ICT | St Ciaran's College

- Departments - ICT

School Prospectus >

Members of Department

Miss A. St. George (Head of Department)

Mrs M. Donnelly

Miss R. Kennedy

Mr A. Lennon

Mr B. Flannigan (Technician)

Key Stage 3

Key Stage 4

Key Stage 5

Enrichment Activities

Video coming soon...

KS3

Key Stage 3

All students in Year 8, 9 and 10 have timetabled ICT classes delivered by ICT staff. Topics covered include:

Year 8

Digital Literacy

Block Programming – Scratch

Creative Media Design – Adobe Express

Metaverse Design – Minecraft

CyberSecurity

Year 9

Digital Literacy

Movie Creation – Moviemaker

Data Manipulation – Microsoft Excel

Data Manipulation – Microsoft Access

A.I.

Year 10

Digital Literacy

Text Programming – C# with Visual Studio

Image Manipulation – Photoshop

Website Development – HTML

A.I.

Throughout the year all KS3 pupils will have the opportunity to take part in activities for:

Computational Thinking – Bebras Challenge
Activity Based Coding – Hour of Code
Internet Safety – Safer Internet Day

KS4

Key Stage 4

Choose one of the courses offered for GCSE.

Digital Technology (Multimedia)

Introduction

This subject was previously called GCSE ICT. The CCEA GCSE Digital Technology specification is unique in the UK. Students who choose Route A: Multimedia in this subject will achieve the qualification of GCSE Digital Technology (Multimedia).

Through studying this subject students will acquire and apply knowledge and understanding of digital technology in a variety of contexts. They will develop creative and practical digital technology skills, using a range of generic software such as MS Office and web design. Students will explore the legal, social, economic, ethical and environmental impact of digital technology.

Content and Assessment

Unit 1: Digital Technology - 30% exam (this unit can be completed at the end of Year 11)
Unit 2: Digital Authoring Concepts - 40% exam
Unit 3: Digital Authoring Practice - 30% Controlled Assessment (students will design, develop and test a website and a database)

Skills Developed

This qualification gives students opportunities to develop transferable skills for further study, in the workplace and for life. These include computational thinking, problem-solving and creativity. Students also develop skills that will help them to effectively manage information, work independently and work with others.

Career Pathways

Most occupations require ICT and digital technology skills.

Website Design
Interactive Multimedia Design
Teaching
Network Administration
Systems Analyst / Data Science
Computer Games Developers
ICT Support

For more information visit https://ccea.org.uk/key-stage-4/gcse/subjects/gcse-digital-technology-2017

Digital Technology (Programming)

Introduction

The CCEA GCSE Digital Technology specification is unique in the UK. Students who choose Route B: Programming in this subject will achieve the qualification of GCSE Digital Technology (Programming).

Through studying this subject students will acquire and apply knowledge and understanding of digital technology in a variety of contexts. They will develop creative and practical digital technology skills in an object-oriented environment. Students will explore the legal, social, economic, ethical and environmental impact of digital technology.

Content and Assessment

Unit 1: Digital Technology - 30% exam (this unit can be completed at the end of Year 11)
Unit 4: Digital Development Concepts - 40% exam
Unit 5: Digital Development Practice - 30% Controlled Assessment (students will design, develop and test a coded digital system using a programming language such as Python or C#)

Skills Developed

This qualification gives students opportunities to develop transferable skills for further study, in the workplace and for life. These include computational thinking, problem-solving and creativity. Students also develop skills that will help them to effectively manage information, work independently and work with others. The primary focus of this qualification is to develop programming and coding skills.

Career Pathways

Digital Technology (Programming) is useful for any Computer Science career.

Teaching
Computer Games
Software Development
Programming

For more information visit https://ccea.org.uk/key-stage-4/gcse/subjects/gcse-digital-technology-2017

OCN IT Applications

Introduction

The OCN NI Level 2 Certificate in Information Technology Applications is designed to provide learners with the IT skills required to function successfully in the work and wider environment.

It is a vocational qualification which is the equivalent to a grade C at GCSE.

Content and Assessment

This course is 100% coursework - there are no exams.

Units studied are:

Email Software Skills
Spreadsheet Software
Word Processing Software
Using the Internet v

Skills Developed

This qualification gives students opportunities to develop transferable skills for life and in the workplace. These include effectively managing information, working independently and with others, problem-solving and creativity.

Career Pathways

Most occupations require IT skills.

Administration and Office Work
Web Communications
Digital Communications
IT Support
Database Administration
Network Administration

For more information visit https://www.ocnni.org.uk/qualifications/ocn-ni-level-2-certificate-in-information-technology-applications

OS Computer Aided Design & Digital Imaging

Computer Aided Design introduces learners to basic skills in the use of an

industry standard Computer Aided Design (CAD) drafting package.

Digital Imaging will develop skills in creating digital images using a variety of applications.

Year 11

Students will carry out practical CAD activities and will be assessed on the quality of their demonstrated skills and final drawing, including the accuracy of lines joining at corners and the components drawn.

Year 12

Students will edit photographs and produce digital designs for print, screen and the internet. These are industry standard skills in photography and digital design.

Skills Developed

Consideration of health and safety issues in CAD and Digital Imaging
Consideration of career opportunities in CAD and digital Imaging
Routine drafting techniques in CAD
Creating component drawings in CAD
Consideration of environmental issues in CAD and Digital Imaging
Explore Photographic Techniques
Present a Photography Project

Career Pathways

Design technician, Architectural technician, Graphic designer, Product designer, Engineering or industrial designer, Building technician, Architecture, Mechanical drafting, Civil construction, Fashion Design, Interior and Exterior Design, Game Design, Advertising art director, Film/video editor, Magazine features editor, Medical illustrator, Photographer, Press photographer and Television camera operator.

KS5

Key Stage 5

Choose one of the courses offered for Post-16.

The GCE Software Systems Development course is equivalent to 1 A Level (over 2 years).

CCEA Software Systems Development

The GCE Software Systems Development course is equivalent to 1 A Level (over 2 years).

Aim:

This course is designed to equip students for higher level study within the software development industry. This course is an applied qualification and helps students to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills required to work in software development.

Entry Requirements

It is recommended that students have a grade A at GCSE Digital Technology or GCSE Mathematics to study Software Systems Development.

Content & Assessment:

Students are required to undertake 2 modules over each year.

Year 13

AS1: Introduction to Object Oriented Development (external written examination paper of 2 hours). This unit is 50% of AS and 20% of the A-Level.
AS2: Event Driven Programming (internally assessed through a portfolio of work which is a programming project). This unit is 50% of AS and 20% of the A-Level.

Year 14

A2 1: Systems Approaches and Databases Concepts (external written examination paper of 2 hours with questions based on a pre-release case study). This unit is 30% of the A-Level.
A2 2: Implementing Solutions (internally assessed with a pre-release case study and a portfolio of work which is a programming project). This unit is 30% of the A-Level.

Skills Developed

A genuine interest in software systems development with a focus on programming; an understanding of systems approaches and modeling techniques; software development skills that will prepare students for work in today’s software industry; development of a software project using a complete software development process; apply skills to relevant work-related scenarios; work with others in group settings and research, develop and present findings in a variety of formats.

Career Opportunities

Web Developer/Designer; Computer Programmer; Database Administrator; Software Developer; Quality Assurance or Test Engineer; Business Analyst; Project Manager; Scrum Master; Product Manager; Software Designer; No or Low-Code Developer; Cyber Security Analyst; Game Developer; Information Systems Manager; IT consultant; Multimedia Programmer.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in IT

The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Information Technology is designed for those who are interested in studying the creation of IT systems to manage and share information with a view to progressing to higher education and ultimately to employment in the IT sector.

The qualification is the equivalent to one A Level.

Content & Assessment

Year 13

Creating Systems to Manage Information (mandatory unit, externally assessed practical exam)
Using Social Media in Business (mandatory unit, internally assessed)

Year 14

Information Technology Systems (mandatory unit, externally assessed written exam)
Data Modelling (optional unit, internally assessed)

Final grades are awarded as Distinction*, Distinction, Merit and Pass.

Skills Developed

cognitive and problem-solving skills: use critical thinking, approach non-routine problems, applying expert and creative solutions, use systems and technology
intrapersonal skills: communicating, working collaboratively, negotiating, influencing, self-presentation
interpersonal skills: self-management, adaptability and resilience, self-monitoring and development.
transferable skills: the ability to learn independently, research actively and methodically and give presentations

Careers Opportunities

Studying IT opens the way to many career opportunities including network management, website design, graphic design, software engineering, technical support, telecommunications, systems analysis, database management, programming, systems development, teaching and project management.

Enrichment

Enrichment Activities

Enrichment activities are provided regularly to all pupils in the IT department. Some of these include:

Students also have the opportunity to become a Be Strong Online Ambassador. Be Strong Online is a digital resilience programme for young people from the Diana Award Anti-Bullying Campaign and Vodafone. The programme is completely peer-led and empowers young people to be positive online role models to their peers and develop skills in areas such as leadership, teamwork, creativity, organisation, kindness, empathy, technology and public speaking.
Visiting speakers from IT organisations and from the universities e.g. BringITon, Deloitte, Kainos, UU Games Design Visiting Lecture.
Field visits to IT organisations e.g. AllState.
Hour of Code.
Sentinus Workshops.
UK Bebras Computational Challenge.
eSafety activities e.g. the PSNI deliver talks to all students from every year group on how to be safe online and the ICT department delivers tasks to coincide with Safer Internet Day each year.
All pupils at KS3 get the opportunity to express their views on ICT by completing a Pupil Voice survey.