School Zone

ICT Curriculum Area

The ICT Curriculum Area is a key expanding element within the school. It is fully committed to and involved in the development of all aspects of ICT within the school, as a subject in its own right and as a cross-curricular resource.

The school has excellent ICT facilities with over 1200 computers linked as part of a site wide cabled and wireless network. It has seven main ICT suites and suites in all curriculum areas. The school has three full time ICT technicians, a Network Manager, Web Manager and an E-learning Manager.

As a Science College, Training School and Leading Edge School and with specialisms in Humanities and Special Needs the School has an exceptional level of equipment including interactive whiteboards, projectors, wireless and hard wire technology and full Broadband access. The School benefits from the services and expertise of an AST in Science with a specific ICT remit. The school’s ICT facilities are open outside normal teaching hours and students make excellent use of these facilities. As a Science College the School is also actively involved in investigating courses for the Community including CISCO and iPRO developments.There are currently seven full-time teachers of ICT and this appointment reflects the increasing role of ICT and the School as a discrete subject and in cross-curriculum terms.

The Area offers a variety of courses throughout the school. All students in Years 10 and 11 follow the OCR Double Award GCSE ICT, DIDA or the National Award. In the Sixth Form we offer Edexcel GNVQ Intermediate ICT and AQA AS and A level ICT and Computer Studies. The results in these courses are excellent. With rapidly expanding numbers, we are also investigating the opportunity for expansion to AVCE ICT.

ICT is used extensively throughout the curriculum and for administration purposes. Every teacher is provided with a laptop computer and these machines are used for administrative and teaching purposes.

The School is also part of the Dorchester Area Schools Partnership, a Networked Learning Community and has the development of ICT as one of its Key Strategies. It is actively involved in VLE developments and regularly gives presentations linked to its work with the South West Grid for Learning (SWGfL). The area also active links with BECTA and the school is participating in the Digital Video initiative and works closely with NESTA on a Films for Learning Initiative.

Levels of equipment and overall software resourcing in this School are excellent.