The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Department
The ICT Department uses a range of technology and teaching styles to cover the National Strategy for ICT, and offers a wide range of ICT courses aimed at showing pupils how best to use computer technology in their own work and also in the world at large.
A large number of different computer programs are used in order to allow each pupil to experiment and problem-solve, and we encourage them to use the skills learned in all subject areas within the school to help their own learning. We aim to get the pupils to become independent users of the technology to suit the work they need to fulfil.
allowing the pupils to access the wealth of abundant and vital information held on the Internet
We also provide teaching aimed at ensuring pupils are aware of their obligations in using such technology both ethically and morally. We are committed as a school and department to allowing the pupils to access the wealth of abundant and vital information held on the Internet but we are also acutely aware of some of the negative sides to using such technology.
Pupils are taught the correct and safe use of the Internet and we have a strict policy that they must follow if they are to use it successfully.
- To teach ICT as a discrete subject in Key Stage 3 and 4.
- To ensure that pupils of all abilities have equal access to ICT.
- To ensure facilities are practical and up to date.
- To share ICT facilities and expertise with the wider community.
- To promote the use of ICT across the whole school population including pupils and staff.
At Key Stage 3 Year 7 & Year 8 pupils receive one lesson per week following the ICT National Strategy Units. Year 9 pupils receive two lessons per week and receive teacher levels at the end of the year.
In Year 10 & Year 11 all pupils are taught OCR Nationals in ICT. These courses are equivalent to one, two, three or four GCSE’s depending on ability.
We hold a range of activities throughout the year with our primary school partners including delivering some discrete ICT lessons to the pupils as well as an end of year Newspaper Day held at the school where each pupil contributes to the making of a newspaper from nothing to complete and published in one day!
The department has the best ICT facilities available anywhere and in conjunction with a very strong and forward-thinking ICT Working Party, consisting of members from across the whole school.
give our pupils the best chance of success in the world of work
We believe our facilities are constantly kept up to date. This is vital in the modern world in order to give our pupils the best chance of success in the world of work. The school itself commits substantial funds each year to ensure that this is the case and our equipment is envied by others in education.
In order to ensure success in the subject, we offer a range of extra-curricular activities to all students including coursework clubs, half-term catch-up sessions and an ICT summer school for Years 6, 9 and 10.
