Information and Communication Technology
 Introduction to Department |
The ICT department is located mainly on the ground floor of the school and has six dedicated ICT suites plus a fully networked classroom and an e-learning centre. Each suite provides facilities for individual use for up to 22 pupils. Two of our computer rooms are in the new Business and Enterprise Suite which is just outside the ICT corridor.
The computers are fully networked with high speed internet access available at all stations and have up to date operating systems and applications software including Microsoft Office and the latest Macromedia Suite.
The department has a range of technology including digital projectors and interactive whiteboards, laser and colour inkjet printers, webcam facilities, digital cameras, scanners and sound recording.
Technical support is provided by a network manager and two additional technicians
All pupils use ICT facilities in accordance with the schools computer use policy.
| Members of Staff List |
Mrs L. Penney - Assistant Head, Programme Director ICT
Mr S. Smith - E Learning Manager
Mrs J. Howard
Miss C. McCrabbe
Miss C. Calveley - Programme Director: Business Education & Enterprise
Miss L. McGiffen
Mr. W. Taylor
Ms R. Overend
Mr S. Hussain - Assistant Programme Director ICT KS3
| Parts of Curriculum Covered |
Key Stage 3
Pupils have one, one hour lesson per week in each of years 7 and 8. Topics covered are:
Communicating and presenting information
Modelling
Data handling
Control
ICT In society
Safe use of the internet
In year 9 pupils study ICT for two hours per week. Lessons build on the topics covered in years 7 and 8 and both prepare students for their end of Key Stage 3 assessment and cover the mandatory unit (ICT for Business) of the OCR course studied in Key Stage 4.
Key Stage 4
At key stage 4 students follow the OCR First National Diploma ICT syllabus.
This qualification is equivalent in size to 1, 2, 3 or 4 GCSEs depending on each individual pupil’s ability and whether it is chosen as a double option or studied as core ICT.
We use various on-line learning materials as well as text books. This means that pupils can access the curriculum in school and at home.
Pupils have 2 or 5 lessons a week and follow one mandatory unit of work plus additional units.
| Gifted and Talented Students |
Students identified as gifted and talented in ICT have 4 lessons per week in year 9 and 3 per week in year 10 to advance them through the OCR course with a view to completing it by the end of Year 10.
In year 11 students may choose to follow the internationally recognised ORACLE database and programming course or a more traditional AS level in ICT.
| Additional Information about Department |
Many students benefit from participation in the school's laptop leasing scheme. This gives them access to the school network, all necessary software and internet access. Pupils participating in the laptop scheme are encouraged to utilise them in other curricular areas.
Selected pupils in year 8 are issued with PDAs to enhance their learning and give them greater access to technology.
After school clubs already established are:
Key-boarding,
Web design
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