ICT and Business
ICT
The ICT Department provides courses for all year groups in school and provides a firm base of skills for students to use across the curriculum and in future life.
Key Stage 3
During KS3, students follow the National Strategy for ICT using the ICT Smart Skills Scheme of Work. All students have three lessons a fortnight in Years 7, 8 and 9. Students use the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access) and the Macromedia Suite (Dreamweaver, Flash and Fireworks), together with Adobe Photoshop and other subject-specific software to develop their technical skills. Work is based around projects and uses the Internet and email as appropriate. All students are advised on the use of the Internet and have access to their own personalised desktop and email. This facility is carefully monitored throughout the school day and uses the Oxfordshire Community Network (OCN) filtering and screening software.
Key Stage 4
At KS4, all students follow the OCR Short Course and Full Course in Information Technology. Students have one lesson a week, leading to external certification at the end of Year 11. Again, project work focuses students on the skills and techniques that are appropriate for other curriculum areas, Further and Higher Education.
Key Stage 5
The OCR Information Communication Technology course is followed at AS and A2. Both of these courses lead to external accreditation and are highly respected with regard to both Higher and Further Education and employment.
Business
The Business Studies Department offers courses that enable students of all abilities to develop economic and business awareness.
Key Stage 4
At KS4, students are able to follow GCSE Business Studies. This course looks at how small businesses are developed and are managed. The department also offers GCSE Business Communications, which looks at the importance of communication in business and the different ways in which businesses link with stakeholders.
Key Stage 5
At KS5, students can take advantage of AQA Business Studies at AS and A2 level.
The school also offers Young Enterprise as an extracurricular activity for Year 12 students. Young Enterprise allows students to set up and run their own company, providing students with a real life simulation of managing and running their own business.