ICT is a key skill at Swanmead. From Year 5, pupils have a full hour of specialist ICT training every week in an ICT suite containing 25 networked computers all linked to the central teacher's computer for monitoring and support.   ICT is widely used to support and develop most other subjects.  Currently there are 110 computers on the school network and most rooms have several computers as well as peripherals such as printers, scanners or other equipment such as digital cameras and digital movie makers.

Swanmead pupils consistently achieve standards of achievement significantly above national average and this has resulted in a recent Ofsted inspection that rated us as Excellent (the highest grade) which in turn led to a national team of specialist inspectors visiting to see how we managed this achievement, and who then rated us as Outstanding and one of the best in the country.

Lessons are designed to teach pupils all the skills they will need in school and the wider world, with special sessions on internet safety.  Most lessons are parts of larger units using real-life situations (e.g. planning the advertising of a new pop group starring themselves).

Pupils can share, review and continue their schoolwork at home via the Fronter website (www.fronter.com/somerset) and this can also be used for secure internal e-mails.

The ICT department consists of Robert McLaughlin (Acting Deputy Head), Chris Lane (Curriculum ICT Coordinator), and  Nigel Steady (ICT Technician). All subject teachers have been NOF trained and use ICT in their teaching.