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ICT

Department Staff

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Mr R. McCabe (ICT Co-ordinator)

Mrs F. Hartigan

Mrs M. Lively

Mrs T. Dillion

Miss A. Cassidy 

Mr K. McKernan (IT Technician)

Subject Information

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The ICT/Digital Technology department aims to provide all students with opportunities to creatively use digital technologies to acquire knowledge and practice skills through the use of IT. All students are able to develop essential skills required to enable them to use a range of software applications competently and appropriately. As a result of the growing 21st century digital world,  the ICT/Digital Technology department constantly modifies the curriculum offered to ensure students keep updated with technological advancements and are fully equipped with the necessary technical knowledge and skills needed for the future world of work.

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Curriculum Information

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Key Stage 3

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Students in Years 8 and 10 have discrete IT lessons for 50 minutes per week. Students are provided with the opportunity to build upon existing skills in Key Stage 2 and embrace new IT skills in Key Stage 3.

 

Lessons are delivered in IT suites and students have the opportunity to become familiar with a variety of software applications to develop technical skills which they can use across the curriculum.

 

Students explore a range of topics including: an introduction to ICT in St. Patrick’s, word processing, internet safety, spreadsheet manipulation, digital story creation, web design and development, scratch programming and an introduction to Python programming. Pupils also get to explore careers linked to ICT in preparation for GCSE subject selection in  Year 10.

 

Our KS3 curriculum is revised on a yearly basis by keeping up to date with technology advancements as well as acting on staff and pupil feedback collated at the end of each academic year.

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Key Stage 4 (GCSE)

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GCSE Digital Technology and BTEC I&CT courses are offered at GCSE level in St. Patricks; these courses give students the opportunity to acquire and apply creative and technical ICT skills whilst also building upon their knowledge and understanding of ICT and computer systems.  Teaching staff endeavour to deliver engaging lessons to students and provide all necessary assistance to each student to ensure they feel supported throughout their studies.

 

GCSE Digital Technology

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Digital Technology embraces the study of evolving technological advancements and incorporates aspects of computer science and information technology. It explores how we can use technology to create, store, process, analyse and present information in a digital context. Students are able to acquire and apply knowledge and understanding of digital technology in a variety of contexts. They also develop creative and practical digital technology skills  using a range of generic software. Students explore the legal, social, economic, ethical and environmental impact of digital technology. This qualification also helps them to develop transferable skills such as creative problem solving and teamwork. In St. Patrick’s, students can study GCSE Digital Technology Route A: Multimedia

 

Qualification Breakdown - Route A: Multimedia

Compulsory Core Unit

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Unit 1:

Digital Technology

In this unit, students explore a range of digital technologies available for data storage, manipulation, presentation and transfer. They also evaluate the importance of data security and data legislation.

External Written Examination

 

1 hour

Worth 30%

Multimedia Units

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Unit 2:

Digital Authoring Concepts

In this unit, students develop understanding of the concepts involved in the development of digital systems.

External Written Examination

 

1 hour 30 mins

Worth 40%

Unit 3:

Digital Authoring Practice

In this unit, students design, develop and test digital multimedia systems.

Controlled Assessment Task

Worth 40%

BTEC I&CT (Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Information and Creative Technology)


This qualification aims to inspire and enthuse students to consider a career in the Information and Creative Technology sector. It gives students the opportunity to gain broad knowledge and understanding of, and develop skills in, the Information and Creative Technology sector. Furthermore, this qualification supports progression to specialised Level 3 qualifications in Information and Creative Technology, or to an Apprenticeship and give learners the potential opportunity, in due course, to enter employment in a wide range of job roles.

 

Students will study 3 units in total across 2 years including:

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  • Unit 1: The Online World (Year 11)

  • Unit 3: A Digital Portfolio (Year 11/12)

  • Unit 10: Database Development (Year 11)

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Key Stage 5 (GCE/A-Level)

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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Information Technology is offered to Post-16 students in St. Patrick’s. The objective of this qualification is to give learners the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills in IT systems, systems management and social media in business. This will enable learners to progress to further study in the IT sector or other sectors.

 

Students will study 4 units in total across 2 years including:

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  • Unit 1: Information Technology Systems (Year 13)

Students study the role of computer systems and the implications of their use in personal and professional situations.

 

  • Unit 2: Creating Systems to Manage Information (Year 13)

Students  study the design, creation, testing and evaluation of a relational database system to manage information.

 

  • Unit 3: Using Social Media in Business (Year 14)

Students explore how businesses use social media to promote their products and services. Students also implement social media activities in a business to meet requirements.

 

  • Unit 5: Data Modelling (Year 14)

Students study how data modelling can be used to solve problems. They will design and implement a data model to meet client requirements.

 

This qualification gives students the opportunity to progress to a degree in an information technology discipline or a degree where information technology related skills and knowledge may be advantageous.

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Extra-Curricular

 

The ICT/Digital Technology department endeavors to enrich the curriculum offered in Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 throughout the year with various guest speakers, workshops and projects provided to pupils in areas such as careers in IT, app development and computer programming.

 

KS3 pupils are able to attend afterschool Minecraft Club each week with KS4/5 pupils attending lunchtime and afterschool revision sessions for each course offered within the department.

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Careers

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The courses that are offered in the ICT/Digital department will prepare students for a wide range of courses in Higher Education as well as employment in the computer industry. As a result of the growing use and influence of computing in the majority of industries existent today,  careers in IT encompasses a variety of jobs including: Mobile Application Developers, Database Analysts, Computer Programmer, Web Designers, Software Engineers,  Social Media & Marketing Managers/Co-ordinators, Computer Games Developers, Digital Marketing Specialists, Technology Support Technician, Network Administrators, Systems Analyst, Teaching.

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Useful Links

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CCEA GCSE Digital Technology Microsite

BTEC Firsts Information and Creative Technology Microsite

BTEC Nationals Level 3 Information Technology Microsite

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ICT Twitter Link >

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