ICT / Digital Technology

Teaching Staff:
Mr A.McConnell (Head of Department)
Mrs L.Murphy
Mr N.Kerr
Mrs C.Houston
Mr L.Lowry
Mr D.Hamil
Ms L.Mitchell

Technicians:
Mr N Donnelly & Miss O.Henry

ICT is part of our daily lives at home, school and in the world of work. Today, students arrive from primary school with an excellent understanding of computer use and can expect to develop these skills during their time at St Patrick’s College. 

St Patricks College offer some excellent facilities and resources;

• 3 stand-alone ICT classrooms
• 8 ICT resource rooms
• A suite of Macs in Music and Art
• A suite of laptops for use by Post 16 students
• 4 mobile laptop trolleys
• 100 iPads which can be booked by departments
• Every classroom has an interactive whiteboard

Pupils will also be given the opportunity to experience a range of operating systems including Linux, Windows, Mac OS and iOS. E-Learning is also being introduced through the use of G Suite e.g. Google Drive and Google Classroom. These allow pupils to work collaboratively and independently whilst also developing important ICT skills.

The ICT department are proud to have Digital Leaders who are ambassadors for the subject. These are pupils who have a great interest and talent in all things digital. They assist pupils and teachers with ICT issues and run the successful Computing Club. During this they utilise Robotics kits, MicroBits, Raspberry Pi kits and Movie Editing Software. These enhance pupil’s problem solving and logical thinking skills in a fun and enjoyable way.

The department is committed to developing the ICT skills of all the students to enable them to participate in a rapidly changing world. Pupils use ICT tools to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information. Increased capability in the use of ICT promotes initiative and independent learning. Pupils are able to make informed judgements about when and where to use ICT to best effect.

Key Stage 3

ICT is delivered to all year groups in KS3. Throughout KS3 pupils will learn the following:

• Spreadsheets
• Databases
• Basic programming theory
• Programming languages
• Website development
• Gaming
• Basic word processing skills
• Cybercrime and security
• Internet safety & the appropriate use of social
  media

Key Stage 4

Two specifications are being delivered at GCSE within the College.

CCEA Digital Technology is a 3-unit course delivered over 2 years. The College has opted for the Multimedia route which is outlined below: 

Content Assessment Weighting

Compulsory Unit

Unit 1:

Digital Technology External written exam

1 hour 30%

Multimedia Units

Unit 2:

Digital Authoring Concepts External written exam

1 hour 30mins 40%

Unit 3:

Digital Authoring Practice Controlled Assessment 30%

Additionally, OCN NI Level 2 Certificate in IT Applications is 

also delivered. Pupils complete 5 units of work over a 

2-year period to total 15 or more credits. 

Examples of the units studied include Word Processing,

Spreadsheet Software, Database Design and 

IT User Fundamentals.

Key Stage 5

The College have been delivering CCEA’s A Level Digital Technology over the last number of years. This course is taught over 2 years with the following topics being covered. 

Content Assessment Weighting

AS 1: Approaches to Systems Development

External written exam

1 hour 30mins 50% of AS

20% of A Level

AS 2: Fundamentals of Digital Technology External written exam

1 hour 30mins 50% of AS

20% of A Level

A2 1: Information Systems External written exam

2 hours 30mins

40% of A Level

A2 2: Application Development (Case Study) Internal Assessment

Students compile a portfolio showing evidence of the analysis, design, development, testing and evaluation of an application for a specified end user. 20% of A Level

Additionally, the College has this year began offering BTEC Level 3 in IT. Pupils study 4 units over the 2-year period which include areas such as: Creating Information Systems, Using Social Media in Business, IT Systems and Data Modelling.

For those who want to gain ICT skills discretely we offer an extra-curricular option of OCN IT which allows pupils to gain extra UCAS points without the demand of a full A Level. This allows pupils to gain an understanding of word processing skills, spreadsheets and presentation skills all of which will be beneficial in either university or career pathway.