ICT and Business Studies Department

Welcome to the ICT and Business Studies Department

In years 7 and 8 students receive 1 fifty minute lesson per week. They are taught in their form groups which are set.
In year 9 students receive 2 lessons per week and start the Key Stage 4 curriculum. They follow the Award in Digital Applications (AiDA). This consists of a project involving use of all major ICT tools (spreadsheet, database, presentations, etc.) that is presented as an e-portfolio. The project is finished in year 10, when students have one lesson per week of ICT.

AS and A2 ICT is also offered in the Sixth Form.
GCSE Business Studies is offered to students at Key stage Four and AS and A2 Business Studies at Key Stage Five.

The department is constantly aiming to raise attainment and standards as exemplified in the results achieved in 2010 at Key Stage Four. 72% of students achieved A* to C in AiDA ICT and 56% of the girls achieved the CiDA, which is 2 GCSEs at grade A* to C. 56% of students achieved A* to C in GCSE Business Studies.
The department has many excellent resources available to students including 4 full ICT suites and a fully equipped teaching room and a smaller ICT room for 6th form use. Our excellent facilities include interactive white boards, DVDs, videos and access to the Internet, as well as a wide range of industry standard applications software and interactive revision materials.
The teaching environment is business-like giving students the opportunity to excel in their studies whilst understanding the world of work. Our highly professional staff have high expectations of all their students.
In addition to the excellent opportunities the students have whilst in school they have also benefited from a range of visits such as Cadbury World. Through the square-mile talks Sixth Formers also receive invitations to visit the City of London School to lectures from highly acclaimed experts, including the president of the CBI, MPs and government advisors.

Staff

Mrs Carstens	Curriculum Leader
Ms Heffernan	Deputy Headteacher
Ms Tisson	ICT Teacher
Ms MacLean-Thomas	Teacher of Business and ICT
Ms Walmsley	ICT Teacher

Overview of ICT and Business at the Convent

Key Stage Three ICT
All students follow a programme based on the ICT Secondary Strategy and undertake a range of units to cover:
Handling data and information
Communication
Data Modelling
Data Handling
Publishing on the Web
Control and monitoring
Assessment of ICT at Key Stage 3 comprises a combination of informal observations, oral questioning and assessed tasks on each unit.

Key Stage Four ICT
ICT is compulsory at Key Stage 4 leading to the Award in Digital Applications, which covers all main software programs.

Key Stage Four Business Studies
Edexcel GCSE Business Studies is offered as an option at Key Stage 4. In year 10 2 units are studied, leading to a half GCSE. A further unit is studied in year 11, leading to the full GCSE.

Key Stage 5 AQA AS/A2 ICT
Prerequisites
Students must have at least 5 GCSEs at grade C or above with an average point score which will enable them to achieve a minimum of a grade E according to ALIS predictions. This should include a grade C or above in English and Maths. It is recommended that students have studied ICT at GCSE level, although this is not essential.
Overview
At AS, the two units are concerned with applying ICT to solve problems and the study of the opportunities for and affects of using ICT in the world today. Students will have the opportunity to put into practice a wide range of software and hardware to create solutions to solve problems. Students will work on practical and written exercises throughout the course. The two units covered are: Practical Problem Solving in the Digital World and Living in the Digital World.
At A2, students will study the concepts associated with the use of ICT in the 21st century. They will also have opportunities for acquiring skills needed in the IT profession such as co-operative working and project management. These practical skills can be developed in areas of ICT that are of interest to them. Students can also use these newly acquired skills as a springboard into other qualifications and working environments. The two units covered are: The Use of ICT in the Digital World and Coursework: Practical Issues Involved in the Use of ICT in the Digital World.

Key Stage 5 AQA AS/A2 Business Studies
Prerequisites
Although it is not necessary to have studied this subject prior to sixth form, five GCSEs at grades A-C, including English and maths are required.

Overview
At AS Level, students will be introduced to the challenges and issues of starting a business, including financial planning. They will then explore the key internal functions of business and how the management of these functions can assist in improving the effectiveness and performance of a business. The AS course consists of 2 units: Planning and Financing a Business and Managing a Business.
At A2, the course considers strategies for larger businesses and how these strategies may change according to circumstances. Finally, it considers the effects that external factors can have on businesses and how a business can plan for and manage change, including leadership style and change in business culture. The A2 course consists of 2 units: Strategies for Success and The Business Environment and Change.