The Business and ICT faculty has six fully equipped computer suites comprising of a minimum of 20 brand new computers. Each room also benefits from a fully integrated interactive whiteboard, networked printing, and air-conditioning. The faculty also has a dedicated ‘A’ level ICT suite and 2 dedicated Business Studies suites. Other facilities include High Definition Video Camera, Scanners, Colour Printing, Flip Video and many other new and innovative technologies.
ICT
Our ICT department aims for students at Maltings Academy to gain valuable practical and transferable skills in a variety of software packages through engaging, challenging and innovative ICT lessons.
At Key Stage 3 students complete units of work that focus on producing a solution to a real life scenario and the planning and evaluation of that solution. The work in class is consolidated with the very popular ICT club which is available to all year groups at lunchtime to allow the same pattern of independently identifying a problem and using their own ICT skills to produce a solution. As the years progress the problems become more complex and involve the students using a combination of software to get their final piece.
By Key Stage 4 it is expected that students will be able to complete OCR Nationals Level 2 in ICT. All students are expected to achieve the First Award (1 GCSE Equivalent) with up to 2 further GCSEs offered for our higher ability students. The First Award covers two main projects of study; Unit 1 – ICT for Business, where students learn about the different elements of ICT that is expected within an everyday business, and Unit 21 – Creating Web Graphics, where the students learn to research current web graphics and evaluate their design and then incorporate their findings into creating their own graphics for use of the World Wide Web. It is hoped that this will give them a good basis to progress to further education or into the workplace.
Key Stage 5 in ICT is a very popular option with students studying single award Applied ICT. This course has been designed to help students who wish to go on to higher education courses or employment where an understanding of the various applications of ICT will be a valuable asset.
It is the intention of the department to provide active lessons whereby students not only learn different computer skills, but are also made aware of how these skills can be used in other subjects and learning areas throughout the school.
Business Studies
Business studies is a very popular option in the school. We teach OCR Nationals business level 2 which is the equivalent of two GCSEs grade A*-C. This gives students the opportunity to explore the world of business in a practical way – and we feel that the more applied aspect of business equips our students better for the world of work.
At KS5 we offer business OCR level 3 which is a practical course focusing on the aspects of business which students find the most interesting. This is a very popular course in the sixth form and has been successful for students continuing on to university. We also offer GCE AS/A2 Edexcel Economics which looks at all aspects of the world of business and how it impacts on society. This course is very popular and one which the students really enjoy.
EELs
The ICT department runs a very popular EEL based around creating computer games and web design. This year we have had over 80 students subscribe to the course and all have had a very positive experience full of enjoyment of learning new ICT skills.
We are planning on running a number of further EELs within the next year, these include Animation and Digital Video and Sound Editing.
Extra Curricular Activities
The faculty has multiple activities that are available to the students, these include ECDL (European Computer Driving License) and ICT club at lunchtimes and after school.
Gifted and Talented
The department is very active in catering for our gifted and talented students within the school, with regular events such as Maths and ICT extension days, Natwest Tender Day, Target 2.0, Young Enterprise, Business Challenge Day, Marketing and Promotion Challenges plus many more.