The ICT Department is unique and versatile in that, as well as teaching, it provides the IT infrastructure for the whole School. Thus there are two separate areas: the Academic Department, and ICT services.

Within the Academic Department, ICT is taught as a distinct subject up to and including A Level, but with cross-curricular content up to IV Form.

IT Services provides technical support to all of the School, both staff and pupils. It is also responsible for maintaining the School's extensive network. In addition, the School's website and the information database providing data on pupils, subjects, staff, timetabling and reports are maintained by the Department. 

James Bisset MA, MSc: Director of ICT Services
Mr Bisset is responsible for ICT policy at Merchiston, and oversees the running of all systems. In addition to teaching ICT and Computing, he assists with the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, and accompanies boys on expeditions. He is a tutor in Chalmers West.

Mary Watson BSc: Head of Curricular ICT
Mrs Watson also teaches in the Mathematics Department. She is responsible for the development and implementation of the ICT curriculum.

David Turner MA
Mr Turner runs the School's database ('Pass'), and is also the website manager. Outside the Department, he is involved in the Music Department, where he is the School Organist, and assists with various groups. He is the conductor of the Colinton and Merchiston Community Choir.

Alister Macneill
Network and ICT Technical Support Officer

Chris Brown
Technical Support Officer

The IT Centre has two dedicated classrooms for the teaching of IT. The 'resource area' has facilities for other departments' teachers to bring their classes and the classrooms can also be booked when not being used for the teaching of IT.

The classrooms are equipped with up to the minute hardware and software facilities.  PCs run Windows 7, and each lab has a data projector, and an interactive Smartboard.  Each room has printing and scanning facilities.  A wide range of general purpose, curricular and "recreational" software is installed.

 J4, J5 - Classes are taught in the Pringle Centre by their class teacher using the mobile laptop suite.  The IT topics covered are linked to work being undertaken by the class in other curricular areas. 

I Form - This year group is taught in the IT Centre. A cross curricular approach to teaching is employed; for example, the Microsoft PowerPoint unit is closely linked to the English curriculum, and supports the boys' preparation for the English Speaking Board (ESB) presentations they deliver in the Lent term.

II - III Forms - These year groups are taught in the IT Centre. Content is linked to science and Chemistry curriculums.

IV Form - This course covers a range of practical and theory topics in preparation for the IGCSE course.

Shell - V Form - This session sees the introduction of IGCSE ICT. This course is modular in content and has 2 main elements, theory and practical.

VI Form - The course presented is AQA A Level ICT at AS and A2. On occasion, AS Level Computing can be offered as a more "technical" alternative to candidates with a strong background in Maths and/or Physics.

The Audio-Visual club is responsible for the presentation of material using technology at School events such as assemblies. Its members man the projection box in the Memorial Hall, and also control the sound systems during events.

IT in Industry

Through the session, we have visitors from Industry as part of the 'IT in Industry' initiative to raise awareness of IT as an academic subject and as a career offering variety and opportunity.