Staffing

ICT Subject Leader: Miss T Foster    MSc PGCE PGDip BSocSc
ICT Teacher: Miss V Brown  BSc (Hons) PGCE

Senior Network Manager: Mr C Marsland 
Network Technician: Mr A Francis

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What is ICT?

The increasing use of technology in all aspects of society makes confident, creative and productive use of ICT an essential skill for life. ICT capability encompasses not only the mastery of technical skills and techniques, but also the understanding to apply these skills purposefully, safely and responsibly in learning, everyday life and employment. ICT capability is fundamental to participation and engagement in modern society.

Why Study ICT?

ICT can be used to find, develop, analyse and present information, as well as to model situations and solve problems. ICT enables rapid access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of people, communities and cultures, and allows pupils to collaborate and exchange information on a wide scale. ICT acts as a powerful force for change in society and citizens should have an understanding of the social, ethical, legal and economic implications of its use, including how to use ICT safely and responsibly. Increased capability in the use of ICT supports initiative and independent learning, as pupils are able to make informed judgements about when and where to use ICT to enhance their learning and the quality of their work.

ICT Resources

ICT is an integral part of the teaching and learning process. We have an extensive and up to date PC network with workstations in two large teaching rooms. The network extends to form-rooms, laboratories, a sixth form area and the library. The Academy is continually increasing the number of terminals.  Our teaching rooms are equipped with interactive white boards.

All students can use these resources whenever they are free. The network workstations are available from 8-35 am to 4-15 pm during term time and by arrangement during the holidays.

We have Internet access available from the network terminals using the GDST proxy server. All Internet content is filtered by Websense to prevent access to inappropriate material. All students have their own email account that they can use through Outlook Web Access.

Use of ICT in all subject areas is encouraged and excellent work is produced.

The ICT Curriculum

Key Stage 3

Key Stage 3 ICT is taught as a subject in Years 7 to 9. During these three years we teach the skills associated with successful use of word processing, DTP, database, graphics and spreadsheet packages. Students also complete work on data-logging and control. Our aim is for students to develop understanding of what packages can do and how to get the required output. We want our students to be able to make reasoned decisions about the use of ICT in a range of situations, and to use computer systems with confidence.

Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4 girls who choose ICT take ‘AQA GCSE in Information and Communication Technology.’ This provides coverage of IT theory and a chance to develop practical skills further. The course breakdown is 60% Controlled assessment and 40% examination.
We also run the ‘OCR Level 2 National First Award in ICT’ as the compulsory element (1 GCSE vocational equivalent). The OCR Course is 100% Coursework based. This means that girls choosing ICT will gain a 2 GCSE equivalent.

Information and Communication Technology (GCSE)

Opting to take Full Course ICT will ensure you have the best possible foundation to progress towards A Level and a career in an ICT related industry. Additionally you will have the opportunity to gain the OCR Level 2 qualification which means you have the potential to gain the equivalent of 2 GCSEs.

The Information Technology GCSE course builds on the skills developed in the first three Academy years in creating, storing, amending and presenting information. It places emphasis on the use of these techniques to solve problems - both as a study of the ways in which Information Technology is used in the real world, and also in practical work in which you use Information Technology to solve real problems.

The Full course is assessed by means of:

• A written examination paper (40%) taken in Y11
• A controlled assessment in Y10, which uses skills in word processing, web page design, graphics, DTP and handling databases and spreadsheets (30%)
• A controlled assessment in Y11 that involves the use of a database and other packages (30%)

The scope of the controlled assessment in Year 11 gives students the freedom to choose areas of ICT that interest them most like animation, graphics, and multimedia building these into their project solutions. Students take on the role of a systems analyst in producing a report on their proposed solution to a given ICT related problem for a real end user. The aim is to solve these problems in the best possible way using ICT. Students will draw on their experiences of ICT in the working world and where possible visit ICT related workplaces to help in their studies.

OCR Level 2 National First Award in ICT

Students take one compulsory unit and an additional three units. All units are centre-assessed and externally moderated by OCR. There are no timetabled examinations for this qualification; each unit is graded as Pass, Merit or Distinction. The course aims to help develop student’s skills, knowledge and understanding of Information and Communication Technology in contexts that are directly relevant to employment situations, thereby enhancing their employability within the Information and Communication Technology sector and many other areas of work.

Students carry out a number of ICT based tasks relevant to the workplace and provide evidence based on how you have met the needs of your end user. In their documentation they analyse, design, create and test their solutions where relevant as well as evaluate what they have done.

Assessment of unit work will take place in a number of ways including observation, the outcomes of activities, and students own personal statements of their work. The main source of evidence will be the building up of a portfolio and students are responsible for the production and organisation of this on the Academy intranet.

Key Stage 5

We offer AS and A2 level ICT courses, following the AQA specification. The A level course is popular and many girls go on to study Computer Science and many other ICT related courses at university.

Our excellent results are a clear reflection on the success of our department. GCSE and A Level ICT students this year gained a 100% pass rate. At GCSE 69% of girls achieved an A*-C grade, and 50% of girls at A2 Level left school with a grade A.

A Level

AQA Syllabus: 2520

During this course students study a combined total of 2 Units as follows:

AS Level ICT 

Unit 1 - Practical Problem Solving in the Digital World

Unit 2 - Living in the Digital World 

At AS, the two units are complementary and are concerned with applying ICT to solve problems and the study of the opportunities for and affects of using ICT in the world today. Candidates will have the opportunity to put into practice a wide range of software and hardware to create solutions to solve problems.

Topics covered in the AS course include:

• Practical use of ICT, identifying, designing, producing, testing, documenting and evaluating solutions.
• Data entry, storage, output of information, use of software, current health and safety legislation.
• ICT systems, their components, uses, users, safety and security
• Data and information, data transfer, backup and recovery.

A2 Level ICT

ICT in the second year of the course involves the completion of 2 units of work; one is theory based and the other a coursework project.

Unit 3: The Use of ICT in the Digital World

• 2 hour examination
• 30% of total A Level marks

Two sections:

• Section A – structured questions based on pre-released material
• Section B – longer answer questions
• All questions are compulsory. Available January and June

Subject Content:

• Developments in technology, information needs of organisations, ICT systems, management of ICT
• Developing ICT systems, introducing large ICT systems into organisations
• Training and supporting users of ICT systems

Unit 4 - Coursework - Practical Issues Involved in the Use of ICT in the Digital World

• 20% of total A Level marks

A Substantial project involving the production of an ICT-related system over an extended period of time.

Subject Content:

• Practical issues involved in managing the use of ICT in organisations
• Investigating, analysing, defining requirements
• Selecting and using appropriate technologies, designing solutions, methods for testing and installation, documenting and evaluating