Rationale
The Faculty aims to provide the youngsters with a wide ranging and balanced ICT experience focused on the ICT National Curriculum. This entitlement supports the students in gaining ICT knowledge, skills and understanding required for examination success and life after school.
These statements describe how ICT is used in our school:
- ICT is a valued environment in our school; it assists students in developing a positive self-image and promotes the public image of the whole school.
- ICT has the flexibility to meet the individual needs and abilities of each student.
- ICT should seek to promote skills in decision making and the establishment of control.
- ICT should empower its users.
- ICT gives students immediate access to richer source materials.
- ICT can present information in new ways which help students to understand, assimilate and use it more readily.
- ICT can motivate and enthuse pupils - IT should be fun.
- ICT should help children to focus and concentrate.
Accommodation & resources
Our school is superbly equipped with more than 450 workstations on a local network within the school. Currently we have 400 fixed workstations (computers), 20 netbooks, 50 laptops housed on trolleys with wireless connection, video conferencing facilities, digital cameras, music workstations and projection facilities. Our 8 main computer rooms have interactive white boards as do all classrooms throughout the school. All workstations have Broadband Internet access, and students are able to logon and gain access to their work in all areas of the school and use a wide variety of software.
Our 8 main Computer Rooms have 28-32 computers in each and these are used mainly for discrete ICT lessons. There are also clusters located within Maths, Graphics, Art, Music, Learning Support and the School Library. We have an ICT support team of four experienced individuals.
The remaining computers are available in classrooms across the school and all computers have either a laser or a colour printer available to them.
Every computer is capable of supporting a number of 'Integrated Learning Packages', such as 'Sam Learning', 'Kerboodle' and 'MyMaths'. These allow the learners to progress at their own pace and their own level.
Some of the other facilities available allow students and staff to:
- use office professional and Adobe CS5 Software.
- save work centrally on the file servers.
- print in colour, laser b/w and laser colour.
- use scanners in many areas.
- produce pictures using the digital cameras.
- create videos using flip cameras
- have fast internet access at every workstation.
- use careers and revision software.
- develop on-line curriculum materials and use curriculum support materials.
- use video motion analysis using digital video.
- use interactive whiteboard technology in every department.
There is a rolling programme of laptops for teachers to support staff development and enhance teaching and learning. Other exciting initiatives include development of video conferencing, development of the school website and working with other consortium schools and Halesowen College to produce subject specific on-line resources.
How we teach ICT
In Year 7 ICT is delivered in one 50 minute discrete lesson. Pupils learn from the National ICT strategy and use word processing, presentation, spreadsheet, database and desktop publishing software. E-safety is also a key area of learning in Year 7.
In Year 8 ICT is taught cross-curricular to encourage pupils to apply and build upon skills learnt in Year 7.
In Year 9 students have one 50 minute discrete lesson where students begin to use more advanced features of software to enhance the quality of their work. Students complete self and peer assessment throughout the year as well as regular teacher assessments.
At Key Stage 4 students study the Level 2 OCR Nationals Award in ICT (equivalent to 2 GCSEs). Students learn how to create and edit video, animations, products for the web and skills for use in business.
We offer OCR Level 3 National in ICT in our Sixth Form and it is a popular option. Subjects include animation, video, digital imaging and manipulation, business communication systems, web design and collaborative working.
Extra-curricular
Students often enjoy getting involved with ICT outside of lessons too and we run many sessions including:
- ICT booster sessions – ICT staff are available throughout the week to support key stage 4 students to reach their maximum potential
- Homework club – students can come along and receive support in ICT and other subjects.
- Gaming/technology club – Year 13 students run this club. Youngsters can come along and try out the very latest gadgets and gaming consoles.