Curriculum
ICT
ICT at Haybrook College
Intent:
The ICT curriculum at Haybrook College is designed to empower pupils from Year 7 to Year 11 with functional digital skills, equipping them for success in a technology-driven world. Our intent is to provide a comprehensive programme that delivers ICT through Digital Functional Skills. Through a tailored approach, we aim to foster a deep understanding of ICT concepts, promote digital literacy, and instil a lifelong passion for technology. Pupils will have the knowledge and confidence to use technology responsibly, ensuring their safety in the digital world and empowering them to be informed digital citizens.
At Key Stage 3, pupils receive dedicated Computer Science lessons for one term. The curriculum is divided into three strands: Digital Literacy, Computer Science, and Information Technology, providing a comprehensive foundation in ICT. Throughout the year, lessons cover a range of Computer Science and ICT topics, allowing pupils to develop their ICT skills, gain knowledge of computer components and networks, and hone their problem-solving and programming abilities. Pupils will be adept at creating digital products or services in Year 11.
By fostering independence in ICT usage, pupils will be well-equipped to apply their skills in their chosen KS4 subjects and future careers, contributing to their overall academic and vocational success. Our curriculum is designed to remain updated in line with changes to the national curriculum, ensuring that pupils receive relevant and up-to-date content that reflects the current technological landscape.
Implementation:
We recognize that pupils have diverse learning needs and interests. The curriculum offers them the opportunity to engage with ICT concepts in a way that resonates with them. This includes differentiated activities, project-based learning, and real-world applications. We use a multitude of dynamic teaching and learning strategies including mediated and blended learning to maximise pupil engagement. Beyond technical proficiency, our curriculum emphasises the development of essential skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and effective communication. Through collaborative projects and practical exercises, pupils acquire the ability to apply ICT knowledge in various contexts. Pupils are encouraged to apply their ICT skills across various subjects, fostering independence and proficiency in ICT, by the end of Year 9. This empowers them to effectively utilise ICT in their chosen KS4 subjects and future careers.
By choosing to deliver ICT skills through the Digital Functional Skills qualification, these units provide a robust framework for understanding the practical applications of ICT in the workplace. Pupils will engage in hands-on projects, simulations, and case studies to develop a comprehensive understanding of ICT within a professional setting. These modules are woven into the curriculum to ensure that pupils gain proficiency in fundamental digital skills that are essential for using devices and handling information in everyday life. We focus on tasks such as using office software, internet research, and digital communication, enabling pupils to navigate a technology-driven society by transacting safely and being responsible digital citizens. We believe in connecting classroom learning to the real world. Field trips, case studies, scenarios, projects, guest speakers, and industry partnerships are integrated to provide pupils with exposure to professional environments and inspire future career aspirations.
Impact:
The implementation of this ICT curriculum is designed to yield tangible and lasting benefits for our pupils: our learners will leave Haybrook, as responsible digital citizens, capable of leveraging technology effectively in their personal and professional lives. Pupils will leave with a solid foundation in Digital Functional Skills, preparing them for success in various vocational settings, and equipped with practical skills that employers value ensuring that they are workplace ready. The integration of Pearson Digital Functional Skills ensures that pupils develop a strong foundation in ICT, contributing to overall academic achievement and creating opportunities for future learning.
We aim to foster a love for ICT and a desire for continued exploration and growth in the field. Through this comprehensive approach, the ICT curriculum at Haybrook College endeavours to empower pupils with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to thrive in a digital age.