Art and Design 

ICT Suite

• Equipped with 21 PCs and 1 Promethean whiteboard, our suite provides a collaborative learning environment.

Software

• Adobe Photoshop Elements 7: 21 copies available for graphic design and photo editing.
• Netsupport School: Enhances classroom management and student engagement.
• Sibelius Lite: 21 copies for music notation and composition.
• GIMP and Photopea: Free and powerful alternatives for image editing.
• Google SketchUp: For 3D modeling and design projects.
• Microsoft Office Suite: Includes PowerPoint and Word for presentations and document creation.

Hardware

• Printers
• Scanners
• Art Department PCs: 13 dedicated computers for creative projects.
• Displays: 3 TV screens and 1 Promethean whiteboard for presentations and interactive lessons.
• Cameras:
  • 30 compact cameras for various photography needs.
  • 14 DSLR Canon cameras with accessories for advanced photography.
• iPad: 1 iPad available for mobile learning and creativity.

Learning and Teaching Strategies

We employ a variety of effective learning and teaching strategies, including:

• Demonstrations and teacher-led sessions
• Practical work and portfolios
• Creating art and graphic design projects
• Producing photographic portfolios
• Researching artists and designers
• Exemplification of SQA understanding standards
• Exam preparation and revision
• Video tutorials for enhanced learning
• Interactive learning platforms
• GLOW Teams for resources and assignments

Music 

Our Music Department is well-equipped with a range of resources to support both teaching and learning:

• Teacher and Student PCs:
  • 2 desktop PCs for teachers
  • 10 desktop PCs for students
• Promethean Whiteboards: 2 interactive whiteboards for engaging lessons.
• Audio Equipment:
  • 2 hi-fi setups for high-quality sound
  • 1 dedicated music PC
  • 1 music instructor room PC with active speakers
• Software:
  • Sibelius 6: 11 licenses available in Music A and 1 in Music B
  • Sibelius Lite: Accessible in rooms 27B and 3C
  • Cubase Elements 9: 21 portable licenses with USB licensers
• Mixing and Audio Interfaces:
  • USB mixing desk in Music A
  • 10 M-Audio Fast Track Pro 2 audio interfaces
  • 2 M-Audio Fast Track interfaces
  • Scarlett audio interface
• Additional Resources:
  • Headphones, dynamic and condenser microphones, cables for digital recording and processing
  • 1 handheld TASCAM recording machine for departmental use and 4 staff-owned devices
  • MP3 players for backing tracks and individual listening assessments

Learning and Teaching Strategies

We utilize a variety of effective learning strategies to enhance individual and collaborative learning:

Individual Learning:

• Performing: Students practice and record their performances with backing tracks using Cubase Elements, YouTube, and Microsoft Teams.
• Composing: Learners create their own music using multitrack recording tools like Cubase Elements, Sibelius 6, Sibelius Lite, Audacity, and BandLab (a free online resource).
• Listening and Analyzing: Students explore and identify concepts across different music genres (classical, world, and contemporary) using YouTube, Microsoft Sway, PowerPoint, Prezi, Scholar, and Achieve.

Collaborative Learning:

• Composing Together: Students collaborate on music creation using the same tools mentioned above.
• Research: Groups investigate musical styles and concepts through YouTube, search engines, Microsoft Office, and Teams.
• Presenting Research: Students present their findings using Cubase Elements or Audacity for projects like radio broadcasts, alongside Microsoft PowerPoint.

Evaluating Learning:

• Students listen to their own and peers’ recordings to assess performance accuracy, strengths, and areas for development using Cubase Elements and Sibelius 6/Lite.

Combining Learning Resources:
Our approach incorporates various teaching methods, including demonstrations, teacher-led sessions, questioning, online platforms, video tutorials, and interactive platforms. Assessment is conducted through quizzes, exams, project work, and live or recorded performances, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.

Drama and Performing Arts Resources

Technology and Equipment
Our Drama and Performing Arts department is equipped with a variety of resources to enhance teaching and learning:

• Computers and Laptops:
  • 1 teacher desktop PC
  • 2 student laptops
  • 20 Chromebooks available as a corridor resource
• Promethean Whiteboard: 1 interactive whiteboard for dynamic lessons.
• Audio Equipment:
  • USB mixing desk for sound control
  • Sound amplifier and speakers for high-quality audio
  • Headphones, microphones, and necessary leads
• Recording Equipment:
  • Camcorder for capturing performances
  • DVD player for media playback
  • Coomber for recording (potentially becoming obsolete with the new sound desk; experimentation needed)
• Lighting Setup:
  • Lighting desk with 30 programmed lanterns for effective lighting design
  • Additional lighting, sound, and projector equipment available in the hall

Learning and Teaching Strategies

We implement a range of strategies to foster both individual and collaborative learning:

Individual Learning:

• Performing: Students practice and record their performances using lighting, sound, and multimedia resources.
• Researching and Creating: Learners develop their own dramas, dances, and designs utilizing Office, Teams, and YouTube for inspiration and guidance.
• Understanding Drama: Students watch and analyze performances to identify level-specific concepts using Teams, YouTube, DramaOnline, Sway, and PowerPoint.

Collaborative Learning:

• Creating Together: Groups work on their own drama, design, and dance projects, integrating lighting, sound, and multimedia elements.
• Research: Teams explore concepts through YouTube, search engines, Microsoft Office, and Teams.
• Presenting: Students present their work using lighting and sound, recording performances for playback and critique.

Evaluating Learning:

• Students review their own and peers’ performances, whether live or recorded, to assess strengths and identify areas for improvement.

Combining Learning Resources:
Our approach incorporates various teaching methods, including demonstrations, teacher-led sessions, questioning, online platforms, video tutorials, and interactive tools. Assessment methods include quizzes, exams, project work, and live or recorded performances, ensuring a comprehensive educational experience.

Current Digital Resources in Use:

• ICT Suite – 20 PCs
• Chromebooks – 60 units
• Teacher Computers – 7 units
• Interactive Whiteboards – 6 units
• Printer – 1 unit

Teaching and Learning Strategies Employed:

• Chromebooks utilized for all types of writing activities.
• Interactive Whiteboards used for listening exercises, including viewing video clips followed by questions. Also used for presenting PowerPoint slides and conducting whole-class activities.
• Microsoft Teams for distributing revision materials and assigning homework.
• Chromebooks to provide access to differentiated tasks for students.
• Chromebooks for research purposes in assignments like Folio, Discursive, and Persuasive Writing.

Digital provisions currently in use.

• Teacher boards – 5
• Teacher Computers – 5
• Chrome books – 20
• Printer – 1

Learning and teaching strategies used

• Chromebooks used regularly.
• Mymaths utilised in class, for homework and to support reflection.
• Active Studio used extensively
• Plickers used for check-in, target setting, feedback and pupil voice.
• Fast Feedback printers used for targets and learning conversations.
• Work, lessons and learning materials placed on Teams.

Social Subjects and RME:

Digital provisions currently in use (hardware).

• 19 chromebooks
• 1 x base computer
• 1 x speakers for base computers
• 1 x base printer
• 7 x classroom computers
• 7 x promethean whiteboards and projectors

• Use of computers (school-based library ICT suite) for Travel & Tourism class

Learning and teaching strategies used.

Active learning in research and using worked examples to reinforce knowledge and understanding.

Collaborative learning use of chromebooks for collaboration, knowledge sharing and problem solving.

Use of Microsoft Teams for homework and team collaborative programs.

Use of online learning platforms providing tutorials and quality content.

Use of computers (school-based library ICT suite) for Travel & Tourism class

Combining learning resources,

• demonstrations,
• teacher- led sessions,
• questioning,
• textbooks,
• online platforms,
• video tutorials
• interactive platforms,
•  
• Assessment through quizzes, exams and project work.

Computing Science Dept.

Digital provisions currently in use. (software + hardware)
42 Desktop Computers

• 4 Computer Games Consoles
• 2 Promethean whiteboards
• 5 Raspberry Pi
• 20 Makecode arcade machine
• 45 Microbits
• 42 Desktop Computers

Learning and teaching strategies used.

Active learning in solving problems, writing code and implementing concepts to reinforce understanding.

Collaborative learning such as Paired programming to promote collaboration, knowledge sharing and problem solving.

Regular routine programming coding, starting with small projects and gradually increasing complexity.

Use of online learning platforms providing tutorials and quality content.

Combining learning resources,

• demonstrations,
• teacher- led sessions,
• questioning,
• textbooks,
• online platforms,
• video tutorials
• interactive platforms,
• Assessment through quizzes, exams and project work.

Technical Department

Digital provisions currently in use.

• 22 desktop computers
• 1 A4 B/W printer
• 1 Laser cutter
• 3D printer

Learning and teaching strategies used

• Whole class demonstrations
• Demonstrations by teacher
• Design folios
• Practical work
• You tube videos
• Research projects
• Kahoot quizzes
• Q and A
• Feedback
• Homework