ICT Curriculum (Information Communication Technology)

 All children from Year 1 to Year 6 have a dedicated ICT lesson at least once a week, where they learn specific ICT skills.  The syllabus is structured around the National Curriculum, so that all areas of ICT from communicating and evaluating information to experimenting with control technology are incorporated.  During their time at Winchester House children learn not only how to use the IT equipment itself, but also how its use can enhance their work in other areas of the curriculum, particularly during Years 7 and 8, where children work on extended computer-based Humanities projects. 

Information

ICT gives children the opportunity to access ever-increasing amounts of information online and in CD ROMS.  It is important that they learn how to search effectively for particular data, and how to evaluate online information objectively.  These are invaluable skills for independent learning.   

It is also highly important that children get to produce their own 'information'.  Children are introduced to the creative potential of ICT.  They are encouraged to develop an awareness of audience, structured planning processes, and to learn through experimentation.  During their time at school they have the opportunity to produce a range of presentations and, from January, to direct and edit their own short films.  This is a very rewarding experience.  Shy children benefit greatly from the opportunity to take on particular roles of director or producer, and all benefit from the opportunity to develop their organisational, creative and technical skills. 

We also work with spreadsheets, databases, and control technology, both evaluatively and productively.  For example, we will discuss and examine the structure, purpose and set up of a database, and children will then create their own.  All children from Year 3 up are following a touch-typing course.

As well as having the opportunity to publish their work online, children compile a printed portfolio of their ICT work, which grows as they progress through the school. 

Communication

The 'C' in ICT is really the most exciting area.  IT is a tool for children to express, share and refine their ideas.  It allows them to work collaboratively, whether they are planning a group presentation in the ICT suite, or writing an interactive story online with children from a different class, year group or school.  It opens the door to long-distance projects that can only be undertaken using ICT.  There is enormous potential for children to broaden their understanding in this way.  The school is currently signed up to Think.com, an online learning environment created by Oracle.  This is a closed site, available only to schools (worldwide), which gives children the opportunity to set up and participate in debates, brainstorms and question/answer sections, as well as to publish their work.  Throughout the year, different classes will be taking part in specific online projects.  Currently Year 7 are creating and developing characters online, and will be weaving interactive stories around them.  The computer club are using it to showcase some of their work. 

Technology

We are lucky enough to have a dedicated ICT suite with twenty networked computers and broadband Internet access.  Consequently, children learn how to manage their work over a network.  They also have access to their own email account from Year 3, and all year groups have monitored access to the Internet for research purposes.  Once they have learnt the necessary skills, they are encouraged to carry out independent research to support curriculum projects.  There are also a large number of stand-alone computers through out the school, including in the two boarding houses.  ICT is used to strengthen and extend all curriculum subjects, particularly Science and the Humanities. 

Children learn that there are many ways to carry out a task.  They are encouraged to practise using a wide range of strategies, and then to choose those that are most appropriate to their way of working.  Another positive aspect of ICT is that children who struggle in a traditional classroom setting often perform considerably better in ICT, and develop much greater confidence in themselves as a result. 

Children practising touch typing