ICT

Pupils entering the school come with a range of IT skills and our aim is to fill any gaps and to build on existing knowledge.  In the UIII they will learn how to use the Wycombe Abbey computer network and how to use ICT for a range of different tasks and subjects.  Safety on-line is paramount and we teach the girls how to use current and emerging technology in a safe and responsible manner. We teach keyboards skills and help the girls achieve a higher level of touch typing. Desktop publishing, word processing and the use of spreadsheets are covered. They also learn to use Logo and control software, building procedures to solve a variety of problems. Simple web design techniques are learnt to build web pages on the solar system linking with their work in Physics.

 In the LIV the year is used to extend and consolidate pupils' knowledge in a variety of aspects of ICT.  They gain a better understanding of how ICT can help their work in other subjects.  The pupils’ work is expected to be more focussed and efficient, and they learn to carry out increasingly complex tasks. For example, the girls use a spreadsheet to model a theatre booking system. They set up queries in a database and extend their knowledge of control software. They learn to create podcasts and multimedia photo-stories. Safe and effective use of the internet is emphasised throughout the course

In the UIV they are expected to become increasingly independent users of ICT tools and information sources.  Their work is expected to be more rigorous and they should be able to evaluate their own outputs. The focus is the application of computer skills to a business project.  Over the year the girls will tackle various aspects of running a Health and Fitness Centre and see how ICT can be used to perform different tasks. They also learn some video editing techniques using a variety of software packages. We take part in the annual ‘Design a Newspaper’ competition organised by the TES. Safe and effective use of the internet is emphasised throughout the course.

We offer the Business and Communications Systems course as an optional GCSE. In two double periods a week the girls study ICT and its applications to many areas of business. We will be visiting different businesses to see ICT in action and see how ICT is used in the wider world.

In the Sixth form we encourage girls to take the ECDL certificate and this has proved very popular.

Cross curricula

ICT is embedded in many areas of academic work. We teach the girls how to use ICT in many contexts to help them with their other subjects. We teach the use of thinking tools such as Inspiration and many girls request this software for their laptop.

Computer club activities

There is a computer club for the Junior House girls and a hobbies session for older girls to do video editing / photography and work is published on the Intranet. We also link with physics to encourage the study of Astronomy and we have the use of the Schools on-line robotic telescope based in La Palma in the Canary Islands.

What the pupils say:  

 “One day computers will rule the world; we are learning how to win them over!”  

“ICT GCSE is a great course as it take as it is extremely useful for future life. The skills you learn could help you become a very successful and high flying business woman!”

“ICT GCSE is fab! It is extremely useful and interesting! The skills and techniques learnt, lead to lots of pathways to success in future life.

“Computers have opened up new resources for me and the world.”

What the teachers say:

We really love teaching ICT and Computing as the technology keeps developing and it is an exciting area to be involved in. The girls enjoy their use of computers both for work and as part of their day-to-day lives. All the teachers At Wycombe Abbey use ICT as part of their teaching so we get involved in all areas of the curriculum.

General information:  

Current systems include the Windows 2003 operating system on servers and Windows XP on desktops.  The MS Office suite is used throughout the school as well as many varieties of software for particular departments.  Laptops are used by some staff and increasingly by students and these synchronise with the network and are used in many of the boarding houses.

The entire site is cabled and House studies in all the boarding houses have network points. Although each house has computers and printers available we encourage girls in the Lower Fifth and above to purchase a laptop through the school scheme. Girls have open access to the facilities and use the systems heavily for work, leisure and communication

Lap-tops for girls have to be purchased through our lap-top scheme. A supplier deals direct with parents and organises the set-up, delivery and advises on various stages of the implementation. You should read the scheme leaflet if you are thinking of buying a laptop as we do not support or allow other laptops outside of the scheme to connect to our network.

Many classrooms are equipped with computers, projectors and interactive whiteboards.

There are three computer rooms for teaching and these can be booked by departments for lessons involving ICT. There are also computers available in departments, Houses and in the Junior library.