ICT

Ethos & Values

• To enhance children's quality of learning through the effective delivery of the ICT/Computer Science curriculum.


• To raise attainment by creating a target-orientated highly driven culture based on the enhancement of ICT skills and creative use of them in coursework.


• To have consistently high expectations and match these with high quality resources and learning strategies.


• To provide a range of educational experiences appropriate to the age, ability and needs of our students utilising all the ICT resources to hand.


• To challenge our highest ability students with a Computer Science course that fulfils the needs and requirements of recent National changes and industry guidelines.


• To manage and create resources to ensure maximum benefit ensuring all resources are of outstanding quality and are accessible as easily as possible.


• To adopt a philosophy of continuous improvement in all aspects of the delivery of all subjects within the Faculty.


• To be promoters of lifelong learning by continually training and developing new skills using the latest technology.


• To challenge our students with a Computer Science course that fulfils the needs and requirements of recent National changes and industry guidelines.

Knowledge & Skills

ICT focuses on using specialist software to prepare students for most, if not all, future careers.

General skills may include:

• Awareness of Target Audience and Purpose
• Digital Literacy
• Research skills
• E Safety awareness

As you progress further into the course, your skills will develop to cover:

• Graphic creation and editing
• Creating animations
• Creating and editing videos

Resources & Facilities

In ICT we have a number of dedicated specialists, who are passionate about ICT and delivering the course to the best of their ability.

We use a range of software packages in ICT including:

Microsoft Office: We teach students how to use some of the latest Microsoft office package effectively including word processing skills, data management through Excel and Access while developing students presenting skills using PowerPoint.

Serif: Serif also includes a range of software which students are taught how to use. Students will use Serif MoviePlus to learn how to create professional looking videos while also use DrawPlus to create graphics and animations. Students will also learn about web design, creating websites using Serif WebPlus.

Adobe: Students will learn how to use Adobe Photoshop to combine multiple graphics together. They will use a range of tools to create different graphics on the computer which meet a suitable Target Audience and Purposes.

Courses & Qualifications

Key Stage 4

In Key Stage 4, we offer a range of courses which include:

iMedia

One of the courses we offer is the Cambridge National Creative iMedia course by OCR. This vocationally-related qualification takes an engaging, practical and inspiring approach to learning and assessment. It will equip students with a range of skills and provide opportunities to develop, in context, transferable skills such as research, planning, and review, working with others and communicating creative concepts effectively.

Students will complete a total of 4 units over the course which are each worth 25% of their final grade. These units include:

Creating Digital Graphics – In this unit students will learn about the purpose and properties of digital graphics and use specialist software to create their own DVD Cover.

Storytelling With a Comic Strip – In this unit students will understand the basics of comic strip creation. They will have to interpret a client brief and use planning and preparation techniques to create their own comic strip.

Creating a Multipage Website – In this unit students will be able to demonstrate their creativity by combining components to create a functional, intuitive and aesthetically pleasing website.

Preproduction Skills – This unit is a theory based unit in which pupils will learnt about areas such as target audience, mood boards, design elements and scripting. This unit is accessed through a written exam.

CiDA NG

Another course currently on offer is the Edexcel Digital Applications CiDA qualification. This vocational qualification, is aimed at creative learners with a passion for digital applications. Tailor-made to meet the needs of today's creative industries, it covers creative multimedia, artwork and imaging and developing web products.

Students will sit an exam which is 25% of their qualification in which they will have to design and create a website to meet a particular brief.

The other 75% of the qualification is made up of coursework, which pupils will use their design skills to create a range of products using the specialist software available.

Ingots

This qualification coverages a range of Digital Literacy, ICT and Computing with a choice of contexts and emphasis to suit local interests and needs. The topics are yet to be chosen however you can have a look at the topics on offer at the link below:

theingots.org

Learning Outside The Classroom

Coursework Catch-Up:

There are numerous sessions during the year where students are invited to attend coursework catch-up sessions after school and at weekends and during half term where they can come in and do their work in a relaxed atmosphere with more one to one help from staff.

Where Does This Take Me In The Future?

In today's world, ICT is used everywhere; every day. Choosing to major in ICT would certainly put you above those without when applying for future careers. Some of the possible careers ICT could lead you into include:

• Website Designer
• Games Designer
• Teacher
• Systems Analyst
• Administration and ICT Support

E-Safety

Download the E-Safety document below for more information.