Information and Communications Technology
Durham school as taken a great step forward in the provision and use of ICT, within the subjects own right and across the whole curriculum. A new computer suite of 50 networked computers and two servers gives the central provision for ICT. The new computer suite allows controlled safe access to the internet, now acting as the leading research tool across all curriculum subjects. Access to the network is available to all students during free time and activities to allow for free study or class work to be completed.
Students in year 7, 8 and 9 follow a common course of study, based upon the National Curriculum. All areas of ICT are covered, some in combination with other subjects such as scripting, modelling and producing animations, involving the English, Design and Technology departments as well as the ICT department. This early stage of developing ICT skills is seen as essential, to give a solid foundation for the use of ICT throughout the student’s life within the school, and beyond.
In year 10 and 11 all students continue with some formal ICT lessons, to help improve their skills, or help with specific use of ICT in other subjects. A GCSE is offered in Year 10 which lasts for two years, following AQA ICT specification A, Number 3521. Project work is carried out throughout the two years and used for assessment, along with an examination at the end of the second year. Typical project work includes designing and creating posters, calculations solved using a spreadsheet, data stored and sorted in a database used for a mail merge.
In the Sixth Form we follow the AQA Computing Specification, Number 5511 (AS) and 6511 (A2). Students solve a practical exercise set by the exam board, using skills and knowledge gained through the structured learning within the ICT department.
In the second year (A2) there is a substantial project of the candidate's own choosing and will usually be done using Access. It is essential that candidates customise their solution and use some advanced features of Access. Examples of projects are a Mail Order Company and a Driving School system for booking lessons and producing bills for the students.
Maths
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