Software Downloads
The following are useful programs that you can download and use for free! Many of these applications are used here at Twyford, so having them at home can help you explore an area before, during or after your taught lessons.
Note that we cannot be responsible for any issues with these applications, nor can the Network Support team provide any assistance with installation or errors.
| Software | Description | Useful for |
| Audacity | Audio editing program | Making mixes, editing and recording sound (KS3) DiDA coursework |
| AVG Anti-Virus | A free anti-virus program that will detect and in some cases remove viruses from your PC. Note if your PC is already infected, some of the more clever viruses will not allow themselves to be removed! Note also that this deals with viruses but not Spyware. For that you may need other programs. |
Keeping your PC running! |
| BlueJ | An environment for creating programs and learning programming using the Java language. | Learning programming (KS5) |
| CutePDF | Allows you to create PDF files using a "virtual printer". Requires Ghostscript to work. | DiDA coursework |
| Firefox | An excellent and secure web browser. Good to check that your ePortfolio works with this program as well as Internet Explorer. If you have a Sandisk Cruzer - there is a version that installs onto the Cruzer and that can be run anywhere. |
DiDA coursework |
| Freemind | Mind mapping software that allows you to create a visual representation of an idea or topic to help you understand it.
|
DiDA coursework |
| GIMP | Excellent image editing software that can be used to edit photographs and other bitmap images. Some excellent effects like the ones available in Photoshop and Fireworks make this well worth downloading. |
Image creation/editing (KS3-5) |
| Inkscape | A drawing package that can be used to create professional quality vector graphics. Click here to see some images created using this software. | Vector graphics. |
| MPEG4 file converter | A program to convert files created by video cameras that use MPEG 4 files (the camera we use in school is the Sanyo Xacti CA-6) into files that be edited in Windows Movie Maker. You will also need to install XVid here to be able to edit the files in Movie Maker. |
Video editing (KS3-5) |
| MSWLogo | An environment for writing Logo programs. | Developing Maths and Programming skills (KS3) |
| Netbeans IDE | An environment for writing graphics oriented Java programs. This version works with BlueJ projects too. | Developing Java applications (KS5) |
| OpenOffice | Allows you to work with Microsoft Office documents, e.g. Word, Excel and so on - without buying Microsoft Office. Amazing that this is completely free! If you have a Sandisk Cruzer - there is a version that installs onto the Cruzer and that can be run anywhere. |
Creating and editing spreadsheets, presentations, databases, word processor documents and web pages (KS3-5) DiDA coursework |