ICT

The ICT Department aims to provide a broad and balanced ICT curriculum, enabling our students to discover their full potential whilst taking responsibility for their own learning. We hope to create in every student, a confidence in his ICT skills and an awareness of how to use it in the most effective way.

KEY STAGE 3

All students in Years 8, 9 and 10 are timetabled for one class (35 minutes) a week as a discrete ICT class. At Key Stage 3 we teach our students how to use the generic software packages such as:

  • The basics of computer modelling using Spreadsheets.
  • Data handling using a relational database.
  • Presentational techniques.
  • Web design.
  • Advanced searching of the Internet.
  • Desktop publishing and text processing techniques
  • Graphical manipulation

We also teach the basics in creative ICT packages such as:

  • Comic Life – create comic strips using images and text.
  • CrazyTalk – make a character come to life with speech and expression.
  • Photostory – recreate a story using photos, voiceover and music.
  • GameMaker – create real games using events and sprites.
  • Video Editing – trim and combine video clips and add effects.
  • Mediator – create an interactive multimedia product.
  • Audacity – edit sound clips using trim and combine methods.

All of the above packages are installed on our legacy network which includes both PCs and Apple Macs. Each student has his own computer which aids independent work.

As a department we welcome the Key Stage 3 ICT Accreditation scheme as part of the Revised Curriculum and play a major role in developing and coordinating this cross-curricular qualification. Our schemes are tailored to ensure that all students are taught the necessary ICT skills before they apply them to other subject tasks.

GCSE

Students have the option to choose ICT at GCSE level in Year 11. We currently offer the CCEA GCSE ICT qualification which provides students with the technical knowledge, skills and understanding needed in a world increasingly dominated by the use of ICT systems.

Through studying GCSE in ICT, students become more independent and discerning users of ICT who can make informed decisions about its use. They have opportunities to acquire and apply creative and Technical Skills, Knowledge and Understanding of ICT in a range of contexts. They also develop their understanding of new technologies and their impact on society. They take a practical approach, developing and evaluating ICT-based solutions of their own to solve problems. At the same time, they focus on ensuring that their practice is safe, secure and responsible.

The qualification offers students a practical approach to ICT by presenting Modules in Web Design, Desktop Publishing, Multimedia Design, and task-based coursework (accounting for 60 percent of the overall grade). It also allows students to incorporate ICT related work that they are carrying out in other subjects.

A-LEVEL

Students have the option to choose ICT at A-Level in Year 13. We currently offer the Vocational Course Applied ICT by the OCR Examinations Board, which consists entirely of coursework components.

This broad-based qualification provides a more vocational perspective. Throughout the course, students develop all the necessary skills required in ICT and apply these within work-related contexts. The course prepares students to enter a variety of ICT or computing degree level courses, or provide further training whilst in employment.

The aim of this specification is to encourage students to:

  • Develop a broad range of ICT skills and knowledge of the uses of ICT in vocational contexts, as a basis for progression into further learning in ICT-related fields, including progression from AS to A2.
  • Develop knowledge and understanding of the components, functions and applications of information systems within a range of Organisations.
  • Develop an understanding of the main principles of solving problems using ICT and develop the skills necessary to apply this understanding.
  • Apply their knowledge and understanding of ICT and use skills (e.g. planning, research, evaluation, problem solving) in vocational contexts.
  • Develop an understanding of the impact of information systems on organisations’ personnel, policies and practices.
  • Develop project management skills and an understanding of the need to work with others.

All Year 13 students are offered the opportunity to obtain a Key Skills ICT Level 3 qualification. Two periods per week are allocated and there are 3 class groups.  Each student has individual access to a computer during all of the class time.

ICT FACILITIES

As a school, we have invested heavily in the development of ICT equipment and resources. Currently we have over 240 computers operating on two different networks – Legacy and C2K, which is managed by our own Network Manager. Currently we have:

  • Six computer suites consisting of 25 legacy computers
  • One Apple Mac suite of 25 computers
  • 20 C2K computers in the Study Hall
  • 21 C2K computers in the Library
  • 25 C2K laptops on a trolley in Science Department
  • 50 C2K computers in classrooms
  • 14 C2K computers used in Administration
  • 6 Apple Macs in Art

We also have a number of ICT digital resources which are available for all staff and students to use on a regular basis. This includes:

  • 8 Camcorders
  • 4 Digital Cameras
  • Scanner
  • Digital Tablet
  • Colour Printer (A4 and A3)
  • 2 C2K laptops
  • A set of Quizdom assessment devices
  • A set of ActiVote devices
  • Digital Voice Recorders
  • Video Conferencing Facilities

Every classroom within the school has a computer which is connected to an Interactive Whiteboard and a data projector. This investment which took place a number of years ago has been a great success and has turned the ordinary classroom into a multimedia enriched environment.

We encourage student participation in the classroom and have recently purchased equipment such as Activote and Quizdom where they each receive their own hand held device to send answers or comments to the Interactive Whiteboard. The teacher is able to receive immediate feedback from the class and display the results back to the students.

The school recently invested in a video conferencing facility allowing us to communicate and share resources with other schools and educational authorities around the world.