YSGOL CAERGEILIOG FOUNDATION SCHOOL

Information Communication Technology

The School’s Vision Statement

THE SCHOOL’S VISION FOR ICT:
Our School aims at developing its current learning culture by making information and communications technology (ICT) the keystone of all its educational provision. Thus it aims at generating a culture where children, young people, families and communities prosper from 21st century opportunities and thus become confident and competent global citizens.

Securing the Vision - Strategic Planning for ICT

In accordance with its commitment to ‘Quality and Excellence in Education’, the School recognisesthat it must be dynamic in all aspects of its educational provision and at the cutting edge of all developments in communication and technology. The School considers this as an integral element in gaining the necessary skills for global citizenship.

As a School, and as individuals, we value integrity, honesty, openness, personal excellence, constructive self-criticism, continual self-improvement, and mutual respect. We are committed to our users and have a passion for technology.

Thus, our School aims atdeveloping its current learning culture by making information and communications technology (ICT)the keystone of all its educational provision. Thus it aims at generating a culture where children, young people, families and communities prosper from 21st century opportunities.

Securing this vision will require actions in the following five key areas:

1. Leadership and Management

To develop leaders and managers who support and drive the development of this 21st century learning culture by:

  • Engaging school leaders in the identification and evaluation of the new technologies and applications as these are developed.
  • Ensuring future leaders can endorse and implement innovative use of ICT
  • Appointing an ICT Technician to the Management Team.
  • Appoint an ICT Co-ordinator to the Management Team with responsibility for the Strategic Development of ICT as a Core Subject and as a tool for the development of all subjects, particularly Mathematics and Science.

2. Learning

To provide a learning environment that will further develop in each pupil that creative interest, enthusiasm and curiosity that will promote the harnessing of this energy to explore the potential of ICT within and beyond the learning community. In order that this is achieved the School will strive to ensure that all pupils :

  • Acquire wider learning skills through the development of ICT as a creative, investigative and problem solving tool
  • Move from collaborative to independent learning ensuring high levels of attainment and achievement.

It will also secure the:

  • Enhancement of the curriculum and learning opportunities for its pupils.
  • Extending the curriculum offer in ICT, with stronger links to other subjects, such as music
  • Making the application and use of ICT paramount to allow for virtual interactive classrooms, on-line access and remote access to curriculum and teaching materials.

3. Teaching

To enable all staff to be confident in identifying opportunities to exploit ICT in order to facilitate collaborative and independent learning the School will:

  • Recruit confident staff with ICT skills and relevant teaching skills
  • Train confident staff with ICT skills and relevant teaching skills
  • Ensure staff supporting additional learning needs access the most effective resources and methodology.
  • Further develop Media Studies throughout the School.
  • Introduce a new Key Stage 2 Computer Suite
  • Further develop its Wireless Infrastructure
  • Further promote the use of Notebooks and Netbooks , particularly at Foundation Phase and Key Stage 1

The school will also:

  • create a stress-free working environment to support teaching and learning. The implementation of workforce reform will require different kinds of facilities for staff, such as quiet work areas and social/recreation facilities.

4. Access

To achieve equal and consistent access to new technologies and applications for all pupils, the School will:

  • Identify access development needs
  • Secure supported access for targeted groups.

5. Resources

The School recognises that it must:

  • Prepare Strategic Budgetary Plans for the effective procurement of resources - in terms of support materials, software and hardware
  • Secure a Planned Investment in Interactive Whiteboards, Resources for the Development of media Studies, Notebook and Netbook Computers
  • Meet the challenge of securing an effective and safe learning environment through ICT that supports all of the above themes and aspirations.