aiding motivation and thus encouraging the candidate to produce the necessary evidence of performance.