ICT

Our Aims

The digital revolution has radically changed how knowledge is created, stored, accessed and communicated. Never before has the pace of change been so rapid and so pervasive. To live, learn and work successfully in an increasingly complex, information-rich and knowledge-based society, pupils must utilise communication technology effectively. Within the ICT faculty we seek to enable pupils to become:

• Capable information technology users
• Information seekers, analysers and evaluators
• Problem solvers and decision makers
• Creative and effective users of productivity tools
• Communicators, collaborators, publishers, and producers
• Informed, responsible and contributing citizens

Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3 all pupils have one timetabled lesson a week centred on developing their confidence to use a wide range of software programs. Problems are studied that reflect the application of understanding and capability to solve a range of practical problems. Our key objective is to enable all pupils to achieve functional literacy in ICT by the end of this key stage. All pupils take an externally examined qualification called Functional Skills in ICT at Level 2 which ensures that they have a good range of ICT skills and that they are able to utilise these capabilities throughout their future GCSE courses.  

GCSE

At Key Stage 4 pupils can decide to specialise in ICT and take a GCSE in the subject. Pupils explore a wide range of additional applications and creative tools for producing animation, web pages, videos, basic games using programming techniques, image manipulation and multimedia presentations.  

AS and A Level

At Key Stage 5 pupils can choose to specialise further by taking an A level in the subject which can open up progression to university courses for a wide range of future career opportunities.   

Facilities

The school has three purpose-built ICT rooms equipped with high specification computers and a wide range of software. All computers are networked and give access to the Internet.  

Extra-curricular

A range of activities are offered at lunchtimes including stop frame animation, 3D animation, touch typing, introduction to computer programming and 3D graphics. The use of computers to develop creative talents is encouraged.  

Staffing

• Mr R Tuck, BA, ACA, PGCE Sheffield Hallam (Head of Department)
• Mr S Doncaster BA, PGCE  Leicester
• Mr A Birtchnell BSc University of West England, PGCE