Schools presented with awards for excellence in ICT
Released: 27 November 2007
Staff at Wolverhampton schools are celebrating after being presented with prestigious awards which recognise how they use technology in outstanding and innovative ways.
Stow Heath Junior School and Trinity Church of England Primary School have been given Information Communication Technology (ICT) Excellence Awards by Becta, the Government's lead partner in the development and delivery of its technology strategy for schools.
The national awards reward schools that have used ICT to take significant steps to improve the quality of education for their pupils and, in doing so, also create benefits for the whole community.
Stow Heath Junior School was named the winner in the Learning and Teaching category and Trinity Church of England Primary School was a runner-up in the Best Whole School (primary) category.
Councillor Christine Irvine, Wolverhampton City Council’s Cabinet Member for Schools, said: “It is fantastic news that the groundbreaking work in ICT taking place in Wolverhampton schools is being recognised at a national level.
“The head teachers and staff involved thoroughly deserve these awards for promoting ICT in ways which genuinely benefit the children and young people who attend the schools as well as the wider community.”
Stow Heath Junior School was recognised for, among other attributes, its commitment to improving children’s ICT capability and for being at the leading edge in introducing new technology.
Every classroom has two computers, which are updated regularly and the use of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) is integrated into teaching and learning, alongside laptops and traditional notebooks. All teaching plans include web-based resources, whiteboard resources and software.
Becta’s awards case study says: “ICT is embedded in the ethos and right across the curriculum…. The PDAs help learning, outside and inside the classroom.
“There is innovative use of PDAs to synchronise and hand work in electronically, as well as easy peer and self-assessment. This is a good example of technology serving education, rather than the other way around.”
It adds that pupils are enthusiastic and talk easily about their involvement in ICT processes.
Stow Heath Junior Head teacher, Tim Franks, said: “This is very much an award for teachers, children and parents who have shown a commitment for many years to learning through ICT.
“All the work that led to this award was initiated and carried through by staff. My thanks go to them for their hard work, initiative and knowledge.”
Becta’s case study for Trinity Church of England Primary explains that ICT is at the heart of the school and commends several aspects of its ICT strategy including how the school’s e-learning co-ordinator works closely with the local authority and is well supported by the wider leadership team.
The children at the school all have handheld Educational Digital Assistants, and interactive whiteboards and laptops are also used during lessons.
The case study says: “ICT is a significant part of this inner-city school whose vision is a developing learning community, equipping children for the 21st century….
“Much of Trinity’s work centres on raising pupils’ self-esteem and ensuring the curriculum matches their needs, bringing meaning to their learning….It is very evident these pupils are motivated and engaged in their learning. The children are extremely enthusiastic about their EDAs and say they even make homework fun.”
The schools were presented with their awards at a ceremony at The International Convention Centre in Birmingham on 5 November.
Both schools were also recognised with ICT Excellence Awards at last year’s ceremony.
Issued by the press office.