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Maths and ICT                           

 

Maths and ICT Specialism Co-ordinator: Mr R Hylton

 

DECEMBER 2009:

Last year saw the launch of Robert Clack Computer Literacy class for parents. This was an exciting, fully funded, tutor lead venture attended by several parents.

 

As a result of this success, in addition to a Computer Literacy course a Level 1 Numeracy adult numeracy class has began. This is a recognised qualification that can be used to develop and evidence every day numeracy skills and can be done as a precursor to a Maths GCSE. It is a very flexible tutor lead course which will be completed in sessions. Classes take place after school once a week at Robert Clack.

For more information on either course please contact Mr Hylton via the school office.

 

Essex University Trip

This month a handful of Year 12 BTEC ICT pupils visited The University of Essex in Colchester. This was an excellent opportunity for pupils to get a taste of ICT in Higher Education.

It was a very interesting day. The day began with a tour of the university and the Computer Science Department; pupils were given the opportunity to meet Rex the Robot, an interactive PhD robotic project; then attended a lecture about Natural Language where they were shown websites where  you can have conversations with the computer. The day was finished off with an exciting programming and hardware lab where everyone (including teachers) was set the challenge of controlling various cartoon characters and wiring a logic board to control the lights. An exciting time was had by all!

 

Jaguar Cars in Motion Maths Challenge

This year Robert Clack will be entering the ‘Jaguar Cars in Motion Maths Challenge. ‘

The Challenge involves students working together in small teams to build Formula One cars on the computer and then race them against each other in an effort to win a Grand Prix type race and become U.K. Champions. Students will have to design and customise their car for different real life Formula One tracks such as Silverstone and the Bahrain International Circuit.

This activity involves using a wide variety of basic mathematical skills ranging from the measurement of angles and scale to the use of percentages and higher level key skills.

For more information speak to Mr Saleem.

University of East London

Next term will see several Year 12 BTEC ICT Pupils completing a short course, called Compact, at the University of East London. This course aims to develop skills needed for university, such as developing active listening skills, preparing for higher education interviews and planning your career. In some cases completion of Compact can result in additional UCAS points. Not only will pupils be acquiring valuable skills, but it can also be credited towards their BTEC ICT coursework.

Finance Day

In the near future we are looking to provide a Finance Day for Year 8. The day will feature guest speakers and teach pupils useful life long skills such as budgeting, how to handle their money and the value of banks. This will be an exciting and constructive day.

 

 

INFORMATION ON OUR MATHS AND ICT SPECIALISM

As a result of our excellent achievement in Maths and ICT Robert Clack has received a specialism in Maths and Computing. Our vision is for Maths and ICT will be embedded within the curriculum. Pupils will not only benefit from enhanced classroom teaching, but should also develop a wider understanding of the application of the subjects in real life. The school aims to develop a culture of high achievement and a strong interest in the subjects at key stages 4 and 5. The specialism will not only benefit the pupils, but also the wider community. This will be achieved through extra curricular after school and lunch clubs.

 

Computer Literacy Courses

 

In January Robert Clack began delivering a Computer Literacy (CLaIT) course after school with members of staff. The course is being delivered by Mr Hylton and a voluntary sector training organisation called LifeLine. LifeLine have had vast amount of experience delivering IT courses and have a high success rate. CLaIT is a recognised OCR Level 1 course covering file management, word processing, spreadsheets and database management.

We are in the process of expanding this course and offering it to parents. This will enable the community to develop their ICT skills and become more efficient in the work place and their everyday lives. It is ideal for parents looking to acquire a qualification to evidence their skills and also for those looking to improve their confidence with computers.

 

Maths and ICT Pupil of the week

 

Each week the titles of Mathematician and ICT Pupil of The Week have been awarded to pupils in each year group. This has been done to raise the profile of the subjects and to celebrate the achievements of the pupils in a public setting.

 

Weather Station

 

In September a weather station was installed on the lower site. This provides real time data on current weather trends such as rainfall, temperature and air pressure. The data is in the process of being developed in to a format that will be available for staff and students, in all subjects, via the school intranet. This will have a direct impact on the Geography and ICT syllabi as data will be localised and more flexible.

 

My Maths 

 

The Maths department has recently joined an internet portal called MyMaths.co.uk. This is to extend pupil’s learning beyond the class room and encourage them to independently partake in maths activities and games. Pupils have been supplied with an individual logon which enables them to access homework and other resources in and out of lessons. My Maths offers personalised learning with exercises dedicated to targeting specific topics, specific levels and tests with automated marking and feedback.

 

Easy Link

 

Easy Link is a method used to enable pupils to access their user space via the internet. This enables pupils and staff to work from home, at times that suit them, rather than being limited to school opening hours and teacher availability.

 

Lunch Clubs

 

Every lunch time pupils are given access to ICT facilities, on both sites. This is excellent opportunity for pupils to complete additional class work and work on coursework. Every lunch time the rooms are filled with pupils working and using the computers to further their understanding in various subjects.

 

Support Staff

 

A new member of staff, with an ICT background, has recently joined the support staff to specifically assist with ICT lessons. Having a teaching assistant with an ICT specialism has proved to be an immense benefit to pupils as the support they receive is not limited by the teaching assistants subject knowledge.

 

 

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