ICT Network
Probably the best ICT infrastructure in Eastbourne
As Ratton is well known for being a Specialist College in Performing Arts, you may be surprised to learn that we also have some of the most complex ICT infrastructure in Eastbourne, helping staff achieve excellent results.
This is not an empty boast as the school has invested considerably in a plan of continuous ICT improvement. Existing ICT suites are regularly overhauled and upgraded, and additional suites added or adapted as demand increases. Summer ’09 saw the introduction of new dedicated computer suites for English, Science and Art, and a suite of computers in the Library. Summer 2010 saw the virtualisation of several servers; the introduction of dedicated fibre links to core ICT suites to provide faster network connections; a small suite of computers for PE; an upgraded suite of netbooks for Languages, and additional SmartBoards for the Maths and English departments. Summer 2011 has seen additional virtualisation of servers; suite refreshes for ICT, Maths, DT, and PE; the introduction of Microsoft Exchange for staff email, and migration to Microsoft Live @ Edu for student email.
Our systems run Microsoft Office 2007, and the Adobe Creative Suite 4, which includes industry recognised software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Flash and Fireworks. Some computer suites have “Virtual Machines”, so that students in specific ICT lessons can gain experience in making configuration changes to Windows without the risk of messing up a real computer.
Our ICT infrastructure supports all curriculum areas, with dedicated computer suites for Maths, English, Languages, Design & Technology, Science, Art, PE and ICT. In addition to this we have “multi-role” ICT suites which are accessible to all curriculum areas.
Students also have access to laptops in many lessons, which increases the flexibility of our computer systems, and allows students to practice their ICT skills whilst learning. Various subjects allow students to express their knowledge not just through typed documents, but also using video, music and image editing; website creation; PowerPoint presentations, and 2D / 3D design.
In order that students have access to exactly the same essential software at home that they use in school, Ratton has invested in a system called “Citrix”. Accessible from the school website, students are able to log in from home, run their programs over the internet, and access their school documents. Combined with our Virtual Learning Environment, or VLE (which has undergone a major re-vamp to cope with demand for "anytime-anywhere learning"), students are able to work at home on projects and schoolwork that traditionally would have needed parents to purchase additional software.
Conscious of the environmental impact of ICT, all new systems, where possible, are computers that have low power consumption which helps reduce our carbon footprint.
Our ICT support team is dedicated and experienced; its members bring expertise from many years of industry experience. With a network of almost 600 computers, 13 servers, and over 1200 users, we don’t allow computer downtime to impact on the education of our students.
Within school, our internet service is available to all students, and it is filtered to protect students from accessing unsuitable material. Our filtering system “Bloxx” also allows us to monitor and log internet activity, which greatly enhances our ability to protect students whilst they use the web.
We are rightly proud of our ICT infrastructure, so if you are considering sending your child to Ratton, or if you already have a child here, you can rest assured that they have access to the most comprehensive ICT provisioning in the area.
RSS Feeds
SIMS Gateway
Secure online access to your school's information.
Gold Friday
Read Ratton's latest newsletter here.