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ICT Department - Resources

Hardware:

Servers - The school curriculum network has four main servers and links all the main buildings with the latest switched 100Mbps fibre-optic technology. Two further servers cache CD-Rom/DVD software and act as an Internet proxy-server respectively.

Computers - There are currently over 350 networked computers available for pupils to use. These are mainly arranged in suites of 25 and all teaching rooms are equipped with at least one computer. 

Other resources - The school presently has around 35 interactive whiteboards and digital projectors. There are also video conferencing facilities and interactive voting handsets available.

Internet/Intranet:

Internet - All the computers on the network have simultaneous access to a 2MB broadband connection.  The Internet access is through a filtered Internet Service Provider (ISP) and all pupils using the school network, email and the Internet sign an 'acceptable use' policy which is counter-signed by their parents.

Intranet - The school has a well-developed Intranet (internal website) which an increasing  number of departments use to provide sources of coursework material, links to websites, information for pupils and purchased software.  Pupils are able to log into the Intranet from home, as well as access their user area on the servers.

Website - The school website was set up in 1999 and currently has over 1000 pages. It provides information about the school, and individual departments, the pupils and their work, educational Internet links, interactive activities and eResources, as well as allowing pupils to log onto their web-based email, the school Intranet and the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Email:

All pupils and staff have email access and their own email address through a web-based email service suitable for home and school use. This service can be accessed through the school website home Page.

Software Resources:

All the curriculum computers run Windows XP Professional. The core software is the Microsoft Office 2003 professional suite of programs:

  • Word 2003
  • Excel 2003
  • Publisher 2003
  • Access 2003
  • PowerPoint 2003
  • FrontPage 2003

All the computers on the network have access to multimedia CD-Rom software with a considerable number of subject-specific software titles.

Summary of the main software used:

Software title Type of software What it is used for
TechSoft 2D design  CAD/CAM 2D technical draughting, graphic design and CAD/CAM
Pro/DESKTOP 2000i CAD/CAM 2D and 3D design
Serif PhotoPlus Imaging software Drawing, photo manipulation, animation, digital effects
Word 2003 Word Processor Word processing and DTP
Publisher 2003 DTP software Word processing and DTP
Access 2003 Database management Creating and managing databases
Logicator Control technology Flowsheet based control, either as a simulator or controlling a Smartbox linked to inputs and outputs.
Visual Control+ Control technology Program language based control, either as a simulator or controlling a Deltronics control box linked to inputs and outputs.
Robot Arm Control technology Program language based control simulator.
PowerPoint 2003 Presentation software Used to create multimedia slideshows or interactive presentations
FrontPage 2003 Website creation Used to create websites