ICT

The course is based on practical work and problem solving and sees students developing real life ICT systems.

Information technology skills have become an essential part of a students education. All pupils in the school begin ICT in their first year. The school recently made a major investment in ICT provision which involved:
Replacing the old network with a business standard, thin client network
Refitting the second ICT room with 26 workstations and an interactive whiteboard
Providing each classroom with a workstation, data projector and wireless graphics tablet
Installing wireless access points to cover the whole school
Placing 6 workstations in the recently renovated Learning Resource Centre.

The School has networked broadband internet access with each pupil having their own school email address.

As a consequence of installing a thin client network, each student can now login to their own desktop from home and work as if they were in school using all the school applications.

Years 7, 8 and 9 
To develop an understanding and appreciation of ICT and its uses, and to develop confidence and practical skills in using a range of software packages.

Pupils at the end of the Year 9 course should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the nature of databases, graphics, webpage design, and be able to critically assess the validity and reliability of information.
 
Years 10 and 11 - GCSE
Pupils can choose ICT as one of their options at Year 10 and are entered for the AQA ICT Specification A. Pupils have two double lessons of 75 minutes.

Scheme of Assessment
The scheme of assessment consists of two tiers: Foundation Tier and Higher Tier. Foundation Tier assesses grades G to C and Higher Tier assesses grades D to A.
Each tier consists of two papers and coursework.

Coursework
Pupils must produce two pieces of coursework. The first is set by the exam board and the second is a project. For the project, pupils are required to submit coursework that addresses a problem and produce a solution by analysing, designing, implementing and documenting an IT system for use by others.

The coursework component of the course is 60 per cent with 40 per cent coming from a final written exam.

6th Form

The AS-level specification in ICT is designed to develop:
Problem solving skills through the practical application of ICT
The ability to analyse, appraise and make critical judgements about the use of ICT systems
Interpersonal skills necessary for communicating with others
An understanding of the nature of information, its structure, application and implications of its uses
A broad and balanced view of the range of applications and IT systems, and an understanding of their capabilities and limitations, and the implications for their uses
An awareness of the economic, social and ethical implications of the use of IT systems.

The specification uses a task driven approach to problem solving and decision making that relies on the effective use of ICT systems, it enhances the students conception of the effects and limitations of ICT and understanding of the new opportunities it provides within organisations and society.

The course is assessed on a modular basis with two theoretical modules and a single practical module.

Module 1  Information: Nature, Role and Context
Module 2  Information: Management and Manipulation
Module 3 & 6  Coursework: The Use of Generic Application Software for Task Solution
Module 4 - Information Systems in Organisations
Module 5 - Information: Policy and Strategy

Candidates will be required to undertake a project that will have a limited scope and will be a self-contained problem. The solution is very likely to be based on the facilities of one piece of generic software.