St Mary's School Calne

ICT

ICT is part of the curriculum for all girls from the LIV Form to the LVI Form. In the lower school ICT it is taught using a thematic approach which is designed to offer students the opportunity acquire skills in ICT applications using a variety of situations.  This will enable students to be confident in their use of ICT and to use the skills they have acquired in other subjects. With-in the thematic approach all girls are guided in their use of Microsoft Office (currently version 2003) for word processing, spreadsheets and databases. The Serif range of products for desktop publishing, web browsing and creating animations is also used by the girls in the lower school. In the V Form the girls progress to using Macromedia 8 Suite (Dreamweaver (web design), Fireworks (graphic manipulation) and Flash (animation).  In addition both industry standard photo and video editing software is used.  The girls are also taught how to make advanced searches of the internet, and how to evaluate what they find.

Both peer and self-evaluation are useful in ICT, and both are used to extend the girls’ learning further. Their use of the internet and email facilities is governed by the Pupil Policy Document which they sign to say they agree with the terms.  

Qualifications:

European Computer Drivers License

The ECDL is begun in the Upper V Form and completed in the LVI Form.  Universities are keen for students to arrive with proof of ICT skills, and indeed in many cases make it a stipulation of entry. The ECDL is worth 10 UCAS points.  This international qualification is administered by the British Computer Society.  

OCR AS and A Level ICT

ICT is available as an A Level option and is taught at both AS and A2 Levels.  At both AS and A2 there is a significant coursework element (40%) which allows the girls to be rewarded for what they can do as well as what they know.

Resources

St Mary’s girls, and staff, have excellent access to ICT facilities.  There are two full-size rooms, with 22-24 machines each, and another of 12 machines.  Girls are encouraged to have their own laptop from the UIV Form and these are connected to the school internet and printing facilities. Interactive whiteboards are available and growing in number as are departmental digital projectors.  There are departmental digital cameras and a digital video camera is available for the girls to sign out as they need to.  

Mrs Anne Thornton Head of ICT.