I.C.T.

  • Can you think of one workplace that will not use ICT in some way?
  • Do you enjoy learning new skills and being creative?
  • How important is ICT to your life? 
  • What would life be like without the internet, your xbox or PS3, your mobile phone and MP3 player?

Maybe ICT is for you…

The way ahead at 14

ICT is everywhere.  The increasing use of technology in all aspects of society makes confident, creative and productive use of ICT an essential skill for life.  Use of ICT is moving at such a fast pace that people without relevant skills are being left behind.  Every industry will use ICT in some capacity and employers are looking for highly trained young professionals who have relevant ICT skills.  If you fancy yourself as an entrepreneur, then ICT is one of the most lucrative sectors to be involved in, just check out the rich list display in the ICT corridor for proof!

ICT at Macmillan Academy is a 100% practical course in years 10 and 11.  There are no examinations.  Whilst completing your portfolio you will develop a range of ICT skills from media based activities like web design, through to more technical based units such as spreadsheets.  If you decide to pick ICT in Key Stage 4, there are two options.

Single Option
If you choose ICT in one option block (single) you would expect to obtain the National Award in ICT which is equivalent to 2 GCSEs.  For this option, you will have 2 periods a week for one year and 3 periods a week for the other.

In Year 10, you will study ‘Webpage creation’.  You will be expected to design and develop your own website using industry standard software.  In Year 11, you will complete two half units titled ‘Creating video’ and ‘Creating sound using ICT’. 

I am really glad I chose ICT, the staff are really helpful and the work I am doing in Year 10 is really interesting!

Double Option
If you choose ICT in two option blocks (double) you would expect to obtain the National Certificate in ICT which is equivalent to 4 GCSEs.  You will have 5 lessons per week in both years 10 and 11.

In picking this option, you will complete the following units:

  • Webpage creation
  • Creating sound using ICT
  • Creating video
  • Design and use multimedia products
  • Spreadsheets – design and use
  • Desktop publishing

Directions at 16

There are two courses available to you at Post 16; A Level Computing and GCE Applied ICT.  Computing covers the more theoretical side of the subject and offers you the chance to undertake a major project of computer programming.  Applied ICT concentrates on improving your understanding, knowledge and practical skills in this broad subject.  For more information on post 16 courses, please refer to the Post-16 prospectus.

Routes after Post 16

ICT is an incredibly broad subject and this is reflected in the sheer number of different University courses available.  Highly trained professionals in the ICT sector are in demand more than ever and most Universities are receiving large amounts of funding to develop their state of the art ICT facilities.  ICT is such an important part of our life that trained experts will be found in almost all career paths from television, film, advertising, radio, publishing, games authoring, software development, web design and many more

Please contact Mr A King for further information