Built from the bottom up
ICT makes an appearance in almost any industry, which means that there is a high probability that your child(ren) will be required to interact with technology on a daily basis. Here at Taverham Hall School we try and instill a solid understanding of proficiency in core computer skills from an early age. In order to facilitate the learning of these core skills we use the following software packages;
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint)
- Internet Explorer
- English Junior touch typing
Challenging young minds with new experiences
ICT is not all about being a means to an end. The IT industry is huge and offers amazing and exciting careers. We feel that it is our responsibility to show your child(ren) the potential uses of ICT, not only in day-to-day use, but also as a career in and of itself. With this in mind we explore software and learn skills which help the pupils to realise the bigger picture of ICT and its applications.
Some of the software that we explore can be seen below;
- Scratch game programming (graphical based programming designed to teach pupils procedural logic)
- Drawplus X4 – A graphics programmed which also includes animation
- Google documents – A web-based text editor, spreadsheet and presentation tool which allows group editing and tools linked to Google search engine along with many other great features.
Please click on the following link to view our ICT Blog page.
Acknowledging excellence in ICT
Our Year 8 pupils are the pinnacle of knowledge however, in most Prep schools they receive no formal recognition of their achievements in the form of an exam or grade in ICT.
At Taverham Hall School our Year 8 pupils undertake the task of gaining a Certificate of Achievement in ICT.
This is a certificate offered by the Independent Schools Examinations Board to recognize the achievements of young people in ICT and it is an opportunity for our pupils to receive recognition in ICT which will stay with them well beyond their last year with us.
More information about the Independent Schools Examinations Board can be found via http://www.iseb.co.uk/
More information about the Certificate of Achievement in ICT can be found via http://www.iseb.co.uk/assessmentict.htm
Keeping the pupils on track
The aim of the Certificate of Achievement in ICT is to demonstrate understanding of various skills in key areas. The table below outlines some of the skills that are required to gain this certificate:
Please click here to view the table
There are also 3 electronic tests which must be passed in order to gain the certificate. These tests are designed to assess the pupils skills in the areas of word processing, data handling and website design.
Keeping our pupils secure
Children are permitted to use the Internet but only when an adult is present in the ICT suite. Necessary Internet security measures are in place to ensure that children are not able to access unsuitable material albeit accidentally.
In addition, our pupils are educated on safe and responsible use of the Internet in their ICT lessons and also by the PHSE department so that they understand what to do and what not to do when dealing with potentially unsafe situations while using computers both at school and at home.
Everyone should have ready access to a computer
Here at Taverham Hall School we firmly believe that computers and peripherals should be available as often as possible to everyone at the school. With this in mind we have the following ICT facilities;
- A dedicated ICT suite of 21 computers in which each pupil from year 2 upwards receives at least one specialist ICT lesson a week. This suite is also available to all other subjects to use for cross-curriculum teaching.
- A suite of computers in the DT block which are used as part of the dedicated DT lessons and can also be used by other subjects.
- Each classroom has at least one computer and an interactive whiteboard to facilitate modern teaching methods.
- The school libraries have computers which both run the library book software and also facilitate extra curriculum use.
- Printing is readily available in the school from all areas with a mixture of large, dedicated printers in central areas and individual printers in admin areas.
- There is also a facility for laptop use on a booking basis for those staff and pupils that would benefit from its use