24 Feb 2026
The latest edition of 'What’s new from Cambridge? was shared with schools via the Cambridge website today, and one of the most significant updates is a major refresh to the Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary Digital Literacy curricula. Being able to operate effectively in today's digital world is a life skill and, as such, the update reflects the growing importance of digital and media literacy in schools worldwide, particularly with the increasing influence of AI over how young people learn, communicate and create.
For learners aged 5–14, the updated Cambridge Primary Digital Literacy and Lower Secondary Digital Literacy curricula develop digital maturity, which means going beyond functional skills to build judgement, critical thinking and confidence. Rather than focusing on mastery of specific digital platforms, the curricula help students decide why, when and how technology should be used. The curricula are available immediately and are free to registered Cambridge schools.
The emphasis is on retaining learner agency and authorship in a fast-moving digital landscape, prioritising human intelligence while exploring both the challenges and benefits AI presents. The shift marks a clear move from teaching children simply to consume technology towards empowering them to question, evaluate and shape it.
The curricula will also help teachers address some of the concerns about students’ use of technology voiced in Cambridge’s recent global study, Preparing Learners to Thrive in a Changing World. Over a third (34%) of teachers selected over-reliance on technology and reduced critical thinking and creativity as the greatest challenge that technology might pose in preparing students for the future.
Learning in today’s digital world
Curriculum author Beverly Clarke MBE said: "It is essential that educators across all subject areas support young learners to think deeply and critically about AI and their relationship to it. This revised Cambridge curriculum supports schools to engage with AI in a positive, proactive and informed way, embedding age-appropriate content that empowers learners to develop confidence, curiosity and critical thinking as they navigate an increasingly AI-enabled world."
Listen to Beverly and Digital Literacy Teacher Nadja Djordjevic discuss how we help young learners thrive in a world shaped by AI without losing their curiosity, agency, or authentic voice on the Cambridge Brighter Thinking Pod.
Schools can deliver Digital Literacy as a standalone subject or integrate it across other areas of learning, depending on timetabling and curriculum design. There is no formal assessment; instead, learners receive formative feedback through discussion and observation.
Further What’s new updates
As well as the changes to Digital Literacy, the February What’s New? update also includes information about:
- Cambridge IGCSE Commerce
- digital exams for Early Adopter Programme from June 2026 and worldwide from June 2027 onwards
- access to the full Cambridge Climate Change Education Framework on the Schools Support Hub
- downloading and reviewing scripts through My Cambridge.
Go to the What’s New? section of the website to view the full list of updates.
Sign up for syllabus updates
To help teachers plan ahead, we provide advance notice of changes to syllabuses at least a year before first teaching. If you'd like to be emailed the latest news and details of syllabus changes for your subject area, sign up today.