ICT at Clare Mount

Intent

Our aim in ICT is to give the students the skills to be digitally able in the modern world. We look to inspire our students and provide students with a solid foundation in Key Stage 3 which they can build on in their Key Stage 4 studies

ICT students are encouraged to be confident and learn software through doing and learning how to work problems out within software independently and through their own abilities. Students are encouraged to work at their own pace and never feel that they are not keeping up, nor do they not feel challenged. Through our work across the curriculum we can provide the digital and technological skills needed to succeed in a variety of subjects and working worlds

Implementation

In Key Stage 3 we teach the skills which prepare the students for their qualifications in Key Stage 4 ICT. The students will make Presentations and turn these into Websites, Spreadsheets, Movie posters and Adverts, Games using Coding, Animations and Room Design. This gives a good basis working with the Microsoft and Adobe suites of programs in order to improve these skills in line with the Digital Functional Skills qualification that students can undertake at Key Stage 4. We incorporate some Media based tasks as this will allow the students to work on certain Media projects to ensure that they have the knowledge to opt for the Media Studies GCSE option should they wish to.

All of the skills will prepare our students for their Key Stage 4 studies. All students in Year 10 and 11 who choose to study Additional ICT option will study to achieve the BTEC Digital Information Technology qualification with Pearson Edexcel. We feel that this is the best qualification for our learners as it allows our more able learners to flourish, whilst providing a meaningful and attainable qualification for others.

We have also introduced an Entry Level qualification in ICT for those who are studying Core ICT to allow them to achieve a formal qualification in the subject, whilst learning transferable skills for Prep for Adulthood. This is Digital Functional Skills which is at Entry Level 3

Throughout the year we work on standalone projects in relation to cross curricular studies including Maths, English and Science and also study E-safety during Safer Internet week and throughout the school year.

Staff across the department encourage the use and understanding of ICT and look to develop their skills further through CPD and also through our work with Hi-Impact which allows us to work on coding and design projects which further interest the students and provide cross-curricular opportunities within Clare Mount.

Impact

Students develop their skills in ICT and can use these in their everyday life, which is at the core of our Preparation for Adulthood ideal and aligns with our C.H.I.L.D. vision within the school. They can develop other skills around teamwork and planning through the topics that they study. Option groups have the chance to “deep-dive” into some of the core software and planning principles which will shape their future, both academically and in the employment world.

Many go on to courses at college where they can diversify into digital studies and gaming, or even digital media. There are a lot of core skills gained in ICT which help our students succeed in a wide range of career pathways. We look to give our students relevant skills which they will be able to use both in their school life here and beyond.

Please find attached a link to various ICT topics through Teach-ICT games. The students think they are playing but it is a fun way to learn the many aspects of ICT and Computing

https://www.teach-ict.com/gcse_new/gcse_ict_quizzes.htm

https://www.teach-ict.com/gcse_computing/gcse_computing_quizzes.htm