ICT

The main provisions for ICT consist of the ICT Suites in the Zochonis Centre and the Science Centre, and the suite of computers in the Learning Resource Centre. Other computer terminals are available in the Junior School and in the various departments throughout the School. All the terminals are linked to central fileservers by a school-wide network. All members of the School have their own network account and password that enables them to securely store their files centrally. For reasons of security pupils are not able to access the floppy disk drives but may transfer files from a memory stick after it has been checked for viruses. All terminals have access to the Internet via a fast broadband connection. This access is filtered and pupils and parents are required to sign an Acceptable Use Policy before access is granted to the system and the Internet.

The ICT facilities are available to pupils before School and during the lunch break. The Computer Club is open every lunch break and is used by pupils to work on homework projects or simply to practice their ICT skills and explore the network.

The hardware, software, and network are maintained by the Network Manager supported by an ICT Technician. There is an ongoing policy of extending the network and ICT facilities throughout the whole School so that ICT will play an important role in the delivery of all aspects of the curriculum.

The ICT Timetable - Year 7

All pupils are timetabled for 2 lessons per cycle. In these lessons the basic ICT skills are covered: word processing, Desktop Publishing, graphics, the proper use of the Internet, presentation software. Most lessons start off with ten minutes of touch-type practice to help engender good keyboard skills.

Year 8

There are two lessons per cycle in which are taught the use of databases, control technology and web site creation. Pupils are now required not only to be able to use the software to complete tasks, they are also required to be able to evaluate their work and explain what they have done in reports.

Year 9

There is one lesson per cycle and this is used to consolidate the skills previously learned and to improve report writing skills. This is a valuable preparation for the GCSE option that is available in Year 10.

Years 10 & 11

At the start of Year 10 pupils are able to opt to continue their study of ICT at GCSE level. The course followed is the ICT syllabus A option offered by the OCR examination board. In this course pupils learn :

• how to use software such as word processors, databases,spreadsheets etc.;
• about practical design of ICT systems;
• key skills in numeracy, communication and ICT;
• how to apply ICT to real life situations and solve problems;
• how to ICT to research, acquire, manipulate and present information.

This course consists of four modules. The first two modules are taught in Year 10 and the other two in Year 11. There are two levels of entry for the examination papers, Foundation and Higher.

Module 1

This is assessed by a short written examination. The questions are based on a basic knowledge and understanding of computer systems, communications technology and information.

Module 2 - Coursework

Pupils produce two minor course work projects. The first project is about presentng information and the second is chosen from handling data, modelling, measuring or control.

Module 3

The third module is assessed by a short written examination. The questions are based on ICT applications, stystems, networks amd computer technology.

Module 4 - Coursework

The final module is a major coursework project where the pupil is required to produce a fully documented ICT system to tackle a real problem of his/her own choice.