ICT & Business
We teach students the key ICT skills that they will use throughout their lives. Students use ICT in every aspect of their lives, from school work, to entertainment (e.g. games consoles, the internet), to mobile technology (e.g. mobile phones).
We aim to make ICT fun by using new and exciting technology (e.g. digital cameras) and multimedia (e.g. movies, music, graphics) to teach students the skills they will need. All teaching is in dedicated ICT rooms each equipped with high specification computers, laser printers and interactive whiteboards.
Key Stage 3
Students will learn a wide range of skills, from word processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation skills to how to effectively use digital equipment such as the video cameras. Over the course of Key Stage 3 students will build on basic skills in various applications to become proficient in ICT, able to evaluate and assess their work, identify areas of improvement and start on the road to becoming effective independent learners. Students will build upon their knowledge from primary school and begin to explore software in a more detailed manner using the Internet in a more responsible and useful way. Students learn how to keep safe on the Internet and in chat rooms and know the risks involved. Students will film their own movie trailer using video cameras and edit it using Moviemaker software adding a soundtrack, titles and credits. Students will also develop their knowledge and understanding of modeling and data handling. Naturally students will advance ICT understanding by using broad range of software including Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher.
Key Stage 4
It is important that every student leaves our college with an ICT qualification.
In Year 10 students will follow one of three courses available which will continue throughout Year 11.
Key Skills
A Key skill, at Level 1 and / or Level 2, in ICT is available to those students who have 1 or 2 hours of ICT lessons each fortnight, students will complete a portfolio of work and sit a computerised test.
OCR Nationals
This qualification is a continuation from Year 9 and will enable students to gain a thorough understanding of ICT and its use to provide solutions. There is no examination to pass this course as 100% of the assessment is through coursework and completing units of work.
AQA GCSE ICT
This course is for those students that have chosen ICT as an option. There are two pieces of coursework; One in Year 10, a board set assignment worth 30% and one in Year 11, a project worth 30%. An exam at the end of Year 11 worth 40% completes this course. Students are taught the processes a solution will go through from analysis and design to testing and evaluation.
Business Studies
At Key Stage 4 Business Studies students will cover all aspects of business within an administrative setting if they follow the GOAL qualification. All students will complete a young apprentice course in business administration - this involves participating in 50 hours work experience over two years. Students who follow the Edexcel Applied Business Studies course will be required to complete two portfolios of work i.e. business reports detailing two local medium sized businesses this will include research of the businesses using internet resources and an external written finance exam.