Information Technology
Meadows School has very good information and communication technology (ICT) resources. For our 42 pupils we provide:
- 27 standalone PCs
- 20 laptops
- a cable and a wireless network
- interactive whiteboards in every classroom, including food technology, art and science
- networked IT systems to allow communication between staff throughout the school and pupil access to the Internet whenever needed to enhance their learning experience.
Students can access school network from home
We are currently in the process of allowing students to interact with the school learning resources from home. This will be part of our distance learning programme for pupils temporarily unable to attend school, and also meet the requirements of the 24 hour curriculum.
In technical terms this requires moving towards an RM CC4 network, using Fronter as a learning platform. As part of our website development, this will allow pupils to interact with the school learning resources from home, and to access and return homework via a secure site.
Regular review of ICT resources
There is a regular review concerning how the school can adapt to new technology. Sometimes this is driven by curriculum initiatives or developments in the examination process. Our community links with a local grammar school have also been useful in this respect and we are currently working to establish an ICT link with a school in Kenya.
The development of ICT within the school is the responsibility of the ICT Co-ordinator but all staff incorporate planning within their curriculum area to underpin this process. At Key Stage 3 students follow the core curriculum, and at Key Stage 4 they also use the Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations (OCR) syllabus to work towards GCSE examinations, or develop portfolios of Unit Awards based on the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) materials.
ICT thoughout the school
All subjects have some ICT related work associated with them and whiteboards are often used in the classrooms, or one of the ICT rooms to progress the work. There is a strong link with art, where graphics are produced in the art room and progressed in the ICT Suite and animations have featured in this process. Each week a group of pupils go to the local grammar school, where links have been established, to view their ICT work, and participate in activities.
The pupils at Meadows arrive with a variety of ICT knowledge and tailor our teaching to the needs of individual pupils in order to to develop skills in a supportive context and to celebrate success in this subject
Pupils’ improved confidence, social awareness and communication skills enable them to rise to the challenge and so they learn at a good rate - Ofsted Education Report 2008.
