Staff members

·       Mrs J Welsh - Leader of ICT.

·       Mrs W Wooldridge - Teacher of ICT.

·       Miss D Garey - Teacher of ICT.

·       Mr O Keyworth - Teacher of ICT

·       Mr D Edmonston - Teacher of ICT

ICT Curriculum

Information and communication technologies (ICT) are now a crucial part of modern life. Almost everyone is affected by them, directly or indirectly. From personal computers to smartphones, from apps to websites, all of our lives, every day, are enhanced through the use of ICT. In today’s world, where ICT is constantly changing, individuals will increasingly need technological and information literacy skills. These skills are now as essential as the traditional skills of numeracy and literacy. Teaching at Sandown Bay Academy reflects this and provides students with a solid foundation for understanding and applying ICT in their future working lives.

ICT forms part of the National Curriculum and is offered to all Year 9, 10 and 11 students who study for a Functional Skills qualification. In their ICT lessons students learn to apply and develop their ICT capability through the use of ICT tools to support their learning in all subjects.

We offer GCSE ICT (double GCSE) and Level 2 OCR Cambridge National Certificate (Single GCSE) for those who wish to opt for this in Years 10 and 11.

We offer sixth form an A- Level in ICT or an OCR National Certificate.

Key Stage 3

Level 1 Functional Skills

Students are taught by a subject specialist who aims to get students through the Level 1 Functional Skills ICT qualification, this qualification will encourage learners to develop their ICT skills and transfer skills in ways that are appropriate to their situation which will help throughout the whole curriculum.

Functional Skills ICT gives learners a practical grounding in how to apply ICT skills to everyday situations, with a strong focus on explanation and problem solving.

·         ICT teaching groups are small enough to guarantee each student access to their own computer during lessons.

·         All students have one period of ICT per week.

·         There are a number of assessment opportunities, the teacher will guide the students to when they feel they are ready to sit the examination.

·         Functional Skills from OCR are graded Pass or Fail at Level 1

Key Stage 4

Level 2 Functional Skills

·         All students have one period of ICT per week.

·         Students are taught by a subject specialist who aims to get students through the Level 2 Functional Skills ICT qualification by the end of year 11.

·         Functional Skills from OCR are graded Pass or Fail at Level 2

·         There are a number of assessment opportunities, the teacher will guide the students to when they feel they are ready to sit the examination.

GCSE ICT

Students can take GCSE ICT as one of their option choices in Year 10. We offer two different choices, the Edexcel GCSE ICT (2 GCSE’s - but still only 1 option) and OCR Cambridge Nationals (1 GCSE), talk to one of the ICT teachers about which course you would be best suited to. The courses are normally oversubscribed, but we have managed to keep group sizes down to enable all students to access their own computer during lessons.

Edexcel GCSE ICT (Double Award):

This challenging fast paced course puts the emphasis on practical application, with plenty of topics that will appeal to most students. The Double Award consists of four units.

-  Unit 1 Exam paper (1½ hrs.) Living in a Digital World

-  Unit 2 Using Digital Tools a controlled assessment task.

-  Unit 3 Exam paper (1½ hrs.) Exploring Digital Design

-  Unit 4 Creating Digital Products a controlled assessment task

The course covers the latest in digital technology; students can feel confident the specification is up to date and relevant in today’s digital world.

·         ICT teaching groups are small enough to guarantee each student access to their own computer during lessons.

·         The final overall GCSE ICT (Double Award) from Edexcel will be graded A*A*, A*A, AA, AB, B,B, BC, CC, DC, DD, etc. at Level 2

OCR Cambridge Nationals Level 2 - National Certificate (Single Award)

Note: First teaching will be September 2012:

This qualification will assess the application of ICT skills through practical use. It will provide learners with essential knowledge, transferable skills and tools to improve their learning in other subjects with the aims of enhancing their employability when they leave education, contributing to their personal development and future economic well-being.

The OCR Level 2 Cambridge National Certificate in ICT consists of two mandatory units, one of which is an exam and two optional units (4 Units in total).

·         Exam paper (1hr): Understanding computer systems.  The exam is based on a pre-release case study and consists of two sections, each comprising short answer and extended response questions.

·         Good performance in some units will compensate for weaker performance in others, so that the qualification recognises each student’s strengths

·         ICT teaching groups are small enough to guarantee each student access to their own computer during lessons.

·         The Nationals from OCR are graded Pass, Merit and Distinction and Distinction* at Level 2

Key Stage 5

A levels

Students will be able to study the OCR AS/A Level GCE or the OCR Certificate in Years 12 and 13.

OCR AS/A Level GCE

This course sees students develop a wide range of ICT skills together with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of ICT. Candidates are encouraged to become discerning users of ICT.

This course provides the ideal foundation for those students who wish to pursue ICT at degree level or as a career.

The course consists of 4 units: 2 exams and 2 coursework elements

-  The coursework element  is 40%

-  Examinations are 2 hours.

OCR Level 3 Nationals Certificate in ICT

The OCR Level 3 Nationals Certificate is a practical based qualification intended to stimulate and interest candidates.

All 6 units are centre assessed and externally moderated by OCR. There are no timetabled exams for this qualification; candidates may complete units at a time that suits the centre. The units from this qualification are graded as Pass, Merit or Distinction.

Some candidates respond better to continual assessment than exams. OCR Nationals let candidates of every ability gain a qualification that represent their true understanding and ability.

Continual assessment and learning support gives candidates clear on-going indications of their progress, which helps them achieve real success.

ICT Access to ICT Outside of Lessons

Lunchtime

Room W4 there may be staff available: ask your teacher about this.

Break time

Room W4 there may be staff available: ask your teacher about this.

After Academy Hours

W4 is often available on Tuesday, and Thursday until 4pm, Alternative days may be available– discuss this with your teacher.

Sixth Form students Access to various rooms throughout the day.

No excuse for incomplete homework!

Rooms W4 & W8 are available for `printing off homework, etc. - 20 computers, staffed by a member of the ICT department, based on a first come first serve basis.