Information Technology (ICT) Department

Rationale

The department aims to provide the youngsters with a wide ranging and balanced ICT experience focused on the ICT National Curriculum. This entitlement supports the pupils in gaining ICT knowledge, skills and understanding required for examinations 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 blessed with more than 450 workstations on a local network, provided and maintained by the local authority under the Dudley Grid for Learning scheme. At the moment we have 400 fixed workstations (computers), 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 pupils 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 two full time ICT Technicians.

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 'SuccessMaker' and 'MyMaths'. These allow the learners to progress at their own pace and their own level.

Some of the other facilities available allow pupils and staff to:

• use office professional 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.
• 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.

Our Faculty of ICT & Business Studies consists of the director of faculty plus 3 full time ICT teachers and 2 business studies teachers.

How we teach ICT

In year 7, 8 & 9, ICT is a discrete subject of 50 minutes per week, delivering modules designed to follow the National Curriculum and allow assessment of pupils' levels.

At Key Stage 4 we will be delivering the level 2 OCR Nationals Award in ICT as an option and all other pupils will be studying a new course called 'Functional Skills'.

From September 2009 we will be offering a Diploma in ICT as option in addition to the OCR ICT qualification.