I.C.T & DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY
ICT CURRICULUM AT ST. MARY'S BROLLAGH
Overview - Teacher Mr Kevin Gallagher
St Mary’s ICT department has recently been upgraded and refurbished to match the highest standards of any school in Northern Ireland and recent additions to the ICT department include equipment such as Data projectors, Interactive white boards, Scanners, Broadband Internet access on all work stations, Digital Cameras, Web cams and the latest educational software.
St Marys at present has two Computer suites with high specification computers in each suite all networked with broad band Internet access and strict security filters in place, this now means that students will always have a computer to themselves.
Both of the ICT suites are available to local community organisations and primary schools and are also available for after school classes and coursework completion.
St Marys at present has two Computer suites with high specification computers in each suite all networked with broad band Internet access and strict security filters in place, this now means that students will always have a computer to themselves.
Both of the ICT suites are available to local community organisations and primary schools and are also available for after school classes and coursework completion.
KS3 I.C.T
In years 8, 9 and 10 students are timetabled for 2 discrete classes of I.C.T each week. All subject teachers are now encouraged to incorporate the use of I.C.T into the delivery of their subject area. We are very lucky to have a second I.C.T suite recently refurbished thanks to the great work and fundraising by the Parents Action Group which allows teachers to book the suite and use the facilities to deliver UICT in their subject area.
Using Information and Communications Technology (UICT) provides powerful tools and contexts to support meaningful learning. It has the potential to transform and enrich pupils’ learning experiences and environments across the curriculum. To help develop skills in researching, handling and communicating information children should have opportunities, using ICT, to engage in genuine research and purposeful tasks set in meaningful contexts. They should be encouraged to re-work information, present and exchange their ideas and translate their thinking into creative products and productions which show an awareness of audience and purpose.
Across the curriculum, at a level appropriate to their ability, pupils should be enabled to develop skills to:
Explore Pupils should be enabled to:
Using Information and Communications Technology (UICT) provides powerful tools and contexts to support meaningful learning. It has the potential to transform and enrich pupils’ learning experiences and environments across the curriculum. To help develop skills in researching, handling and communicating information children should have opportunities, using ICT, to engage in genuine research and purposeful tasks set in meaningful contexts. They should be encouraged to re-work information, present and exchange their ideas and translate their thinking into creative products and productions which show an awareness of audience and purpose.
Across the curriculum, at a level appropriate to their ability, pupils should be enabled to develop skills to:
Explore Pupils should be enabled to:
- access and manage data and information;
- research, select, process and interpret information;
- investigate, make predictions and solve problems through interaction with electronic tools;
- understand how to keep safe and display acceptable online behaviour.
- create, develop, present and publish ideas and information using a range of digital media;
- manipulate information and multimedia products using a range of assets.
- communicate using a range of contemporary methods and tools;
- share, collaborate, exchange and develop ideas digitally.
- talk about, review and make improvements to work, reflecting on the process and outcome;
- consider the sources and resources used;
- manage and present their stored work;
- showcase their learning across the curriculum.
G.C.S.E Digital Technology

Over the past 18 years St Mary's has enjoyed excellent results in GCSE ICT with almost 95% of students achieving Grades A* - C. Due to the ever changing developments in ICT St Mary's is now offering GCSE Digital Technology which has replaced ICT. Below ypu can see a breakdown of the course.
SPECIFICATION SUMMARY This specification aims to encourage students to:
• acquire and apply knowledge and understanding of digital technology in a range of contexts;
• acquire creative and technical digital technology skills and apply these in a range of contexts;
• develop and evaluate digital technology based solutions to solve problems;
• develop their understanding of current and emerging technologies and the social and commercial impact of these technologies;
• develop their understanding of the legal, social, economic, ethical and environmental impact of digital technology;
• recognise potential risks when using digital technology and develop safe, secure and responsible practice; and • develop the skills needed to work collaboratively.
BENEFITS TO STUDENTS The specification develops practical skills using a range of generic software or in an object-oriented environment. It provides a sound basis for further study in both GCE Digital Technology and GCE Software Systems Development. This specification builds on the learning experiences from Key Stage 3 as required for the statutory Northern Ireland Curriculum. It also offers opportunities for students to contribute to the aim and objectives of the Curriculum at Key Stage 4, and to continue to develop the Cross-Curricular Skills and the Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities. The extent of the development of these skills and capabilities will be dependent on the teaching and learning methodology used. Although not referred to separately as a statutory requirement at Key Stage 4 in the Northern Ireland Curriculum, Managing Information and Being Creative may also remain relevant to learning
SPECIFICATION SUMMARY This specification aims to encourage students to:
• acquire and apply knowledge and understanding of digital technology in a range of contexts;
• acquire creative and technical digital technology skills and apply these in a range of contexts;
• develop and evaluate digital technology based solutions to solve problems;
• develop their understanding of current and emerging technologies and the social and commercial impact of these technologies;
• develop their understanding of the legal, social, economic, ethical and environmental impact of digital technology;
• recognise potential risks when using digital technology and develop safe, secure and responsible practice; and • develop the skills needed to work collaboratively.
BENEFITS TO STUDENTS The specification develops practical skills using a range of generic software or in an object-oriented environment. It provides a sound basis for further study in both GCE Digital Technology and GCE Software Systems Development. This specification builds on the learning experiences from Key Stage 3 as required for the statutory Northern Ireland Curriculum. It also offers opportunities for students to contribute to the aim and objectives of the Curriculum at Key Stage 4, and to continue to develop the Cross-Curricular Skills and the Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities. The extent of the development of these skills and capabilities will be dependent on the teaching and learning methodology used. Although not referred to separately as a statutory requirement at Key Stage 4 in the Northern Ireland Curriculum, Managing Information and Being Creative may also remain relevant to learning