Subjects & Qualifications

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Internet Safety

SQA offers the first National Qualification in the EU relating to internet safety. The new qualification (FOH5 10 Internet Safety) is intended for anyone who regularly uses the internet and wants to protect themselves while they're online. It's particularly suitable to young people, small businesses and online shoppers. It has been developed in collaboration with a number of external partners (including BT, Microsoft and Strathclyde Police).

It is the first ‘e-only’ qualification SQA offer, whereby there is no traditional teaching and almost no paperwork involved. A comprehensive Learning and Teaching pack is available online as is the assessment of the knowledge part of the Unit.

The Frequently Asked Questions will answer the key questions such as:

What is internet safety about?
What’s in the qualification?
How is it assessed?
How does my centre become involved?
What materials are available?
How much does it cost?

You will find all you need to deliver this qualification in the links below:

Unit Specification (54 KB) details the national standard to be achieved in order for a student to gain this qualification.
Teaching and Learning Materials covering the whole Course are available online. These comprehensive materials are ideal for teacher-led delivery of for students to work through on their own.
Delivery Guide (191 KB) explains how to use the material in a variety of different ways (such as face-to-face or distance learning).
Assessment Support Packs (ASP) provides information on how centres could generate the evidence to demonstrate that candidates have achieved the standard required. These materials are on the secure area of SQA's website which can be accessed by your centre's SQA Co-ordinator.
Online Assessment covering the knowledge part of the Unit. The knowledge assessment consists of 25 multiple choice questions to assess students’ knowledge of internet safety (such as the meaning of words or how to avoid certain threats).

The knowledge assessment can easily be assessed online through SOLAR. Solar can be used for summative assessments and can be used by tutors and lecturers to create formative and practice assessments. If you are a Scottish school or college then you are already approved to offer the qualification. If not, then you need to seek approval by contacting SQA either by e-mail or telephone (0303 333 0330).

If you are another SQA centre (e.g. PTP, Local Authority etc) and would also like to use the online assessment through Solar, then please contact Joan Morris on solar@sqa.org.uk. Visit the Solar website (www.sqasolar.org.uk) to see when we are next holding training events in the use of Solar.

The practical assessment involves maintaining a diary (or a blog) to describe student activities and demonstrate how they protected themselves while online.

If you have any further queries relating to this qualification, please e-mail ict@sqa.org.uk.

Related Publications

Intermediate 1 Internet Safety

Internet Safety Skills Intermediate 1 Handbook

Author – Ted Hastings

Written by the author of the course content, this handy A5 book addresses the new Intermediate 1 Internet Safety Qualification for reference throughout the course. It provides complete coverage of all the topics in both Areas of Study, addressing Knowledge and Understanding and Problem Solving elements and includes bespoke chapters on: Viruses, Malicious Software, Other Internet Threats, Internet Defences and Legal Aspects. Information is presented in full colour throughout, with screen-shots illustrating best safe practice within each topic area. Ideal as a reference tool for all students for safe and responsible use of the internet.