Parents Page

How can I check what homework my son/daughter has?

Homework assignments are listed on the for each class according to their year group.

How can I check my son's / daughter's progress?
An online system called Serco is being introduced. It will allow parents and teachers to view progress and merits online. Parents and students will be issued usernames and passwords later this academic year.

 

What equipment does my son/daughter need to study ICT?

All students should have a USB/Flash drive in order to save classwork and homework.

Students should have access to a computer with an internet connection in order to complete homework assignments

 

How can I restrict the amount of time my son/daughter spends on the computer each day?

First of all, ensure the computer is in a public part of the house, NOT in a childs' bedroom. Secondly, consider adding an access program, such as Timewatcher, Kidswatch, Kids PC Time Administrator , or  Sentry PC NetNanny or CyberPatrol which allow only predetermined times slots for using the PC. The time controls on these software solutions can be cracked by some kids but combined with internet filtering makes it a lot harder for children to spend too much time online. Using these programs might be more effective than trying to hide /unplug the computer. A more complete list of parental control programs can be found on DMOZ

 

What programs does my son/daughter need on the home computer?

Currently students need access to the following programs:

All Years: Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Publisher. Versions for 2003 or 2007 are both OK,  Alternatively they can use Open Office (this is free software). This can be downloaded from http://download.openoffice.org/. They also need Internet access via an Internet Browser such as Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox. It is useful for students to have a pdf reader , such as Foxit Reader. With this they can read digitised copies of text books, which are abailable on the school network.

 

Year 8 and 9

Students use a software package called Scratch to design and build simple computer games. It can be downloaded free from http://scratch.mit.edu/. It helps develop skills in simple programming, through the use of a drag and drop interface

 

Year 9

Audacity is used in year 9 to for a project on sound editing. It can be downloaded free from: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

 

Years 8 to 10:

MS Access 2003 or 2007,

It is useful if students, especially those in Year 10 and 11, have Dreamweaver 8 on their home computers for completing webdesign projects. However, legitimate copies of this can be expensive.  Free alternative software called Kompozer is installed on all PCs in the computer labs. It can be downloaded free from: http://www.kompozer.net/ 

 

What other software do students use in school?

     Years 7,8 and 9:  Students also use HotPotatoes  v6.2 for making interactive quizzes and Camstudio for recording screencasts. Both these programs are freely downloadable. In the future students will be using Google Sketchup, Pivot Stick Animator, Gamemaker and Alice

     Years 10 and 11:  For IGCSE students currently use Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Access. Both 2003 and 2007 versions are available. They can use the version that they feel most comfortable with. Open Office software is installed in the two main computer labs.For webdesign, students currently use Dreamweaver 8.  

 

What advice do you give about Internet Safety?

Childrens' computers should be in a communal part of the house, not in bedrooms. Parents need to take an active interest in what their children are doing on the Internet.  There are lots of internet filtering programs available which will help keep children safe.  Parents may need to forceful about limiting access for entertainment use, such as games.Although games can have a useful educational role, they should be played in moderation.

 

What about email?

All students need an email account in order to receive updates on homework and to enable them to join online collaboration and assessment websites. Homework is not normally submitted by email however, when permitted, emails may not be accepted unless it is clear who the email has come from. Students should state their nickname and tutor group and ICT class name in the header of any email they send to teachers.

 

Plagiarism

When students submit written work, we expect it to be their own writing. Copying and pasting or modifying other sources is acceptable only if the original source(s) are quoted.