A great understanding of technology

The advantage of having a specialisation

The Academy operates in an environment in which staff and learners increasingly expect to use ICT to support all areas of their work and social environment. Learners growing up in an increasingly digital environment will expect educational institutions to engage with the tools that they use in their everyday lives.

ICT is be one of the key resources which is used by the Academy to realise its vision of building a learning community that develops the self-worth of learners, collaborates with stakeholders in the local community and becomes a centre of excellence in ICT and the built environment.

The ICT within the new Academy building is be industry standard. Staff and students are work with a wide range of digital devices which enable them to access the Academy’s content and systems. Learners and staff expect, and require, the ICT systems and services to be always on – in the same way that they access their own personal systems outside of the Academy environment.

ICT systems and services are designed to provide a high degree of resilience and reliability. Strategic planning for the introduction of new systems and resources are key to maintaining an ICT environment that is always on. The systems are designed such that they can be updated and refreshed in a similar timeframe to that found in industry.

ICT is used to engage and motivate all learners. The innovative use of ICT is encouraged and celebrated.
ICT will support the delivery of the essential core areas including literacy, numeracy, science, ICT and citizenship.
ICT will provide software and content that is rich, flexible and stretches the capabilities of learners and demands higher expectations of its users.
ICT resources are accessible throughout the facility. Learners are expected to use ICT as part of their every day learning experience.
ICT will promote the success of learners through the publication of materials on the Academy’s intranet, web site and other presentation technologies.

ICT is integral to learning in all areas of the curriculum:
• It is used to transform teaching and learning across the curriculum;
• It will facilitate the integration of academic and vocational learning;
• Students are encouraged to use ICT for collaborative group working and individual projects;
• Students are encouraged to use ICT to produce high quality, innovative work using the full range of multimedia resources including audio and video materials;
• It is used to support all students, including those with learning difficulties, in accessing the curriculum;
• Staff will use ICT, including multimedia and interactive teaching resources, in the delivery of lessons;
• Video capture equipment is used to record lessons for review and support;
• The Academy will collaborate with other educational institutions, both local and national, and commercial providers to establish a library of online learning resources.
• Staff will prepare and tailor interactive online learning resources to meet the needs of students;
• ICT will provide staff with a holistic view of learners including personal targets and up to date information on progress;
• Staff ICT skills are supported by an ongoing CPD programme and tailored ICT training solutions;
• ICT will help to track progress, identify targets, and provide support for the achievement of those targets by offering revision and support materials and access to support staff at flexible times;



Karen Riding
Director of Specialisms and elearning