Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

The school-wide PC and Windows based computer network is operated under the control of a full time ICT Manager, an Assistant ICT Manager and an ICT Technician. Each boy has his own user area and password. The school is well equipped with 3 ICT rooms each housing 28 multimedia PCs and one smaller teaching room with 13 PCs.  Three class-size sets of wireless laptops (which can be connected to the network) are available for cross-curricular use, making it possible for each boy to have his own computer in a lesson when this is required. A digital booking system for the computer rooms is also available to all staff.

All boys and members of staff have their own Internet e-mail account. The network also provides an integrated system for teacher support and administration. The library also has 24 PCs for student use, whilst a specialist digital language laboratory, with Divace software, is used extensively by the Modern Languages Department.

The Music department has its own technology studio comprising 28 Apple Mac computers and specialist software for use with electronic keyboards.

There is generous provision for the training of staff and boys in appropriate ICT skills. Most classrooms have at least one PC.

ICT Teaching

ICT is taught to all students at CLS. Particular emphasis is placed, in the first year, on developing a confident, independent approach to all aspects of ICT use and all students are expected to be able to use the School’s applications software by the end of the first year. Students are introduced to programming in the first year (Scratch).  
 

All students have the opportunity to take an ICT qualification at the end of the Second Form.

Considerable use is made of the School’s internet facilities, in line with the School’s internet policy for student use. ICT is used widely across the curriculum.

City of London School offers the industry-standard ICT qualification ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence, accredited by the British Computer Society) to all Sixth Formers. ECDL is the fastest growing IT qualification in the UK and is recognised by universities as a benchmark for ICT literacy.  This qualification tests computer skills across a range of applications.  It is considered to be more challenging and more practical than the GCSE in ICT and as such, is increasingly popular – especially in independent schools.