ICT Department The school is fortunate to be well stocked with modern PC computer hardware and software. The whole school network connects all using the latest fibre-optic technology. There are 3 dedicated computer network rooms plus a number of network stations situated in the school library and most subject areas throughout the school. There are also a number of separate computers that are used in specialist areas. The main network rooms have an interactive white board. Pupils have access to over 150 computers on the school network, both during and outside their normal lessons. All network computers are connected to the Internet. The schools network is constantly being maintained and upgraded in order to keep up with the changing world of ICT. Computers have widespread use in the world of work, and modern courses at school make increasing use of micro technology for information and as a tool for learning across the whole curriculum. Throughout Years 7 - 9 our pupils are provided with a 1 hour lesson per week dedicated to IT which are taught by specialist staff. The topics covered include computer awareness and use of the networks; practice with various application programs, such as word processing, data handling, computer graphics, spreadsheets, desk-top publishing (DTP) and computer aided design (CAD); plus computer programming and the control of external devices. Information retrieval from the Internet and multimedia CD-ROM together with its presentation forms a significant part of any project work in IT and also in many other subjects on the curriculum. In years 10 and 11 all pupils take a core lesson in ICT 1 hour a week. There are a number of pupils who have taken ICT as an option. The courses followed are GNVQ full award and GCSE ICT. ICT Department Structure Head of Department: Miss L. Foster Teachers: Mr. A. Urwin   Mr. D. Sharples   Mr. K. Clark   Mr. P. Oliver Network Manager: Mr. D. Gott ICT Technician: Mr. P. Chrichard