Information & Communications Technology

"Students enjoy using Information and Communication Technology. They are confident, well motivated and positive in their approach to computers" Ofsted

The School has a major ongoing investment in ICT. The 'Fey Centre' is a purpose built ICT Centre with four rooms dedicated to ICT, complete with thirty workstations in each. In all, there are over 300 computers available to students, including thirty workstations for student research in the new library. The ICT infrastructure of the school is managed according to a rolling program with all redundant hardware being replaced in a three-year cycle. All PCs use industry standard software together with current educational applications. These are also reviewed on an annual basis. Each student has their own e-mail address and all computers have access to the Internet providing a broadband filtered service. All students have access to the computers at lunch times, via a thriving computer club and after school. Staff are always on hand to help.

The ICT department is leading the way in developing the use of Web 2.0 technologies for education, and has a thriving advanced skills computer club for those who want to explore some of the more interesting and exciting uses of ICT. The current focus is on Macromedia Flash.

The School is firmly committed to delivering ICT across the curriculum through the use of ICT in all subject areas. Students in Year 7 - 9 are taught ICT by ICT specialists in an innovative cross-curricular program. This is grounded in both the ICT Key Stage 3 Strategy and relevant subject contexts. All students are assessed on their ICT capability and this is reported at the end of Key Stage 3.

In Key Stage 4 students develop their ICT capability by following a GCSE short course and our intention is for all students to achieve the equivalent of Key Skills Level 2 by its completion. Some students have the option of extending the short course into a full GCSE in ICT in Year 11. In addition to this provision at Key Stage 4, a number of students are offered the opportunity to study the OCR Nationals in ICT, the equivalent of 4 GCSEs at grade C or above.

At Key Stage 5, A/AS Level and Applied A/AS level are offered. A and AS Level ICT have a task-driven approach to problem solving and decision making which relies on the effective use of Information and Communication Technology systems. The course aims to extend the students' understanding of the effects and limitations of ICT and of the new opportunities it provides within organisations and society.

The Applied A level (AGCE) is an intensive two-year course. The assessment is almost entirely coursework, and as this is a double award, the students will get 2 A levels for their efforts. It is designed to provide a broad education as a foundation for both training leading to employment and for further and higher education. The AGCE in ICT enables students to develop analytical thinking and practical skills through investigating commercial and industrial information technology systems; the skills required to use a range of software applications; systems analysis; development of software; and the opportunity to develop skills in team and project working.

In addition, the school is a certified Microsoft Training Academy. Through this each year 12 student is given the opportunity to study for and pass an industry recognised qualification in Microsoft Word and Excel. This qualification is an ideal way to boost a CV or university application, and provides deep skills in these applications.