Course Specific
- What is taught in ICT at Key Stage 3 (year8 and 9 pupils)?
- What ICT courses are available for Key Stage 4 (year10 and 11 pupils)?
- Is every Key Stage 4 lesson taught in a computer room?
- What AS and A2 courses do you offer in ICT?
- Do I have to do GCSE ICT to get into AS ICT?
- Does AS or A2 ICT involve writing programs (coding)?
- If I want to take AS ICT what other AS subjects should I also study?
- Do I have to do AS ICT before I can do A2 ICT?
- Is there a big difference between AS and A2?
- How many ICT lessons are there per fortnight?
General
- Which software is used for teaching ICT?
- Can I use the computers at lunchtime?
- Can I use the computers after school?
- What sort of jobs/professions require good ICT skills?
- Where can I get more information?
What is taught in ICT at Key Stage 3 (year8 and 9 pupils)?
Pupils will follow the new National Framework for ICT that was launched by the Government in September 2002. This includes appreciation of how ICT can be used in areas such as presentations, modelling, data logging, control technology and communication.
What ICT courses are available for Key Stage 4 (year10 and 11 pupils)?
This is covered in the 'Courses' page. Click here to go to the page.
Is every Key Stage 4 lesson taught in a computer room?
Yes.
What AS and A2 courses do you offer in ICT?
We offer both AS and A2 ICT. We are presently following the OCR specifications. Full copies of the specification along with sample questions and coursework tasks are available from the OCR website. Click here to go straight to the relevant pages.
From September 2007 we have also begun teaching AS Computing. We hope to offer A2 Computing from September 2008
Do I have to do GCSE ICT to get into AS ICT?
No. The OCR specification is designed so that it is available to anyone regardless of their experience at Key Stage 4. However, if you have taken any form of GCSE in ICT (long or short course) you will clearly have an advantage, but you will find that AS will not be a re-run of the GCSE course and there will be plenty of challenges for you!
Does AS or A2 ICT involve writing programs (coding)?
No. This course is about how ICT is used in commerce, industry and society as a whole. A lot of design is involved, but only in terms of designing presentations, web sites, databases and solutions to specific problems using generic applications software.
The AS Computing course that we have begun teaching this academic year certainly does involve coding. You have to be a logical thinker and be comfortable with using mathematics to get the most out of the course.
If I want to take AS ICT what other AS subjects should I also study?
Any other subjects! AS ICT goes just about hand-in-hand with all subjects, especially since the skills that you acquire can be useful across the board. However, the timetable might produce some limitations in choice in the way that it is designed. For more information on this matter you are advised to contact Mr.Field, Director of Sixth Form at the school address.
Do I have to do AS ICT before I can do A2 ICT?
Yes! It is a prerequisite of all A2 courses and all exam boards that candidates study the AS level year first before any attempt is made at the A2 course. It is the same for AS and A2 computing.
Is there a big difference between AS and A2?
The difference is significant. The A2 course material takes a much deeper look at the impact of ICT on society and how various walks of life (especially the business community) adapt to, and manage, the huge variety of changes that modern technology brings.
Part of the assessment for A2 ICT involves a long project where candidates are required to design a full ICT solution to a real-life problem which they must identify themselves.
How many ICT lessons are there per fortnight?
In year 7 there are 2 lessons per fortnight
In year 8 there are 2 lessons per fortnight
In year 9 there is 1 lesson per fortnight
In year10 and 11 there are 5 lessons per fortnight for CIDA
In years 12 and 13 there are 9 lessons per fortnight
Which software is used for teaching ICT?
For general work we use Microsoft Office 2003 - this is a package that contains the wordprocessor Word, the spreadsheet Excel, the presentation package PowerPoint and the database Access. We also have the DTP application Publisher as an add-on to Office. For writing webpages we use Macromedia Dreamweaver and for image manipulation we have Macromedia Fireworks and Photoshop Elements. We also have Macromedia Flash and Macromedia Freehand.
Can I use the computers at lunchtime?
Yes. There are 15 computers available in the library resource area every lunchtime. Other computer rooms are often open at lunchtime when not being used for sixth form teaching.
Can I use the computers after school?
Yes. The library resource area with its 15 computers is open for an hour after school from Monday to Thursday every week.
What sort of jobs/professions require good ICT skills?
Just about every job and every profession will require some knowledge of ICT and the use of basic applications. Employers are bound to look favourably on job applicants who can demonstrate that they know their spreadsheet from their wordprocessor.
Where can I get more information?
For further information on any of the topics covered here please contact Hellesdon High School directly 01603 424711
Last updated 23/2/08