Staff:

Mrs A Wilkinson – Curriculum Leader

Mrs S Stringfellow – Targeted Achievement Leader

Mrs G Hughes – Teacher of ICT and Head of Year

Mr S Hughes – Teacher of Business Studies and ICT

Mrs L Barratt – Head of ICT and E-Learning Co-ordinator

Mrs M Pickup – Teaching Assistant
 

The faculty is made up of 5 teaching classrooms which are all equipped with up to 28 machines – enabling students to work independently at all times.  In addition all rooms have interactive whiteboards and full audio visual technology enabling the class teacher to provide a varied and exciting learning opportunity.  The staff have a wealth of experience and are committed to providing a fun, exciting and challenging environment in which all students can learn and achieve to the best of their ability.  The department is open from 8.15am to 5.15 pm everyday. 

Subjects Taught:

KS3 – ICT
Years 7 & 8 students follow the national strategy for ICT which is taught by all staff with a business and enterprise twist.  Students are set according to their ability and are fully engaged in the process of identifying their target grades and understanding their progress in order to ensure that they reach their full potential.  Topics covered include:

  • E-Safety
  • Where I Live
  • Information Systems
  • Managing a Band
  • Database Detectives
  • Website Creation
  • Endangered Animals

KS4 – ICT
In order to continue our commitment to ICT and Business all students are entered for a single award GCSE in Business and Communication Systems.  A 3 year course that is designed to fully prepare them for the world of work, the course covers many aspects that will be utilised in any career.  The course is designed to give them a sound understanding of the importance of business communication. The exam board followed for this qualification is AQA.


Certificate in Digital Applications
In addition to the compulsory ICT/Business qualification students can opt to study for a CIDA qualification – which is a more specialised qualification in the application of ICT technology.  The course is 100% coursework based and evidence is created and stored electronically.  Units of work studied include a compulsory unit of Using ICT and an optioned unit of ICT in Enterprise.  Success grades for this course have been exceptional with 100% pass rate for the last 2 years.


KS4 – Business Studies
Exciting developments are happening within the Business Studies department with the transition from vocational to GCSE subjects.  For the first time in a number of years we are providing an opportunity for students to study for a single award GCSE in Business Studies.  This follows a hugely successful period of time spent following the BTEC programme in Business which has seen fantastic success with pass rates being at 96% for the last 2 years.  The reason for this change is very simple – it is felt that GCSE will provide our students with greater opportunities to progress into further education and or employment.  Students who opt for this subject will be assessed via 2 examinations and a controlled assessment.  The department is very excited about this recent move and we are looking forward to delivering a highly challenging and enjoyable syllabus.