Information and Communications Technology

Facilities: There is an extensive computer network at Mowden that includes two IT suites, each with 17 computers, and at least one computer in every classroom as well as the library and Pre-Prep. There is also a wide range of software available including all components of Microsoft Office, the CorelDraw suite, and Macromedia Flash. There is also software more suited to the younger age-groups in the pre-prep.

Lessons: In the main school the ICT programme is covered in two 35-minute lessons per week. The children in the Pre-Prep also have one lesson per week in one of the IT rooms.

Touch-typing: All pupils are expected to develop their skills in touch-typing, with a termly assessment of their speed and level of accuracy. We use Mavis Beacon to develop these skills.

Filing: Pupils are encouraged and later expected to organise their files into suitable folders. Pupils are allocated filespace that increases as they progess through the school to around 200Mb at present, although, when required, this is increased. All pupils from Year 3 onwards have their own folder and logon name.

E-mail: All pupils in the main school have an e-mail address that is accessible outside the school.

Internet: Pupils access to the Internet is through standard filtered access during lessons and a Whitelist, or 'Walled Garden' in free time. The Whitelist is under constant review and sites are added regularly. All Internet access is also logged.

Intranet: A recent innovation is the Mowden Intranet, which, although part of the main website, is a private site, also accessible from outside the school via passworded access. Parents and pupils all have logins to the Intranet, which contains a growing amount of content. There is information for parents, and teaching resources.

Free time: The computer rooms are in constant use throughout the day during free time and pupils are encouraged to develop projects on their own initiative. Use of computers for games is discouraged although they are allowed at times during the weekend for boarders.