“The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.”

What is ICT?

ICT is Information Communication Technology. It is the study of the computers, software and technologies which we increasingly rely upon to handle information and aid communication.

What do students study in ICT?

At Key Stage 3 students study:

• databases and data handling
• spreadsheets and modeling numbers
• the Internet
• web design
• e-safety

At Key Stage 4 students can choose:

• either the single award GCSE (Edexcel)
• or the vocational courses AiDA or  DiDA (Award or Diploma in Digital Application).

GCSE ICT is designed to provide a more academic focus in ICT, with fewer vocational links and a more traditional qualification structure. Nationally it is seen as a more difficult qualification with a greater weighting towards the final written exam paper.

DiDA is a more vocational ICT course. It gives students skills that help them get a job in ICT. On top of the 4 GCSEs equivalent students can also gain 3 commercial Adobe qualifications in Flash animation, Dreamweaver web design and Fireworks graphic design. Students manage their own web site to store and present all their coursework in an e-portfolio.  The AiDA qualification covers the first of the four units of the DiDA.

How many lessons of ICT do students get?

In Key Stage 3, students have two hours a fortnight of ICT.

At Key Stage 4 all students have two hours a fortnight. Options in ICT increase the number of ICT lessons attended. The GCSE and AiDA course has five hours a fortnight. The DIDA course is ten hours a fortnight.

What is the teaching like in ICT?

Through ICT, students receive a well-rounded learning experience, encompassing vocational skills as well as theory. Students develop the capacity and abilities to make the most of new technologies to communicate and handle information.
Students gain a thorough understanding of the broader concepts as well as practical skills which will allow them to input, store, analyse, process and output information and data.

We make extensive use of online assessment and moodle, a Virtual Learning Platform at all Key Stages. Each student has their own e-mail accounts, blog space, and documents area.

Students are taught in mixed attainment groups in all years.

Are there extra-curricular activities?

We widely use moodle, the Virtual Learning Platform. This enables students, parents and our teachers to use online resources, assignments and grading. We have also developed an online resource for managing Key Stage 3 assessments.

We run a lunchtime ICT club. After school students have the opportunity of enrolling on to the Oracle Database training programme. These sessions combine trained tuition with online resources and testing.

How well resourced is the Faculty?

We have a number of well-equipped ICT suites. Software is constantly upgraded and extended so that it covers a full range of application needs across all subject areas.

How do I contact the ICT Faculty?

Please contact Mr Basu, Head of ICT, at the school.
Contact details are here.