ICT RULES OF CONDUCT

ICT and COMPUTING

Lawrence Sheriff School, as might be expected from a specialist Mathematics and Computing college, has a very successful ICT and Computing department. Our aim is for pupils to use ICT appropriately and independently across the whole curriculum as well as in their own time. Both teaching and support staff endeavour to work together bringing their wide range of skills and strengths to support each other and the boys in a friendly and relaxed yet purposeful environment.

STAFF

Teaching Team

Support Team

FACILITIES

The school has five computer suites, a study room in the Sixth Form Centre equipped with networked PCs and a second study room near the library which can be used by small classes.  There is a bank of resources including laptops which can be booked by departments and a class set of laptops used in Mathematics. Black-and-white and colour laser printers, scanners and ceiling-mounted data projectors are available in all computer suites and many teachers use tablet pcs, wireless keyboards and mice or interactive whiteboards in their lessons for teaching and learning.

CURRICULUM

All pupils in years 7 to 11 have timetabled ICT lessons.

We aim to cover most of the capabilities required in Key Stage 3 of the National Curriculum in years 7 and 8 enabling students to develop the skills and capabilities needed for further study during year 9.  In years 7, 8 and 9 pupils are taught for one lesson a week in groups of 15 or 16. Units are tailored to suit the interests and abilities of the pupils. Lessons may be supported by Teaching Assistants enabling us to provide challenge for the most able and support for any boys who are less confident in the use of ICT.

In 2004 we introduced the European Computer Driving Licence as a self-study extension activity for a small group of Year 9 students. This provides another opportunity to extend the gifted and talented students at Lawrence Sheriff School. From 2006 opportunities for study of ECDL will be incorporated into Enrichment time.

From 2006 boys entering Year 10 have the opportunity to follow an AS course in Computing or in Applied ICT or to produce e-portfolios for qualification in the Certificate in Digital Applications (part of the DiDA suite of qualifications and equivalent to 2 GCSEs). Year 11 students will be following a GCSE course.  Options in the Sixth Form include AQA Computing (AQA) and Applied ICT (AQA) at both AS and A level.

DESTINATIONS

Many of our past students have gone on to further study in a range of Computing based courses, from Business ICT and web-design, through to Computer Science and destinations include Warwick, Nottingham and Birmingham Universities. Some of our former students have come back to join us as technicians as part of their studies.

EXTRA CURRICULAR

As part of our development as a result of Specialist status, the school appointed a Virtual Learning Manager in 2003, and this has led to work in a number of exciting projects within Lawrence Sheriff, our partner schools and the wider community. Enrichment activities include computer control, programming, Dreamweaver and games design. Some boys follow an AS level in Music Technology

We have strong links with a partner schools and we are able to offer and provide ICT support and expertise in areas that they identify. A series of Saturday ICT workshops for Year 6 students from our partner schools began in the summer term 2004 with a morning of ‘System and Control'. We continue to build a library of equipment that can be ‘loaned out' to our partner schools.

It is hoped that we will be able to form further links with the business community. Already ICT teaching-staff have been able to experience ‘ICT in the workplace' thanks to local business and industries offering ‘teacher work experience placements'.  Opportunities to learn new skills and develop capabilities are seen as essential for staff and students alike.