ICT AT PRINCE HENRY’S

'Welcome to the ICT department. These pages are primarily designed as a support mechanism for students. Please understand that the resources are an extension to the teaching and classroom activities. Students from other schools may also find relevant information. We hope that parents will find these pages useful in understanding and supporting the work their children are undertaking.'
Victoria Othick, Head of ICT

Prince Henry's is committed to preparing students for the future and recognises that digital skills are an essential part of today’s curriculum. All subject areas harness ICT in both teaching and learning, with a special emphasis on communication skills. Students follow a comprehensive ICT curriculum, with opportunities for accelerated learning and the chance to take part in many extra-curricula activities.
It is vital that students are able to use ICT independently. In order to achieve high levels of ICT competence early, students study ICT for two 45-minute lessons per week during Year 7and Year 8. This allows students to tackle challenging activities and cover topics in more depth, allowing them not only to expand their skills and knowledge but also to gain confidence.

During Year 9 students continue to study ICT for two 45-minute lessons per week and have the opportunity to achieve an external national qualification in ICT, at Level 2. This is the target level the Government has set for all 16 year old students to achieve. We feel it is essential that all students leave Prince Henrys with an industry-recognised qualification in ICT.

In Key Stage 4, students can continue their studies through full course GCSE ICT. This course provides pupils with the opportunity to develop a range of skills through their exploration and application of ICT. As well as the core practical element, the course also covers theoretical aspects and students explore a range of topics e.g. robotics and control, legal issues, ethical and moral issues, computer networks, applications of IT, communications and the Internet, and hardware selection. The nature of the tasks emphasises problem solving and design, as well as actually using the software packages.
Students complete four equally weighted projects that contribute 60% to their final GCSE grade. The four project areas are databases, spreadsheets, desktop publishing and multimedia. The ICT coursework challenges students to be well organised, self-motivated and self-disciplined. It requires students to plan their time effectively and take responsibility for meeting deadlines and developing solutions.

In the Sixth form students may continue to extend their knowledge and understanding with AS and A2 Information and Communications Technology. In almost all careers people are now required to use Information Technology and in many cases a high degree of proficiency is needed. For those wishing to continue their study in this field they may find themselves working in, for example, business, media, manufacturing, design or finance. With the explosion of interest in the Internet and multimedia, IT skills are in high demand, supplementing the existing demand for people with skills in software design, networking, database management, graphics, artificial intelligence and many more.

Prince Henrys has excellent ICT facilities throughout the school to support student learning. In addition to PCs, many classrooms and departments have access to projectors and electronic whiteboards. There are five dedicated ICT suites, each with 30 computers as well as access to a wide range of standard equipment such as printers, scanners and digital cameras. Each computer suite has a digital projector, which is used in demonstrations and presentations, to enable students to progress quickly and easily.

In addition to this, there is an interactive multimedia language lab, which is part of the school's Language College. Equipped with specialist software, digital projector, electronic whiteboard and video conferencing facilities this state-of-the-art suite allows students to learn languages using new and exciting methods. The languages classrooms are also equipped with digital projectors and electronic whiteboards.

In science, students have access to a mobile computer lab of 30 wireless laptops. This gives the department the flexibility to use ICT in scientific experiments, monitoring chemical reactions with data logging software and analysing the results.

There is a wide range of access to computer equipment throughout the school, with many departments having access to laptop or desktop computers, printers and scanners. The school has a 10mb Internet connection link through Leeds Learning Star Network and all computers have Internet connection. There is additional equipment in the library, and many specialist facilities, such as video production in the media studies department.

Three computer suites are open every lunch time, and two computer suites are open each evening until 4.30pm (early close Fri). However, what is equally important is the support that is on hand from our technical and teaching staff.

Each room is supported by specialist staff so that students can work on a wide variety of ICT tasks with the help they need. In addition, there is a comprehensive support programme available at lunchtime through clubs and activities, such as a Key Stage 3 homework help club and on other days competitions, activities and GCSE support.