The teaching of Information and Communications Technology at Orwell Park is designed to be a positive, enjoyable learning experience for children of all ages. The children are asked to be creative and inventive in the development of their deductive and problem-solving skills, and to achieve this they are presented with stimulating exercises, projects and programs which allow them to implement and record their decisions.

ICT lessons are planned to provide each child with the maximum amount of hands-on experience. The work is practical with note-taking kept to a minimum. The syllabus is designed to reflect the technological advances in society where computers are used for database management and for the storage and retrieval of information of a local and world-wide nature. Children are given the opportunity to explore the multiple uses of computers to gain familiarity with the equipment, networks, peripherals, terminology, program structures, computer languages, software and applications.

We are fortunate in having two purpose-built, well-equipped computer rooms which are well used in both academic and extracurricular time. We do however appreciate that ICT is very much a core skill with applicability across the entire breadth of the curriculum, and its use is encouraged throughout the school rather than in ICT lessons alone. A recent programme of introducing interactive whiteboards into every classroom has underlined the school’s commitment to this.

Robin Beck