ICT

ICT is an integral part of Liverpool College and encompasses many facets of school life including administrative and reporting systems as well as other academic departments. The ICT suites are available for booking and this facility is well-used. The skills learnt in ICT lessons are widely used across the College for a multitude of applications. Pupils are actively encouraged by all staff to make good use of computers as appropriate.

Facilities

Liverpool College has a large local area network consisting of over 250 computers. All pupils have access to the latest software and hardware as well as high-speed Internet access and their own e-mail account. The Upper School boasts six dedicated ICT suites - all of which have digital projectors and audio systems. There are also computer facilities in the school library and sixth form areas. All classrooms at the College have digital video and audio systems installed provided opportunities for a rich mixture of learning experiences.

Remote Access

Click here for more information about Remote Access.

KeyStage 3

ICT at Key Stage 3 is taught as a specialist subject. All pupils in Years 7 enjoy one lesson per week in one of the many networked ICT suites available. In years 8 and 9, this becomes optional and there are two lessons per week. The skills they are taught cover all generic software packages such as word processing, databases, spreadsheets, presentation software and desk top publishing. They also learn other skills such as electronic communication, web site design, digital video editing, computer control and data logging. The main purpose of the Key Stage 3 syllabus is to ensure that all pupils become autonomous users of ICT and that they are prepared for the rigours of Years 10, 11 and beyond.

Key Stage 4

We offer the Edexcel CiDA qualification as an optional subject. CiDA stands for 'Certificate in Digital Applications'. It is a suite of paperless qualifications that focus on the practical application of technology. CiDA qualifications prepare students for the real world of work or further education. It will:

  • develop students' ability to select and use digital applications appropriately and produce high quality outcomes;
  • promote the use of digital applications for achieving a goal, rather than for their own sake;
  • enhance creativity and communication;
  • equip students with some of the skills that they will need in the workplace or in further education or training;
  • develop project management skills;
  • free students' work from paper, making it organised, searchable, dynamic and transportable; and
  • encourage students to reflect critically on their own and others' use of digital applications.

At Liverpool College, we offer the Certificate (CiDA) which is worth two GCSEs.

A Level ICT

At A Level, we follow AQA Applied Information and Communication Technology (syllabus code: 8756)
Specification: http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/pdf/AQA-8751-8753-8756-8757-8759-W-SP-12.PDF

This course is challenging both in terms of its concepts and technical skills. Pupils who choose this course should have at least a grade B at GCSE ICT or Computer Science. Pupils studying the DiDA qualification should have a Credit, Merit or Distinction.
This qualification concentrates on research and development of skills in areas such as relational database development, advanced spreadsheets, web design, project management and document design. It also looks at the impact ICT has had both on society and within organisations. It is mostly coursework but there are two externally-assessed units which are similar to examinations. These make up 40% of the overall qualification mark and are practical assignments completed on a computer under controlled conditions. The length of these controlled times total 15 and 18 hours respectively. The other four units are more traditional coursework. This better reflects the true nature of ICT in real situations. This qualification gives a solid foundation for future study in many areas because of the intrinsic nature of ICT. It also serves as a foothold for pupils wishing to go on to study ICT or computing at University.

AS Units

Unit 1 - ICT and Society (Controlled Conditions): This deals with how developments in technology influence individuals and society. It includes studying methods of communicating and presenting information which are well suited to its purpose and audience. Pupils will also gain an awareness of legislation that relates to ICT.

Unit 2 - ICT and Organisations: This unit is coursework-based that deals with the structure of organisations and how ICT is used. Pupils will research how information is collected, communicated and presented by organisations as well as understanding the impact ICT has on organisations. Currently, as part of this unit, we go on a day trip to Blackpool Pleasure Beach to see how ICT has impacted on this particular business.

Unit 3 - Data Handling: Again coursework-based, skills involved in this unit include finding, selecting, manipulating and presenting data using relational database facilities. Pupils will understand the use of databases in organisations and create a system for a real client to solve a real set of problems.

A2 Units

Unit 8 - Project Management: This is a coursework-based unit where pupils will work as part of a team and develop knowledge, skills and understanding of ICT to complete a project. This includes use of project management tools such as Critical Path Analysis. They will also show their capacity to provide ICT support to others.

Unit 10 - Advanced Spreadsheet Design (Controlled Conditions): This unit will test the pupils' skills in Excel to design and implement a spreadsheet system to meet the needs of a real client.

Unit 12 - Publishing: This is a coursework-based unit which explores the uses and capabilities of desktop publishing, word processing and computer art packages. Pupils will learn about appropriate hardware and software needed for different applications of DTP. They will design and produce a document to meet the needs of a real client.

Entry Requirements

This course is challenging both in terms of its concepts and technical skills. Students who choose this course should have at least a grade B at GCSE ICT or Computer Science. Students studying the DiDA qualification should have a Credit, Merit or Distinction.


Mr S Doran
Head of ICT

February 2011

Website created by Rippleffect