Information and Communication Technology Faculty
In Information and Communication Technology we aim to equip students with the skills and understanding needed to become confident and competent users of ICT systems. The skills they gain in ICT lessons are used in many of their other subjects. They are taught to select, use, and combine a range of appropriate software applications to suit particular purposes and audiences, and how to use Internet facilities appropriately and safely.
Key Stage 3
In Year 7 students learn how to manage their own user area on the school network and how to send, receive, forward and reply to emails appropriately. They learn how to access and explore the Internet safely and start to take into account the accuracy and reliability of information gathered from a range of sources. They are also taught to acknowledge the sources of their information and consider the implications of copyright. Through a range of user-oriented projects they develop skills in a range of applications software such as word processors, desk top publishing, spreadsheets, databases, graphics and audio software. In addition they start to consider the audience for their work and justify the decisions they make in their designing.
In Year 8 students build on the skills and knowledge introduced in Year 7. They learn how to create a community website and use this as a focus for the projects that they carry out over the year. They use graphics applications to create and prepare pictures for their website and are introduced to animation software along with some limited control through the use of action script. They explore more advanced features in spreadsheets and databases, and learn to consider a range of different audiences/users and explore the impact of ICT on society.
In Year 9 students build on the skills and knowledge covered in Year 7 and Year 8. In addition they follow a programme of study which will prepare them for the Functional Skills Level 2 examination which will be taken at the end of Year 9.
Key Stage 4
We currently offer students the opportunity to study either the OCR Nationals Level 2 in ICT or the Edexcel GCSE ICT.
The OCR Level 2 Nationals in ICT have been developed to recognise learners’ skills, knowledge and understanding of Information and Communication Technology functions, environments and operations. Students opting for this course will carry out a range of tasks that have been designed to recognise their achievements in a modern, practical way that is relevant to the workplace.
The Edexcel GCSE is a brand new course for 2010. It is designed to help students become confident users of ICT through a series of relevant topics and active learning methods. Functional Skills are embedded within the practical tasks of this specification. This course offers the opportunity to be studied as a single or a double award. Assessment is through a controlled assessment task and a written paper.
Both courses will provide the skills, knowledge and understanding needed in the workplace and to progress to AS and A Level ICT.
Key Stage 5
We offer the opportunity for students to study ICT to both AS and A2 level. Through this course students learn about information systems and communication, practical applications of ICT and ICT systems management.
The course is designed to encourage students to develop their problem solving skills and examine their solutions not only from an academic, but also from an ethical and social point of view.
An ICT qualification at A level can lead to employment in the ever-growing Information and Communication Technology related industries, within management, or to further study at degree level.