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Digital Skills
At Burnham Grammar we have a extensive Digital Skills programme that allows students to develop and understand their digital surroundings. Two key themes of the Digital Skills Programme are the Intranet Team and mentorship, and the Chromebook design competitions.
Intranet Team
Our Student Intranet Team plays a vital role in the digital life of the school, demonstrating exceptional commitment, technical expertise, and collaborative spirit. Historically comprised of Key Stage 5 students, the team has been responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the student intranet, a platform accessed daily by over 1,300 students and more than 100 staff, with almost complete autonomy.
What makes the work of this team particularly impressive is that all code is written from scratch, with students developing the required skills independently, beyond the scope of the Key Stage 5 Computer Science curriculum. This is not a taught element of any course, but a testament to the students’ motivation, problem-solving ability, and willingness to learn and adapt in a real-world digital environment.
In recent years, the team has evolved to support the development of younger talent. A mentoring structure has been introduced, and last year saw the first Key Stage 4 student join the team. This year, the model has grown further to include students from both Year 10 and Year 9, strengthening continuity and supporting leadership development through peer mentoring and collaboration. This provides younger students with access to mentors who not only have strong coding skills, but who can also share insights into broader areas of Computer Science, extending beyond the content of both the Key Stage 4 and 5 curricula. It forms part of our ongoing commitment to nurturing talent and curiosity within our school community.
Each year, the team develops and launches a new feature on the intranet, shaped by feedback from across the staff & student body. Their contributions are not only central to the smooth running of our digital systems, but also provide valuable experience which students draw upon in UCAS interviews and personal statements.
In addition to developing technical and teamwork skills, students gain real-world experience by working on a live, high-impact platform used daily by the school community. Students frequently draw on this work in UCAS applications and university interviews, demonstrating project management, problem-solving, and innovation in a live, high-impact setting.
We encourage students with an interest in digital development to put themselves forward for future teams. As part of our wider digital skills programme, this opportunity is open to all key stage 5 students (& some in KS4 under special circumstances), not just those studying Computer Science at Key Stage 5. The intranet team reflects our school’s commitment to innovation, leadership, and preparing students for success in the digital world.
This years team of Intranet students are, William, Angad, Aadam, and Isa. Keep an eye out for any upcoming changes.
Chrome Book Competiton
At various points throughout the academic year, students are given the opportunity to take part in our Digital Design Competitions, which invite the students to create a homepage or ‘landing page’ to be featured across the school’s digital platforms for a week. These pages are viewed by all students and staff (circa 1500 people) and provide a vibrant showcase of creativity, technical skill, and student voice.
The competition is run entirely as an extra curricular initiative, reinforcing our commitment to fostering a responsible, innovative, and digitally literate student community. Working independently, students are given a theme and brief, which they interpret using Google Sites, a tool within the Google Workspace suite that underpins much of our digital learning environment.
Participants are for the most part required to develop their skills independently with access to a small suite of tutorials, developing not only their technical skills but also a deep understanding of digital design principles. They create original imagery, curate appropriate content, and consider layout and user experience carefully, all within a set deadline.
Entries are then reviewed, and a shortlist is selected by an internal judging panel or, on occasion, by external visitors. One of our most notable examples includes our Impact Competition, where the Head of Sustainability at Selfridges, invited to act as guest judge, remarked that the winning entry was so professional they initially mistook it for our school’s official website. This high praise is a testament to the calibre of work our students produce.
Design competitions are not limited to a single department. They may be led by any subject area or school group. Themes are often aligned with key pastoral messages, national awareness days, or seasonal festivities, offering a rich and varied set of opportunities for students to express their ideas and contribute meaningfully to our school’s digital presence.
Through these competitions, we empower our students to take ownership of their learning, demonstrate initiative, and contribute to the school’s culture in a way that is both creative and purposeful.
Here is an interview with this years winners:
ANAM
A: I’ve always loved art and being creative. The competition was a great chance for me to express myself through design.
A: I created it on Canva using a bright, colorful theme that shows a school scene with Earthwood stationery. I chose eye-catching colours to make the design stand out.
A: I was really happy! Knowing that over 1,300 people would see something I created was such a great feeling.
A: The hardest part was downloading all the images I needed. It took a lot of time and patience, but it was worth it.
A: Use bold, colourful designs and try to come up with something original. Be creative and don’t copy what’s already been done.
A: Definitely! This experience has made me even more excited to keep learning and creating new designs.
SASHA
A: Design has always been something I’m passionate about. My dad is a graphic designer, so I’ve grown up around creativity. This competition felt like the perfect chance to express my ideas and show what I can do.
A: I created three designs: a welcome theme, a Christmas theme, and one focused on impact. I wanted each one to reflect the school’s branding and values. My aim was to produce inclusive artwork that the whole school community could connect with.
A: It was an incredible feeling. Being chosen from the entire school and knowing that over 1,300 people would see my design made me feel really proud. It was a huge moment for me.
A: The biggest challenge was making sure my designs stayed closely linked to the school’s theme, while still being imaginative. Finding the right images and researching carefully took time and effort.
A: Pay close attention to the guidelines, but don’t be afraid to let your creativity shine. Aim to make a design that not only looks good but also has meaning for your school.
A: Absolutely. This competition has shown me how much I enjoy bringing ideas to life through design. It’s something I definitely want to keep exploring, whether that’s through school projects or even a future career.
GABRIELLA
A: I really enjoy creative work, and the competition was a great opportunity to explore my ideas and express myself through design.
A: My design had an eco-friendly theme. I included images of trees and wanted to promote environmental awareness and sustainability.
A: I felt so proud. It meant a lot to know that so many people across the school would see and appreciate my work.
A: Finding the right images and making sure they matched my theme was quite challenging. I wanted the design to clearly show my message.
A: Stick to the brief, be creative, and don’t be afraid to use vibrant colors that catch people’s attention.
A: Absolutely. Design is something I really enjoy, and I’d love to continue developing my skills in the future.
