An exciting new time in the history of Copley High School began in September, 2005. We have been designated as a specialist college in Maths and Computing. We would like to share with you how this new status will enhance the education of our pupils in all areas of the curriculum.

Governors, pupils and parents are all fully behind this new direction. This support was shown in the astonishingly successful fund-raising effort. The school raised an amazing £31,000 in fifteen months through a combination of sponsored activities, fund-raising events, concerts and raffles. The sponsored cross country event - the dash for cash - raised over £8,000 in a single afternoon! Every pupil in the school played their part in this event. This success enabled us to find funding from businesses to reach our target of £50,000.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is now the third key skill. Maths and Computing are at the heart of success in the curriculum. Mathematics is of central importance to modern society and we want to play our part in producing greater numbers of young people with the mathematical skills needed at all levels of society.

For the 21st century, pupils must behave differently as learners. We aim to support pupils in becoming independent learners - and thinkers! The coming year will see developments including:

- the development of the school's Virtual Learning Environment and on-line teaching materials with access at school and from home.
- the increased access of ICT for all through extension of wireless technology to all areas of the school.	- the extension of curriculum opportunities through the use of video conferencing.
- the provision of many more laptop computers for pupil use.	- all Maths classrooms equipped to a very high standard.
- the creation of a Maths Learning Support Centre to be known as MIDAS  which will provide individual support for pupils in Maths both in and out of lessons.
- digital projectors in every classroom.

Digital technology can improve motivation and learning in every subject area. We will make innovative use of ICT to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in ICT lessons but also in all other subjects across the curriculum and in every classroom. In Life Studies, pupils use websites to find up to date information on topical issues. Pupils also use e-mail to contact local and national government.

	In English, pupils study newspapers online. They create their own media texts using Microsoft Publisher.
In Design & Technology, pupils use our laser cutter to enhance the quality of their work through CAD (computer aided design)		All the sound and lighting for our music concerts and drama performances is provided by pupils working with digital equipment.
	In Music, pupils use computers to compose new work and enhance their critical abilities. In Drama, pupils use digital cameras to record and evaluate their work.
Pupils involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme use digital technology to plan routes and to enhance their navigational skills.		In P.E. pupils use digital equipment to time events and to evaluate performance.
	In Science, pupils use data loggers to record measurements during practical activities and use spreadsheets to graph and then analyse their results.
In Modern Foreign Languages pupils use ICT to communicate with native speakers, develop awareness of other cultures and use language in real life situations.		In Art, pupils use creative programmes to scan and manipulate images and pieces of their own work. They also use digital cameras extensively.
In Humanities, pupils use the internet to encourage discussion and develop independent research skills. For example, Geography students will research natural disasters such as the Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina.

We have selected these subject areas for a variety of reasons:

a) The two subjects are at the heart of the curriculum for every child at every stage of secondary education.

b) Maths and ICT complement each other in a variety of ways.

c) We regard ICT as an essential part of the entitlement for all pupils and we are already working to ensure that all pupils leave Copley with a valuable ICT qualification.

d) All subject areas will benefit from developments in these two areas - and especially from enhance access to ICT skills and ICT hardware and software.

We believe that developments in these two subject areas will enable us to improve teaching and learning across all areas of the school.