ICT

Welcome to the Information Communication Technology Curriculum Area

The ICT department

Our key aim is to develop creative, confident, and productive users of ICT. It is not just the mastery of technical skills and techniques, but also the understanding to apply these skills purposefully, safely and responsibly in learning, everyday life and future employment. Our curriculum constantly evolves so that it remains relevant and up-to-date.

Learning is supported by excellent hardware and software facilities in classrooms. And wherever appropriate, learning is based around industry standard software, including the Microsoft Office Suite and the Adobe Creative Suite.

With excellent results we are rightly proud of our ICT department and the achievements of our students.

Structure of the curriculum (for September 2010 onwards)

Key Stage 3 – Years 7 to 9:
• A focus on developing sound and wide ranging ICT capability
• All learning modules are themed around topics that are relevant and engaging

Key Stage 4 - Years 10 and 11:
• ICT is a compulsory core subject at Key Stage 4. All students will have opportunity to study a course equivalent to GCSE. For September 2010 to August 2011 this will be Edexcel’s vocational Award in Digital Applications (AIDA).

Optional choices for Key Stage 4:
In addition to the compulsory core, students have opportunity to choose extra ICT options:

• Computing GCSE. For those students who want to go into detail with their understanding of computer technology and also learn programming with C# (“c sharp”).

• Design and Innovation. This exciting and innovative course is unique to Ratton. It is a cross-curricular course in conjunction with our (D/T) Graphics department. Students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be effective in a wide range of design disciplines; print, web, multimedia authoring and 3D. Another distinctive element of this course is that students will work on real briefs for local businesses, traders and organisation. This provides students with an opportunity to enrich their learning experience and apply their skills ‘for real’. Students taking Design and Innovation boost their ICT qualification to a double award.