In Years 7 and 8 students learn the full range of Microsoft Office software and do some basic web design, animation and create radio ads. They are also introduced to internet safety and how to be secure in using the web. In Year 9, students carry out project work and have the option to start GCSE coursework, if they are choosing ICT as an option for Key Stage (KS) 4.
At KS 4 (Years 10 and 11), students who have opted for ICT follow the OCR National course, which is worth either 1 or 4 GCSEs depending on whether they take single or double ICT. This is examined entirely by coursework, in a mix of portfolio and computer-based assessment. The course is made up of eight units covering web design, animation, sound, i-movies, multimedia, radio techniques and graphics for the web.
The OCR National course is practical and career-related, and provides a flexible way for students to develop their skills. The school’s Moderator (external examiner) has praised the high standard of the work out students produce and the department achieved 98% A*-C grades at GCSE in 2009.
Resources
All the department’s resources are available on Moodle, a virtual learning environment used across the school. It includes blogs, wikis, demonstrations, forums, celebrations of student achievements and events, links to free software and to interesting websites. Moodle enables students to access these learning resources at home and to upload their homework assignments from home. Moodle is introduced in Year 7 and all students have access to it.
The school has two classrooms of MACs, one newly-upgraded, and one of new PCs. The large MAC room, “the Barn”, is due to be upgraded in 2009-10. As well as the usual range of software, students also learn to use i-Movies, Garageband, Flash, Dreamweaver and Fireworks.
Clubs and out-of-school activities
At KS 3, a web design club and a computer club for girls are offered after school. For students at KS 4, coursework clubs are available every evening to support their studies.
Head of Department: Miss Sarah Wolfsohn
