Dallam Computing and ICT Department
Computing is a very successful, forward thinking department that has both whole school influence and good
curriculum results. It aims to provide a creative and stimulating curriculum for all students at Key Stages 3-5 and
to continue to stay abreast of technological changes in this fast moving area of the curriculum. There are
currently two members of the department. The department is actively involved in the school’s Gifted and
Talented programme and has significant input into the school’s assembly and SMSC provision. The school also
has a network manager and two full time ICT network technicians.
Currently, all Key Stage 3 classes have 1 x 60 minute lessons of Computing per week and 5 lessons over two
weeks as part of the KS4 options blocks. Computing is taught in mixed ability classes.
Students at KS3 have been following an increasingly Computing based curriculum using scratch and python with
the opportunity to access increasingly more complex content as they progress through the school. At KS3 the
department also delivers some “traditional” ICT content and has an extremely important role in the delivery of
esafety and online citizenship. Students at KS4 currently follow a GCSE Computing curriculum. At Post Sixteen
there are some legacy Information Technology specifications being taught. Post Sixteen students follow a L3
BTEC diploma. For the successful candidate there will be some important decisions to be made about which
reformed specifications should be taken on in the Sixth Form including the possibility of A’Level Computing.
The department is accommodated in a newly refurbished teaching block with two large ICT suites, a department
office and a smaller suite. ICT is currently line managed by the Head of Maths. The department organises trips
as part of activities week and to enhance the curriculum throughout the year. These visits have included local
industries, universities and Bletchley Park. Students at Dallam have the opportunity to become digital
champions to help shape and drive our ICT provision and staff volunteer to be part of a whole school ICT
network group.
Dallam School has recently moved to the Microsoft 365 platform and uses 365 for email and as a VLE. There is a
huge amount of potential for Dallam to enhance whole-school ICT through the 365 platform. BYOD is embedded
into the Sixth Form and the department will help to implement a BYOD trial for Y7 students in the summer term.
The long term aim is to create a link with an ICT supplier and create a hire-purchase scheme for BYOD that will
be available to all students.
Dallam students are actively engaged in the principles of the Dallam Learner Profile. The School and the
ICT/Computing department is keen to ensure that these principles are embedded in our classroom practice.
Mr S Watson
Head of ICT and Computing