ICT, Computing and Google for Education

Technology (EdTech) is core to modern day life: both inside and outside of the classroom, in further education and in the workplace beyond. It is both our responsibility and our privilege in the ICT & Computing department to equip girls with the skills they need to confidently embrace and capably use technology in all its forms. In 2022 St George's was delighted to have its work in EdTech recognised as pupils and staff secured the prestigious Google for Education Reference School Status.

Curriculum
Inside the classroom
Extension and Support
Beyond the classroom

A balanced curriculum of ICT and Computer Science is taught at St George’s in Years 7, 8 and 9.

In Year 7 pupils learn how to create professional documents and how to 'speak computer' using binary (ones and zeros). They also begin to understand programming using Kodu and micro:bits with emoticons and sounds plus many other exciting and fun activities.

In the Year8, they learn how to create a radio and TV advert, they create a design to print out on our 3D printers, they start programming using Scratch and have a go at physical computing using Micro:bits. We also use the Google Suite for modelling and learn how to create Web pages using HTML (Hypertext Markup Language).

In Year 9, we work on a basic understanding of Photoshop, there is the chance to build an Application, a Website and a Database, we look at how networks function and we try to get our heads around the expanding world of Artificial Intelligence.

In the Lower Sixth pupils follow an ICT skills for the workplace and higher education course as part of their curriculum.

We pride ourselves on differentiated individual learning activities that foster enthusiasm, independent learning and resilience. All pupils from Years 7 to 11 are provided with Chromebooks to support their learning through technology. Sixth Form pupils tend to prefer to use their own device to support their A Level studies.

Lessons are taught in a modern, light and airy ICT suite. All PCs have Windows 10 with the Google for Education Suite, MS Office 2016 and a variety of specialist software including the full Adobe Suite installed. The department has several 3D printers which are used as part of the taught curriculum.

The nature of the subject means that pupils can move at their own pace, with the most able encouraged to experiment with app design and coding.

Where demand presents, a weekly Robotics and Coding club is run as part of our extensive co-curricular programme to enable girls with a particular interest to develop their understanding even further. We also run a variety of trips to enhance pupil learning and experience. These include visits to Bletchley Park, the home of Second World War's codebreakers and to Cisco Systems to learn more about a career with an IT giant.

Our innovative ICT and Computing department also continues to make great advances in the use of ICT in supporting teaching and learning, administration and communications across our whole school community.

ICT
ICT