At Grove House we intend that our pupils will........

develop their competence and independence in using functional ICT so that in different contexts they are able to engage and communicate safely and successfully with others. 

ICT is studied throughout Key Stages 2, 3, 4 and 5. In KS2 and KS3 there is 1 lesson each week and in KS4 and KS5 there are 2 ICT lessons each week.

ICT is an accredited subject and students study towards WJEC Award for IT Users Entry Level 1, 2 or 3 or towards Level 1 moving onto Functional Skills Level 1 and 2.  Some students study OCR Life and Living Skills units for their accreditation.

The ICT curriculum from KS2 onwards is progressive and actively teaches students to build a skill set that will prepare them for both accreditations and the future, providing them with essential life skills. The curriculum also includes certain parts of the Computer Science curriculum, particularly areas of digital literacy and information technology.

Our curriculum is adapted to suit each individual student and enable them to progress through the Key Stages at a level suitable for them. The curriculum builds from KS2 through to KS5 allowing students to expand and refine existing skills and learn new ones in stages appropriate to each individual. It also extends students’ understanding, helping them develop the ability to adapt their skills and knowledge for different contexts.

Students have the opportunity to develop their language skills, and understand how to use ICT as a tool to use to help them in learning and real life. Where appropriate, topics for projects are taken from across the wider school curriculum to enhance and reinforce their learning and allow students to transfer their skills and knowledge in order to process and present information using ICT across the curriculum. 

In KS4, students study Media, and this allows students to explore the more creative areas of ICT, and also learning the theory of advertising and film genre by analysing the purpose, audience, and common conventions. They work towards the WJEC Entry Pathways Entry Level 2/3 Creative, Media and Performance Arts accreditation.

ICT is further embedded in KS5 where students continue to build on previous skills and knowledge and may work towards Functional Skills in ICT at Level 1 and/or Level 2. ICT is used across the curriculum in KS5 in Enterprise, Employability and Life and Living.