KS3 students have one hour of ICT each week. Students study a wide range of topics that will help them increase their ICT skills. As a department we feel that it is very important to link ICT with real life scenarios, this allows students to apply the skills they have learnt in school to real life situations outside of school.

KS4 Students have the choice of two options, Edexcel BTEC Information Technology Level 2 and GCSE ICT.

BTEC ICT
With a proven track record of improving motivation and achievement BTEC ICT will allow students to take responsibility for their own learning and develop skills essential for the modern workplace. It inspires students to become technology savvy, producers of technologies and systems and not just consumers.
This course is taught over 120 guided learning hours.
It has two core units(25% externally assessed with an online test) and optional specialist units(75% coursework) such as creating digital animation, Mobile apps Development, Website development etc.
The units of work can vary and are aimed at allowing students to build up their subject knowledge. Students have five hours of BTEC ICT over a two week period and will receive the equivalent to one GCSE once completed. We also run BTEC coursework catch up sessions on a Tuesday afternoon and are always on hand to help students who need extra support.

Students have five hours of BTEC ICT over a two week period. We also run BTEC coursework catch up sessions on a Tuesday afternoon and are always on hand to help students who need extra support.

GCSE ICT

The course covers the latest in digital technology and is up to date and relevant in today’s digital world. The course structure is different to previous courses we have offered in ICT, in that students will complete 60% worth of controlled assessments & a 40% exam towards the end of the course.

Students will study two units which will build on what they have studies at Key Stage 3. These units may include
• Unit 1 - Living in a Digital World - You will learn about current and emerging technologies and how they impact our lives. This is the theory module and will be externally assessed with a 40% exam.
• Unit 2 - Using Digital Tools - This is the controlled assessment section for Unit , this is where you will put into practice everything learnt in Unit 1. This is worth 60% of your final grade.
Single Award (1 GCSE) - In the single award students will complete Unit 1 & 2
Depending on how well students work, they may have the opportunity to complete the double award, which will require them to complete an additional two units of work and allow them to obtain 2 GCSE’s.

As a department we try and encourage students to use technology as much as possible. We currently run a joint Technology & ICT Robotics club. Students build an advanced control system (Robot) and are then able to control the behaviour of the robot by using programming. Students can start with simple programming and building skills and can then progress to creative designs and engineering solutions.