ICT

Studying ICT

The aim of the ICT Department is to equip Lower School pupils with the skills they need in order to be confident and competent users of ICT. The course encourages them to be selective in their use of ICT and to justify their choices as they develop products on the computers. Scanners, digital cameras and camcorders are available to enhance work where appropriate. There is a focus on scenario-based learning which forces pupils to think about their use of ICT and to apply the required skill needed to solve a specific task. This ability to choose, apply and justify will make them autonomous users of ICT, ready for the computer-rich world in which we live.

ICT in First Year

First Year pupils are introduced to the network and taught how to use the facilities effectively. They learn how to organise, name, move and delete files and folders in a way that keeps their user area structured. The skills that are developed in First Year include Word Processing, Desktop Publishing, Spreadsheets and Presentation. These skills form the core of the ICT work they will be asked to do across the other subjects that they will study.

ICT in Second Year

In Second Year, pupils build upon their core skills by learning more advanced features of the different software packages. Along with this they are introduced to more discrete skills like web design, computer graphics and databases. Pupils are encouraged to continue learning beyond the classroom and to apply their learnt skills across the curriculum. This helps to consolidate their skills and embed ICT into their everyday life at school.

ICT in Third Year

This year develops the skills of all pupils, but is geared towards preparing for the GCSE in ICT. Topics, teaching and learning have much closer links with the GCSE course than other years. We look at hardware, software, the impact of ICT on society, computer animation and control technology. The skills learnt in previous years are expected to be demonstrated by the pupils in the way they present their finished work for marking.

ICT Facilities and Clubs

The computer rooms are open at various times during the day to allow pupils to use the facilities. The ICT Department also runs a Video Club which teaches pupils about video editing including stop-frame animation and photo editing. Animation Club teaches pupils to use computer animation software such as Adobe Flash as well as using modelling clay and stop-frame animation software. A new club to be offered from September 2010 will be the Game Makers Club. This will use a piece of software to create computer games and teach the pupils how to generate their own computer games.

2010 UK Schools Computer Animation Competition

2010 is the first time Stockport Grammar School has entered the annual UK Schools Computer Animation Competition, organised by Manchester University, and both the ICT department and pupils are delighted to have their hard work recognised in this way.

Pupils worked diligently to develop a range of animations inspired by material from their taught curriculum, and after finally submitting six to the annual competition, our winners and their teachers were invited to attend the Animation10 Awards Festival and Computer Science Day in July.

All six animations are available for preview including the winning 'group' entry, 'Andy's Electrostatics'.

Fourth Year

• Andy's Electrostatics, designed and created by Alex Longson, Daniel Paigge, Matthew Holgate and Milan Lakhani.
• Daedalus and Icarus, designed and created by Alexander Longson and Chris Holleworth.

Third Year

• A Global Nightmare, designed and created by Charlie Smith and Dan Thorburn.
• Anti-Stereotypical Fairytale, designed and created by Joseph Brook and Xavier Warburton.

First Year

• Fred Learns that 5 a Day is a Better Way, designed and created by Alfie Eastwick.
• Save the World, designed and created by Oliver Nolan.