Senior School - Computing
Staff
Mr Ken Milligan, BSc Dip Ed
Mr Mike Bray, BA, PGCE
Transition-S2 Courses:
Pupils from these classes attend either 1 or 2 periods of ICT each week, depending on timetable space. They follow a course with the emphasis on practical applications of computing, using a range of hardware and software to develop skills which will be of use throughout their studies. They also examine some basic computer systems concepts and look at how the use of ICT has impacted on life and working habits.
S3-S6 Courses:
We offer a range of courses at the senior end of the school. Senior pupils can elect to study Higher Computing Studies. This course comprises core units in Computer Systems and Software Development and the optional unit currently studied is in Multimedia Technology. Pupils who succeed in this course in S5 have the option to progress on into the Advanced Higher course in S6.
In S3 and S4 all pupils undertake a Core Skills unit in IT at either Intermediate I, Intermediate II or Higher level. These are designed to equip them with the skills they should require to benefit from access to the School Network System. They should ensure that each pupil reaching S5 and starting Higher courses in other subjects will be able to use the computers in school to help with the research and presentation of information for these courses.
In addition to these courses the Intermediate II Computer Studies course provides a vehicle for those pupils with a more specific interest in computing as a discipline to gain a more formal qualification. This course, featuring Computer Systems and Software Development as it's core units also includes two of the optional units, currently Multimedia Technology and Artificial Intelligence. This provides pupils with a slightly broader focus to their studies over two years in S3 and S4.
Extra-Curricular Activities:
Junior School Computer Club runs in the computing department on Monday and Tuesday lunchtimes, supervised by Miss McCluskey. Machines are available at times for pupils with work to do. During classes pupils requiring access to IT facilities have access to the Computing Study Room.
