ICT
- ICT
- Ethos & Values
- Knowledge & Skills
- Resources & Facilities
- Courses & Qualifications
- Learning Outside The Classroom
- Where Does This Take Me In The Future?
The influence that technology has upon our daily lives is becoming more evident every day, with the simplest of tasks having an IT solution to make the process more efficient. Studying ICT at Somercotes Academy helps students to develop key digital skills that will maximise and futureproof their employability opportunities in the future.
The ICT curriculum reinforces that ICT is not only computers and other digital devices, but takes a broader approach and focuses on the way in which digital information is communicated and secured. Data privacy and security is embedded throughout the ICT curriculum, as students are taught how to keep themselves and their information safe when using IT systems.
The teaching staff within the ICT curriculum enable students to deepen their learning through their vast knowledge and experience. The curriculum area endeavours to provide trips and events that allow students to get outside the classroom and experience ICT in the real world. The ICT curriculum also has strong links with further educational settings, providing the best possible chance for students to progress their education in the field of computing.
Please take your time to explore these pages to learn about what the school can offer you in relation to these essential subjects.
Ethos & Values
- To enhance children's quality of learning through the effective delivery of the ICT/iMedia curriculum.
- To raise attainment by creating a target-orientated highly driven culture based on the enhancement of ICT skills and creative use of them in coursework.
- To have consistently high expectations and match these with high quality resources and learning strategies.
- To provide a range of educational experiences appropriate to the age, ability and needs of our students utilising all the ICT resources to hand.
- To manage and create resources to ensure maximum benefit ensuring all resources are of outstanding quality and are accessible as easily as possible.
- To adopt a philosophy of continuous improvement in all aspects of the delivery of all subjects within the Faculty.
- To be promoters of lifelong learning by continually training and developing new skills using the latest technology.
Knowledge & Skills
ICT focuses on using specialist software to prepare students for most, if not all, future careers. Whist studying ICT, students learn to use a wide range of application and learn how to create various products ranging from websites, complex digital designs and programs written in Python.
General skills may include:
- Awareness of Target Audience and Purpose
- Digital Skills
- Digital Literacy
- Research skills
- E-Safety awareness
As you progress further into the course, your skills will develop to cover:
- Graphic creation and editing
- Creating websites
- Creating games
- Creating programs using Python
Resources & Facilities
In ICT we have dedicated specialists, who are passionate about ICT and delivering the course to the best of their ability. The ICT rooms are fully equipped for multimedia design and general ICT work. All rooms have fully interactive projectors.
We use a range of software packages in ICT including:
Microsoft Office: We teach students how to use some of the latest Microsoft office package effectively including word processing skills, data management through Excel while developing students presenting skills using PowerPoint.
RocketCake: RocketCake is a new piece of software that allows students to develop responsive websites that can be published locally to test its functionality. The software allows students to add all the features and elements that you would see on professional websites.
Python: We have a unit of study dedicated to learning Python programming where students will learn the fundamentals of the programming language before putting it into practice to build their own programs. This knowledge is then used later in Year 9 when the students have the chance to code the their Micro:Bit in python to create a range of programs for the Micro:Bit to execute.
Micro:Bits: Micro:Bits allow the students to fully engage with programming and program a device that can perform an array of functions. The students will have full access to the Micro:Bits within the department with two units of study focused upon it.
Scratch: Students will learn the fundamentals of programming in Y7 using the Scratch 3 environment. This will be used to teach them basic block coding and sequencing, alongside the use of operators, variables, selection and iteration.
Kudo: Kudo is a 3D game world environment that allows the students to develop their own 3D game environment and code the game to perform as they wish. They are able to create games with levels, characters and scores. The Kudo environment is developed using block coding therefore it provides a strong link to the coding environment such as scratch that they have learnt in a previous unit.
Courses & Qualifications
Key Stage 3
Throughout Year 7, 8 and 9 students will complete a mix of ICT and Computer Science units which will provide a strong broad understanding of ICT. Students will be learning and developing new skills providing them with confidence in ICT and preparing them for future study within ICT and beyond.
In ICT students will complete units including Digital Skills, E-Safety, Computing fundamentals, Video Editing, Digital Graphics, Interactive products such as website development written in HTML and using special software, App development, Networking, Cyber Security, Use of Micro:Bits to learn programming hands on alongside learning the programming language Python to create a range of programs in a standalone Python coding environment, and to code Micro:Bit Programs.
Key Stage 4
In Key Stage 4, we offer a Digital Media pathway called iMedia.
iMedia
One of the courses we offer is the Cambridge National Creative iMedia course by OCR. This vocationally-related qualification takes an engaging, practical and inspiring approach to learning and assessment. It will equip students with a range of skills and provide opportunities to develop, in context, transferable skills such as research, planning, and review, working with others and communicating creative concepts effectively.
The units of study are:
Coursework R094 Visual identity and digital graphics: This unit requires the students to create a digital graphic that meets the needs of a set client brief.
Coursework R097 Interactive digital media: This unit requires the students to create an interactive digital media product. The decision of what interactive digital media product is created is at the discretion of the student as there are a range of products that can be made.
Exam R093 Creative iMedia in the media industry: This is written exam that the students will sit at the end of Year 11. This exam will test their understanding of pre-production documents and the theory behind the media industry.
Learning Outside The Classroom
Coursework Catch-Up:
There are numerous sessions during the year where students are invited to attend coursework catch-up sessions during tutor time, after school, breaktime and during half term where they can come in and complete their work in a relaxed atmosphere with more one to one help from staff.
Coding Club:
There will be sessions at dinner times for students to come to the ICT department to further their programming understanding and practical ability. Students can either work on existing projects in this time, or work on new projects with support from the ICT staff team.
Where Does This Take Me In The Future?
In today's world, ICT is used everywhere; every day. Choosing to major in ICT would certainly put you above those without when applying for future careers. Some of the possible careers ICT could lead you into include:
- Cloud Computing Engineer
- Computer Network Specialist
- Cyber Security Officer
- Software/Application Developer
- Web Developer
- Games Developer
- Teacher
