Welcome to the ICT Department!

“ I think there's a world market for maybe five computers.”

( Thomas Watson, the chairman of IBM in 1940)

“There is no reason why anyone would want to have a computer in their home.”

( President of Digital Equipment Corporation in 1977)

“640 K should be enough for anyone.”

( Bill Gates, Chairman of Microsoft in 1984)

The history of Information and Communication Technology is littered with prophecies which now look very silly.

In this rapidly developing subject, the ICT Department at Bethany School aims to equip our students with, firstly, the skills to cope in our modern world and, secondly, to use the technological developments that occur in an effective way.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8, 9)

Students are taught in three sets in Years 7 & 8 and four sets in Year 9 broadly following the Key Stage 3 framework of the National Curriculum.

The principal aim is to develop the necessary skills that will allow them to make best use of ICT in their studies and in later life.

Students are also encouraged to develop decision-making skills in the choice and application of different pieces of software to solve different tasks, taking into account the potential audience or users of the outcome.

During year 9, students take a series of CLAIT units to provide them with a nationally recognised qualification in ICT skills.

GCSE (Years 10 & 11)

ICT is an optional subject at GCSE and students follow the AQA course 3521.

This involves two substantial pieces of coursework, one set by the examination board involving the development of solutions to a series of ‘real-world' tasks and the second a project of their own choice to solve a problem for a person or organisation.

The coursework accounts for 60% of the overall mark with the remaining 40% from an examination.

A LEVEL (Years 12 & 13)

A new A level syllabus for ICT is being introduced from September 2009 to take into account developments in the subject over the past few years.

In year 12, we will be considering the effects of living in the digital world and carry out a range of practical problem-solving exercises leading to two examinations at the end of the year.

Year 13 will build upon this by extending the work to consider the application of ICT by organisations covering both the advantages and disadvantages that this poses our society.

In addition to the examination, a project will be carried out to solve a problem for an identified user. This will involve the identification of the problem, requirements for a successful solution and the design, production and installation of the resulting system to the user's satisfaction.