Ballyclare High School (NI) gains prestigious national ICT Mark award at a national award ceremony at the BETT Show at Olympia in London on Thursday 10 January 2008

Presenter: Ian Adams, Becta, Executive Director Partnerships, Commissioning, Marketing and Communications

This award is the culmination of a process of review and development of the use of information and communications technology (ICT) within the school. It is linked to an online review tool, known as the Self-review Framework, which helps schools gather evidence about how they use ICT in learning and teaching, and within the management of the school.

The standards of the scheme, which are set nationally, are designed to ensure that the school's investment in ICT equipment is matched by its effective use within lessons. Teachers are expected to have gained suitable skills and understanding to improve learning and teaching where ICT is being used; appropriate systems should also be in place to record pupils' achievements and underpin other key aspects of the school's management.

Developing appropriate policies and teaching plans, training teachers and ensuring that the school's ICT equipment is ready for use involves many members of staff over several months or even longer.

It is important that the use of ICT has a real impact on the experience and progress of pupils within the school. A visiting ICT Mark Assessor will have checked to ensure that pupils are receiving their "entitlement" to ICT within lessons and will also expect to see that the school is using technology to enable learning beyond the normal school day and to improve external links.

Headteacher Mr David Knox (Headmaster) commented:

I am delighted at this recognition of the efforts of staff and pupils to embrace ICT as an integral part of learning at Ballyclare High School. We believe that it is making a difference and we are very pleased that Becta has confirmed that in its ICT Mark assessment.  This is a prestigious UK Quality Mark which sets Ballyclare High School at the cutting edge of education in this country.

The lead member of staff, James Maxwell (Specialist School Manager), involved in ensuring the school was ready for ICT Mark assessment, commented:

The achievement of the ICT Quality Mark highlights the leading role which Ballyclare High is playing in demonstrating the powerful potential of ICT in education. It also consolidates the school’s strong vision and direction for ICT development. For example, we have been using the government’s ICT self-review framework extensively in order to identify strengths, opportunities and areas for development. We are delighted that the assessors have identified this as outstanding practice.

This award was a first for schools in Northern Ireland.

1.      The Self-review Framework is an online tool launched by Becta in April 2006 to assist schools in identifying, improving and benchmarking the use of ICT (Information and Communications Technology) in learning, teaching and management of schools. Schools evaluate their progress against a 5-level scale for aspects of development grouped under eight major elements, such as Curriculum, Leadership and Management, Professional Development, and Impact on Pupil Outcomes. In December 2007, 10,630 schools were registered for the Self-review Framework. http://schools.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=srf

2.      The ICT Mark is an integral part of the Self-review Framework. It is a recognition of a school's achievements in reaching a standard of maturity in their use of technology. This optional accreditation is evidence that the school has undergone an extensive and thorough review of its use of ICT. Award of the ICT Mark is made when the school has satisfied a visiting Assessor that their plans and provision have met or exceeded the national standard. Visits normally last half a day and may include review of curriculum plans, examination of systems and interviews with staff and pupils. In December 2007, 886 schools had been awarded the ICT Mark since the start of the scheme. http://schools.becta.org.uk/ictmark

3.      Becta is the Government's lead partner in the strategic development and delivery of its e-strategy; it leads the national drive to improve learning through technology. We do this by working with industry to ensure we have the right technology for education in place. We also support the education sector to make the best use of technology so that every learner in the UK is able to benefit from its advantages and achieves the best they can. http://www.becta.org.uk

4.      The BETT show is the world's leading educational information and communications technology (ICT) event, with over 20 years dedicated to showcasing the best in UK and international educational technology products, resources and best practice. This annual show, staged at London Olympia for four days in January, now attracts over 600 exhibitors and 30,000 visitors. It is organised by Emap Education. http://www.bettshow.com

5.      Naace is the professional association for those concerned with advancing education through the appropriate use of information and communications technology (ICT). Naace administers the ICT Mark on behalf of Becta. It created the Naacemark for Schools scheme, which was a predecessor of the ICT Mark. http://www.naace.co.uk