Academic Departments - Information & Communication Technology

Few subjects are as dynamic as ICT. This subject is flexible and innovative.

Lessons are divided into theoretical and practical sessions, although the theory lessons are taught in the ICT suites. The aim of the practical sessions is to introduce you to the advance features of applications and then to help you produce class work and coursework using them.

To help develop your ICT skills we have an impressive range of ICT resources. These include 2 computer suites, laser printers, scanning facilities, digital cameras, video cameras and interactive whiteboards.

Key Stage 1 and 2
Students are taught the National Curriculum developing skills and application across other subjects. Levels are assessed regularly to promote progression.

Key Stage 3
Year 7-9 CLAIT
Students are taught the OCR Level 1 Certificate for ICT Users which is a qualification designed to recognise the skills, knowledge and understanding of ICT users everywhere whether in employment, education or training.

Certification
Students which achieve the core unit (Unit 1) plus two other units will be awarded an OCR Level 1 Certificate for IT Users.
Students who achieve the core unit (Unit 1) plus four other units will be awarded an OCR level 1 Diploma for IT Users
Units achieved will be listed on certificates. Neither the full qualification nor the individual units are graded.

Structure
Units to be covered:
Unit 1 File Management and Document Production
Unit 2 Creating Spreadsheets and Graphs
Unit 4 Publication Creation
Unit 5 Creating a Presentation
Unit 6 Image Creation
Unit 7 Web Page Creation

Key Stage 4

The Specification
The GCSE specification is compiled by AQA. The two main topics you will cover include:

	Section A; Tools, Techniques and Systems
	Section B; Information Systems in Society

The specification is characterised by the principles of progression, integration and investigation. Students will progress through the course and, as more ideas and concepts are introduced, they are expected to continue using previously learned concepts in their analysis. The progressive nature of the course encourages the development of an integrated understanding and use of ICT. The general aims of the specification are to:

	Develop the competence of students through the use of ICT to solve significant problems using appropriate principles, techniques and equipment effectively and safely;
	Develop the capability of students through practical use of information technology for a variety of appropriate purposes in ways which produce effective responses to identified needs and opportunities in the whole curriculum;
	Develop the knowledge, concepts and skills which will enable students to develop a broad and balanced view on a range of information systems and their applications, an understanding of their capabilities and limitations and an ability to evaluate them critically;
	Develop the abilities of students, through the appropriate knowledge and concepts, to comment and reflect on the significant legal, political, social, environmental, economic and aesthetic applications, implications and effects of information technology;
	Encourage precise and accurate communication skills in a variety of media.

Enrichment Activities
Students have access to our well-equipped ICT suite at lunchtime and after school. Here they can work on school projects, use the internet or simply improve their skills by increasing their computer use.

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