|Information Communication Technology (ICT)
The school has over 300 machines on the network. We have two large learning resource areas, one for main school and one for sixth form. These areas each have 40 computers and resources such as textbooks, digital cameras, laptops, photocopiers and scanners. They are well used by all subjects on a bookable basis but the areas can also be used on an adhoc basis during lesson time. They are also open before school, break and lunchtimes. All students have their own area on the network, which they can access, from anywhere in school. Each student has their own E-mail account and access to the Internet. We have two further ICT teaching rooms which are used to deliver ICT as a subject.
The department aims to provide all students with the basic ICT skills to facilitate learning across the whole school curriculum.
Key Stage 3
All pupils in key stage 3 have 1 hour of ICT tuition per week.
In Years 7-8 students follow the key stage 3 strategy.
Year 9 students complete 2 further units from the key stage 3 strategy during their first term. From January onwards they start their GCSE coursework.
Key Stage 4
All pupils in key stage 4 have 1 hour of ICT tuition per week, during which they follow the Edexcel short course GCSE in ICT. This course consists of 2 pieces of coursework worth 60% of the qualification and 1 examination worth 40% of the qualification.
Coursework aims to follow the solution of a real-life ICT problem using standard ICT tools such as presentation or database software.
Key Stage 5
A Level ICT
Students can choose to study for a full A level in ICT or an AS course over 2 years.
If studying the AS over 2 years they will follow the Edexcel Applied ICT GCE course which allows them to explore the ways in which ICT is currently applied. Students complete 3 units of work, 2 are coursework based and require the production of e-portfolios on The Information Age and The Digital Economy. These account for 66% of the qualification. The remaining 34% of the qualification is examined via a computer based examination which requires the student to demonstrate that he/she can work knowledgably using spreadsheet software to solve a business problem.
If studying for full A level in ICT it is important to note that the syllabus is changing as from September 2008. We have chosen to follow the OCR examination board’s ICT course. This has 4 units of work as follows:
1. AS - Unit 1 - Information, Systems and Applications
- Introductory unit to provide you with the knowledge and understanding to enable you to complete the rest of the AS and A2 course. This builds on some of the basic concepts covered in the theory and practical elements of GCSE ICT.
- This unit is examined and externally marked by OCR.
- Value = 30% of A2, 60% of AS
2. AS - Unit 2 - Structured ICT Task
- This unit is more practical and covers design, software development, testing and documentation to complete a task set by the exam board.
- This unit is coursework and is internally marked by staff.
- Value = 20% of A2, 40% of AS
3. A2 - Unit 3 – ICT Systems, Applications and Implications
- This unit is about the wide range of communication methodology that is currently available and comes within the scope of ICT. It covers communication between computers, and between humans and computers. Students extend the fundamentals from AS level.
- This unit is examined and externally marked by OCR.
- Value = 30% of A2
4. A2 – Unit 4 – ICT project
- Student have to develop their knowledge and understanding of ICT in a “real” environment via a project, which is a substantial piece of work requiring analysis and design, organised, evaluated and presented in a report.
- This unit is coursework and is internally marked by staff.
- Value = 20% of A2
Last updated: November 2007
