Information Communication Technology has become an integral part of our everyday lives.

At Redwood Park we recognise the importance of developing skills involved when using computers and strive towards giving the pupils the knowledge, experience and confidence to use up-to-date technology across the curriculum.  Pupils from Years 7 to 11 have timetabled I.C.T lessons which cover a range of skills and software ranging from simple word processing to more complex packages.  Each pupil is provided safe and secure Internet access.

I.C.T is implemented across the whole curriculum; to meet the demands by other subjects the pupils have access to designated computer suites as well as laptops.  All classrooms have Interactive SMART Boards giving a whole new dimension to lessons.

Aims and Objectives

Our overarching aim is to enable pupils to use computers as a natural tool with which to produce high quality work or communicate with others in any suitable area in any subject and in the world outside of school.

Aims:

1. Develop, maintain and stimulate pupil’s curiosity, interest and enjoyment in ICT

2. Develop appropriate ICT skills, concepts, principles, methods and vocabulary both in the pupils and staff.

3. Show pupils the wide-ranging and flexible nature of the use of ICT.

4. Ensure progression in the acquisition of ICT skills.

5. Encourage a spirit of helpfulness amongst pupils and staff.

6. Enable all pupils to have equal access to ICT.

7. Allow pupils to develop transferable skills and informed opinions about their use of ICT and support these with reasoned arguments.

8. Encourage all subject teachers to see how ICT and their subject expertise fit together to enable the teaching of ICT as well as how ICT can support and enhance their own scheme of work.

9. Support all staff in their need to develop confidence and strategies in using ICT within their teaching, recognising that INSET and support for staff are vital if pupils are to progress in ICT capability.

10. Recognise that ICT is an essential part of the overall Development Plan of the school.

Objectives

1. Information Technology is primarily a tool to be used for communication, exploration and expression of ideas and facts; it is not an end in itself.

2. It includes a range of tools that should become increasingly natural for pupils to use in the course of producing high-quality work. The pupils are trained to become increasingly autonomous in selecting work to do on the computers and in the software they choose to use.

3. It is included in all stages of such work, from the preparation of worksheets and exercises, through research and investigation of a variety of sources, to the analysis, drafting and presentation of information.

4. Every pupil, regardless of sex or ability, is entitled to a curriculum that includes a full range of Information & Communication Technology.

5. As new technologies become available, their educational applicability will be assessed and, if there are benefits to be gained, ways will be sought to include these in pupils' experience. Hardware and software are regularly reviewed in order to assess their suitability for teaching of up-to-date skills.

6. All projects aim to maximise the quality of information handling that the pupils carry out and are designed to be as relevant to the children’s' own experience as possible. The presentation of ICT to pupils is 'needs' led so that they are genuinely motivated to gain ICT capability for themselves. As far as possible, skills are taught in a suitable context.

7. Teachers should encourage pupils to discuss and share ideas when appropriate. Pupils who discover or know a technique that is useful to the rest of the class are encouraged to show this to others. Peer tutoring is explicitly encouraged.

8. We make full use of the motivational benefits of ICT, in a number of ways. Firstly, the medium itself has an attraction for many pupils and often enhances the presentation of traditional material. Secondly, it removes the natural concern over presentation, of writing in particular, and allows the user to concentrate on the content of a piece of work. Thirdly, if the outcome is not as desired, it is a simple task to change it, with little work or disruption involved. Pupils are encouraged to see change and improvement as a positive process leading to a better product, rather than a negative one involving re-writing.

9. Wherever possible, work carried out using ICT should lead to either some form of hard copy or communication of information electronically.

10. Pupils should see all members of staff using ICT as a natural tool for communicating in different ways.

11. Pupils with learning difficulties are encouraged to use ICT to enhance their learning.

12. The ICT resources are used by all, therefore they need to be looked after by all. Any misbehaviour in the computer rooms will be dealt with in accordance with the school’s Behaviour policy.

13. The Head of ICT is available as timetable allows, supporting staff in their use of ICT with classes.

14. Pupils’ experience of ICT is planned and coordinated to ensure progression