Information & Communication Technology
At Gospel Oak we have very good provision for the teaching of computer skills. All classrooms have 3 or more networked computers with very fast broadband internet access. Link to ICT policy
In 2001 we were one of the first Camden primary schools to introduce a computer suite. Teachers take their class in once a week to cover the ICT curriculum. These skills are used back in the classroom when children use the computers to support learning across the curriculum.
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The ICT room is also used outside teaching time for a program called RM Maths. Before school 16 children (and during lunch hour 50 children) spend 15 minutes each improving their maths skills with this integrated learning system. We have also used the ICT suite to offer parents a chance to improve their ICT skills by running free classes. We also run a weekly Gifted and Talented session to teach more advanced computer skills.
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Children using RM Maths |
Practising touch typing |
All classrooms have Interactive White Boards and projectors which are used to great effect in most lessons. The KS2 hall is kitted out with a high powered projector and 6m screen (linked to the network). This is extensively used in assemblies, PE and drama lessons. In 2007 the infant hall was also kitted out with a computer, projector and IWB.
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In April 2005 we invested in a new Community Connect 3 network. This new network ensures all children have their own user account (they can access from any computer in the school), their own personal space for files and email account. In July 2008 the server was upgraded to cope with the massive number and size of files generated by all the staff and pupils computer use.
In November 2007 we purchased a class set of 16 wireless laptops. Year 6 trialled the use of these to support all lessons in the classroom. Feedback was very positive and further sets of laptops went into years 3 and 5 in October 2008. We will be aiming to provide all classes with sets of laptops over the coming years and ultimately the ICT suite will become obselete.
Gospel Oak follows a scheme of work based the the QCA document. Each half-term a unit of work is covered (for example, databases or multimedia presentations). At the beginning of each year each year group spends 5 weeks covering a "core skills unit". These 'core skills' units focus on key generic skills such as: minimising/maximising, creating folders, inserting tables in word documents, carrying out image searches on the internet. In 2007 we embarked on a programme of specialist lessons for all year groups using ICT technology to teach music.
Examples of work
Music Technology Home and Away
Flash Animations created by Year 6
Projects on Ancient Greece by Year 5