ICT

Staff

Mrs L Brown (Head of Department)
Mr R McGeagh
Mr C McHugh
Mr W McMurran (ICT Support Officer)

Aims

The Larne Grammar School ICT Department aims to:

Equip all pupils with the necessary skills to enable them to make full use of ICT across the range of subjects, university and in their future career
Foster an interest in and enjoyment of all aspects of Information and Communication Technology and Computer Science
Enable all pupils to leave school with an ICT related qualification

ICT Facilities

A wide range of ICT facilities are offered at Larne Grammar School:

4 computer suites
1 wireless laptop suite
2 sixth form computer work rooms
1 Apple Macintosh Music suite
1 Art & Home Economics computer work room
1 class sets of iPads
5 class sets of Google Chromebooks
Allowance for Bring Your Own Device
Wi-Fi coverage throughout the school

All pupils and staff are provided with their own email address and access to the internet. Each classroom in the school has at least one C2K machine, a high-definition data projector and access to a printer. Each teacher also has access to a Surface Pro 7 and a visualiser for their teaching.

A wireless network operates to cover the entire school to allow students and staff to access the C2K network and internet outside of class times and so facilitate independent learning. This network also allows pupils and staff to use their own devices to connect to the network.

Key Stage 3

In Larne Grammar School ICT is an integral part of the curriculum. In Year 8 and Year 10 ICT skills are taught as a discrete subject by specialist teachers. These skills are then applied by the pupils across the curriculum. Currently the KS3 curriculum includes:

Spreadsheet software
Database development
Internet research and internet safety
Website development
Game development
Developing programming skills using Scratch, HTML and JavaScript.

GCSE

Digital Tecnology

At GCSE, Digital Technology is a compulsory subject for all our KS4 pupils. Digital Technology 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. This includes computer architecture, networks, web technology, digital media, programming tools and software applications. The course is split into two routes and we have chosen the Multimedia option:

GCSE Digital Technology (Multimedia) has three units:

Unit 1: Digital Technology (examination)
Unit 2: Digital Authoring Concepts (examination)
Unit 3: Digital Authoring Practice (controlled assessment)

With this qualification, pupils may choose to progress to GCE Digital Technology or OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in IT. This GCSE also helps to equip students for a career in a multitude of industries, such as digital media, mobile development, cyber security, cloud computing and managing big data. Click here for more information on CCEA GCSE Digital Technology.

A Level

At A Level we currently offer Digital Technology and OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in IT. The Digital Technology course includes computing tasks that are more demanding academically. This option is recommended for those students who may wish to pursue a career as an IT professional (e.g. programmer, system designer, network manager and so on). The OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in IT (Level 3) course consists of two examinations and three units of coursework and is a very useful option for any general career path.

Digital Technology

The GCE A level qualification in Digital Technology advances learners’ understanding of the digital technologies that are used by individuals and organisations across the world, including how they have developed and how they continue to change. Digital Technology at A Level, also involves programming to solve problems, and the style of questions is different from GCSE, as pupils need to be able answer in more depth and with a higher level of technical detail.

Pupils will also develop practical skills in developing both creative digital products and digital solutions to problems faced by organisations, supporting their progression into employment in a career that utilises digital technologies or onto a programme of higher education involving digital technologies.

This course should be undertaken by pupils wishing to demonstrate knowledge of the use of computers to solve problems in a wide variety of contexts. In the current climate the skills gained should be much sought after in the academic and business communities. This course will also be very useful for those wishing to study IT or Computing at university.

A wide range of pupils should find that Digital Technology is a very useful subject that complements their other subject choices.

Level 3 Information Technology (Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma)

The OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in IT (Level 3) has five modules. In addition to the two mandatory units (Units 1 - Fundamentals of IT and Unit 2 - Global Information), pupils take the designated mandatory unit for this pathway - Unit 6 Application Design, where they will explore application design and develop a prototype to meet a set of user requirements. Pupils will also take two optional units (Unit 8 – Project Management and Unit 21: Web Design and Prototyping). Click here for more information on OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in IT (Level 3). The module titles and years studied are given below:

Year 13

Unit 1 – Fundamentals of IT (examination)
Unit 2 – Global Information (examination)

Year 14

Unit 6 – Application Design (coursework)
Unit 8 – Project Management (coursework)
Unit 21 – Web Design and Prototyping (coursework)

IT professionals are not only employed in the IT sector but also across all other sectors, as IT is used by almost all businesses. ICT skills are also increasingly necessary for:

University computing related courses
Modules within other degree subjects
Demonstrating the essential and desirable skills required for using ICT in employment

Extra-Curricular

Pupils can avail of open access to ICT resources from 8:30 – 8:50am every morning and every afternoon from 3:20-4:20pm. Throughout the year there are after school facilities in the ICT department where all pupils can avail of specialist assistance and senior pupils can continue coursework development.