Farringtons School - Senior - Academic Programme - Subject Archive

The school has a local area network (LAN) which provides an integral system for teaching, studying and administration throughout the Junior and Senior Schools. Students have access to networked PC’s in each departmental area and in specialist computer suites. Information Technology skills are actively taught within individual curriculum areas and during specialist ICT lessons. Data projectors, laptops and e-beam interactive whiteboards are deployed within the school.

All students have an e-mail address, and access to the Internet is allowed for research purposes. Student security and monitoring is employed through our Intelligent Network Technology (INTY), mail and Internet filtering software.
ICT is taught up to Year 9 and can be taken as a GCSE, AS and A2 subject.
Students have access to ICT lessons on the network. There is a large quantity of individual lessons and resources for KS3 and KS4 on the network across year 7 to 11. Pupils are able to improve their ICT Skills using KAZ typing tutor either in class or via the internet from home.

Example of Coursework from current Year 12 pupils which shows the User Input for a designed Calculation System. This screen displays the combo boxes for selecting the quote for a wedding dress company and macro buttons are used for automatic tasks such as printing the invoice.

Key Stage 3

In Year 7- 9 the ICT syllabus follows the QCA KS3 Strategy scheme of work. This provides hands on experience using a variety of office applications and introduces IT theory modules.

Year 7 – General ICT skills, Parts of the computer, DTP using Publisher, Powerpoint Presentation Software and an introduction to Spreadsheets (Excel) and Databases (Access Tables, adding images to a database and Forms). Making a LOGO in paint.
Unit 1. Using ICT
Unit 2. Information and presentation
Unit 3. Processing text and images
Unit 4. Models - rules and investigations
Unit 5. Data - designing structure, capturing and presenting data

Year 8 - Web design using Frontpage, Supermarket systems (including EPOS and Legislation),Input, Processes and Output, Storage devices, using the internet, Control software, Excel and Databases (Access Queries and Reports).
Unit 6. Control - input, process and output
Unit 7. Measuring physical data
Unit 8. Public information systems
Unit 9. Publishing on the web
Unit 10. Information - reliability, validity and bias

Year 9 - Control systems (Flowol), using LOGO software, further skills in Excel and Databases (Access Relational databases, Combo boxes and Validation). – introduction to systems life cycle, Security, WAN and LAN.
Unit 11. Data - use and misuse
Unit 12. Systems - integrating applications to find solutions
Unit 13. Control systems
Unit 14. Global communication - negotiating and transferring data
Unit 15. Systems: managing a project

Key Stage 4
ICT is a popular GCSE subject with a proven track record of excellent results. Students work with a variety of software and produce coursework to demonstrate their ability and understanding. Projects are developed using databases, spreadsheets, DTP and Web based design.
The theory element gives the students a thorough understanding of a range of topics including system life cycles, network architecture and system security.

Key Stage 5
Students are able to continue their ICT studies up to A2 level. This follows a similar pattern to the GCSE, but allows students to develop a depth of knowledge in one major software package. Coursework forms an integral part of the course. Students work on individual projects and develop their time management and analysis skills – all good preparation for University or working life.

Key Stage 3

In Year 7- 9 the ICT syllabus follows the QCA KS3 Strategy scheme of work. This provides hands on experience using a variety of office applications and introduces IT theory modules.

ICT 1
• Knowledge, Information & Data
• Value & Importance of Information
• Control of Information
• Capabilities & Limitations of ICT
• The Social Impact of ICT
• ICT and business
• ICT in a caring society
• Role of Communication Systems
• Information & the Professional
• Information Systems Malpractice & Crime
• The Legal Framework
• Data Protection Legislation
• Health & Safety

ICT 2
• Data Capture

• Verification & Validation
• Organisation of Data for Effective Retrieval
• Software: Nature, Capabilities and Limitations
• Nature & Types of Software
• Capabilities of Software
• Upgradability & Reliability
• Manipulation and / or Processing of data
• Dissemination / Distribution
• Hardware: Nature, Capabilities and Limitations
• Security of Data
• Network Environments
• Human / Computer Interface

ICT 2
• Data Capture

ICT 3 SPREADSHEET COURSEWORK

Year 12 Calculation System for a Fancy dress company using combo boxes and Vlookup formulae

ICT 4
• Organisational Structure
• Information Systems and Organisations
• Definition of a management information system (MIS)
• The development and life cycle of an information system
• Success or failure of a management information system
• Corporate Information Systems Strategy
• Information Flow
• Personnel
• Information and data
• Data
• Information
• Effective Presentation
• Management of Change
• Legal Aspects
• Audit requirements
• Disaster recovery management
• Legislation
• User Support
• Project Management and Effective ICT Teams
• Information & the Professional - Ethics and responsible behaviour

ICT 5
• Policy & Strategy issues
• Software Evaluation
• Database Management Concepts
• Communication and Information Systems
• Networks
• Human/Computer Interaction
• Human/Computer Interface
• Software Development
• Software Reliability
• Portability of Data (Protocols and Standards)

ICT 6
Year 13 User Input design Booking System for a building company Forms made from tables so that a job can be booked in the Relational database.

Using Forms to make a booking for a customer on the database.

Recent Developments
• In September 2006 the new art study area opened with flat screen computers for use. Photoshop software and office applications have been installed on networked computers
• In September 2005 we had the “launch” of the new ICT Suites – with all new software (MS Office XP) and hardware including flat screens, e-beams and USB compatible PC’s.
• In addition the new Sixth Form study area has opened – fitted out with the latest technology.
• Sixth Form students are encouraged to use laptops and “Hot Desking” technology forms an important element of the new ICT suites.
• Video Conferencing facilities have been introduced.

GCE Information and Communication Technology

Introducing AQA's new course specification for Information and Communication Technology for AS and A Level. This new specification has been designed to:

help students who wish to go on to higher education courses or employment where understanding how ICT can be used in society and business, and the implications of its use, will be a valuable asset
offer more opportunities for practical work than the current specification.

THE NEW A LEVELS FROM SEPT 2008

Unit 1 – INFO1

THE NEW A LEVELS FROM SEPT 2008

Unit 1 – INFO1

Practical Problem Solving in the Digital World

50% of AS, 25% of A Level

1 hour 30 minutes examination

80 marks

Section A: short answer questions

Section B: structured questions

Unit 2 – INFO2

Living in the Digital World

50% of AS, 25% of A Level

1 hour 30 minutes examination

0 marks

Section A: short answer questions

Section B: structured questions

1521

Unit 3 – INFO3

The Use of ICT in the Digital World

30% of A Level

2 hour examination

100 marks

Section A: structured questions based on pre-release material

Section B: questions requiring extended answers

Unit 4 – INFO4

Coursework: Practical Issues Involved in the Use of ICT in the Digital World

20% of A Level

Coursework project report, marked by centre and moderated by AQA

70 marks

Students complete a project involving the production of an ICT-related system over anextended period of time

AS + A2 = A Level