Year 7

Pupils are taught in their tutor groups for one period per week.

Topics covered are:

• Basic ICT skills
• The use of the Internet and how to search for information effectively
• Presentation software
• Desktop Publishing and the production of newspapers
• Spreadsheet software and the use of numeric modelling

The aims of the year are to:

• Consolidate prior ICT learning
• Teach new skills and software-specific knowledge
• Encourage pupils to apply ICT skills in their wider learning

Homework

Homework is set on a regular basis to support the learning in the classroom of the skills and knowledge covered. Homework rarely requires the use of a computer, but pupils have access to ICT rooms at lunchtimes, if they would like to complete their homework on a computer.

Homework may consist of:

• Consolidation tasks such as learning of key words
• Research
• Planning
• Revision

Year 9

Aims

The Year 9 course will build on the teaching received by pupils in Year 7, and the experiences of using ICT in departments during Year 8. Taught by ICT specialists, it will use some parts of the P.E. core curriculum as its subject matter. Thus the work will involve aspects of health and fitness as well as:

• Consolidate prior ICT learning
• Teach new skills and software-specific knowledge
• Encourage pupils to apply ICT skills in their wider learning

Topics Studied

• Use of the Internet
• Use of E-mail
• Spreadsheets, including making charts and graphs
• Web authoring
• Collecting data effectively by questionnaire or data-logger
• Database construction and manipulation
• Use of graphic software, including some moving images

Teaching Group Organisation

Pupils are taught in their tutor groups for one period per week.

Homework

Homework is set on a regular basis to support the learning in the classroom of the skills and knowledge covered. Homework rarely requires the use of a computer, but pupils have access to ICT rooms at lunchtimes, if they would like to complete their homework on a computer.

Homework may consist of:

• Consolidation tasks such as learning key words
• Research
• Planning
• Revision

GNVQ ICT

This course is selected as either one or two option choices. Those who select it as two will receive 6 periods per week. Those who select it as a single option will receive 3 periods per week, plus a one-hour class after school, for which a fee is payable.

Topics Studied

The course leads to a GNVQ, equivalent to 4 GCSEs grade C or above. Pupils will study various aspects of ICT including:

• Presenting Information
• Handling Information
• Hardware and Software
• Information Resources
• Graphical software
• Presentation software

Assessment

Pupils will sit two exams, one on Unit One material (Presenting Information) and one on Unit Five material (Information Resources). For assessment of the other four units, pupils will be required to put together a portfolio of work, which will be internally marked, then externally moderated. The portfolio is worth 2/3 and the exam is worth 1/3 of the overall final mark. Pupils can attain a Pass, a Merit or a Distinction.

Homework

Homework will be set regularly. It may consist of:

• Work towards the portfolio of evidence
• Practice of skills learned
• Research into particular aspects of the topics
• Preparation of pre-released exam materials

Applied GCSE ICT

This course is one of the new vocational GCSEs, with a greater emphasis on developing skills than the old GCSE courses. It is a double award GCSE, giving pupils two grades from A* to G. Pupils will receive 3 periods per week.

Topics Studied

Pupils will study 3 units:

• ICT in Society
• ICT in Organisations
• ICT Tools and Applications

Assessment

Two of the units are assessed by means of coursework – pupils will produce a portfolio of work which will be internally marked, then externally moderated. The third unit (ICT and Society) will be assessed by pupils completing set tasks within controlled lessons, which will then be marked by an Examiner. There is no written examination.

Homework

Homework will be set regularly. It may consist of:

• Work towards the portfolio of evidence
• Practice of skills learned
• Research into particular aspects of the topics