ICT Mark Newsletter for Schools and Nurseries: September 2011
Welcome to the ICT Mark Newsletter
Welcome back to a new school year from all of us at the Naace office. We have big lists of what we want to achieve this year...and we expect you do to! This Newsletter issue is firmly focussed on the Self-review Framework and the ICT Mark- two aspects of the highly respected scheme to support all schools and nurseries with their ICT; we hope that these feature on your list of achievements in prospect for this year.
If you have not come across the scheme before (and over 2000 schools have successfully achieved the Award), it is designed to provide a school with all of the support it needs in managing its ICT. Since ICT permeates all aspects of the work of a school, through the administration, the entire curriculum and the teaching, getting it right is a big and responsible job. The Self-review Framework is there to help; it is free to use and there is optional accreditation in the ICT Mark when you have everything in place.
Getting your ICT sorted with the SRF
If you didn't manage to complete your journey on the Self-review Framework (SRF) last year, then now is the time. You can benefit from the wealth of structure and support contained in the SRF to recognise your success in working towards a 21st Century solution for ICT in your school, and it is totally free of charge! As Michael Gove said recently ... 'we need to look at the way the very technological innovations we are racing to keep up with can help us along the way'. Make the most of free access to the SRF online tool to help prepare your school(s) to respond to these challenges. Progress your own career in doing so.
Go for your ICT Mark now!
There has never been a better time to get the ICT Mark. Over 2000 schools hold and value the ICT Mark - you can join this inspired group! If you have met or exceeded the ICT Mark threshold in all aspects of the Self-review Framework and have completed all of your supporting commentary, then click here to contact the Naace ICT Mark office and we'll get your assessment organised - what better way to start the academic year than to celebrate your success by achieving the ICT Mark award! We will look forward to seeing you at BETT 2012 to receive your award.
ICT Mark run out?
The ICT Mark lasts for three years and the majority of schools opt to renew the Mark when the time comes. ICT Mark renewals are tailored to your circumstances so you can have a full assessment visit, consultancy support prior to renewal, or an assessment without a visit. Normally once your Mark has expired you will need a full assessment visit renewal but until October 2011 all schools that have received the Mark can avail themselves of all the options (see here for details).
Contact Claire Lloyd on 0115 9457242 or claire.lloyd@naace.co.uk.
Recognition for ICT Mark School Leaders
If you have been responsible for coordinating your school's journey to the ICT Mark you can now apply, as an individual, to receive the Naace ICT CPD Award.
The Naace ICT CPD Award Scheme is intended for educators interested in developing their knowledge and practice regarding ICT. Its four certificates enable candidates to select a point of entry according to their personal or professional needs. For many school leaders who have piloted a school through the ICT Mark this scheme represents a natural next step in their own professional development.
Reflecting on the work you have undertaken to acheive the ICT Mark with your school, you may wish to write up a short project, or something a little more detailed and reaching out further to others, reflecting on the process, experiences and achievements of you, your colleagues and your school. Naace has an Extended Award for small projects, and Enhanced Award where you need to develop a small research project and finally an Advanced Award for a more in depth study. In each case, a mentor is appointed to assist you in your reflection and write up.
Any or all of these are likely to be appropriate for an ICT subject leader depending on your interests. Having acheived the Naace ICT CPD Award there is the Masters level award of Certified Naace Professional should you wish to engage in a more substantial piece of work.
Full details of the Award scheme are here.
Contact Chris Stott at chris.stott@naace.co.uk.
3rd Millennium Learning Award announcement
It will be focused on celebrating schools' achievements in creating an environment and curriculum that stimulate more and better learning, presented in ways that will inform and inspire parents. There will be a pilot in the Autumn 2011 in which schools that wish to be at the forefront in gaining the Award will work closely with consultants and advisers who plan to be the assessors accrediting the Award.
If you are interested and would like more information please register your interest at the link here.
Naace Events
Supporting the SRF and working towards the ICT Mark
Naace has developed a Self-review Framework (SRF) support course for personnel who are working with schools and within schools to support their progression through the SRF, with special emphasis on how to assist schools in achieving ICT Mark accreditation.
Whether you are a consultant working with schools, or are school based and endeavouring to complete the Self-review Framework for your own school, this course has much to offer.
As a consultant supporting schools through this development process you will have the opportunity to establish positive relationships with schools that may lead to further work. During the course we will discuss proactive ways to develop marketing strategies to engage schools with the SRF and ICT Mark.
If you are working within a school we will look at strategies for engaging your fellow professionals in collaborative ways to facilitate both progression through the framework and swifter accreditation.
The next course will be in London on 12 October 2011 at The Holiday Inn London Bloomsbury. Please click here for more information including how to book your place.
BETT 2012
BETT 2012: 11 - 14 January 2012, Olympia London
BETT is one of the largest education events in the UK. As well as hundreds of exhibitors, BETT also presents visitors with a comprehensive CPD seminar programme. The seminars attract all levels of educational professionals, from all types of establishments.Come along to the Naace stand
This year Naace will be on stand J42 again, the same stand as last year. The Naace staff will be on hand to demonstrate the new and exciting things Naace has to offer to its members. A programme of events for the Naace stand will be available shortly.
ICT Mark presentations
Each year Naace joins with schools across the country to celebrate their success with the ICT Mark- this year will be no exception. All schools gaining the Award this term will be invited to have it presented at the BETT Show (along with a glass of something to celebrate and a good crowd of onlookers!). See you there.
Registering information: Do this NOW and use the priority Naace booking code - E500.
EMAP track how many Naace members book through this route and offer special incentives to Naace members as a result. So please do support your association in this way and unlock other opportunities in doing so. As a result of our success in booking delegates in previous years we have been offered exclusive opportunities to propose and curate content for the BETT Seminar - Learn Live - Programme.
Register online at www.naace.co.uk/events/bett2012 with priority code E500.
Schools tell us what they think
We get a lot of feedback from schools who engage with the ICT Mark (not surprising because we ask them!). The overwhelming response from schools is positive and we thought we would share a little of this with you (all feedback from Summer 2011):
- We have found the assessment process hugely beneficial to the school, the assessor was helpful and we were grateful for the feedback.
- Thank you for making the process so straight forward.
- Very swift process - we are most pleased.
- We found the whole process extremely useful. It was an excellent tool to use to establish our current strengths and achievements and to plan our next steps.
- Very friendly & supportive. Process of renewal was very quick and straightforward - we'd encourage all schools to reapply.
- The assessor went out of his way to make us feel at ease with the process without any loss of rigour. The verbal feedback was very clear and concise - both in terms of where we were achieving well and suggested areas of development. An excellent process from which the school has benefitted greatly. Thank you.
- The assessor was very thorough and professional in the manner in which she engaged with staff and pupils. Staff and governor representatives reported that she was very receptive to the school's perspective but also undertook the role of critical friend effectively.
- The assessor made the whole process very calm and gave us plenty of opportunity to showcase what we were proud of while still asking the important questions. The report was very detailed and very personal to the school.
- Incredibly swift and efficient process - thank you.
Feature School
Belfast Hospital School
At Belfast Hospital School we recognise that ICT can improve the quality of teaching and learning and so help raise standards. ICT is at the heart of our commitment to improving learning for all children who are out of school long-term because of illness.
In recent years we have been using creative technologies with the children in order to promote self-esteem and confidence at a time in their lives when ill-health has prevented them from learning with their peers. Key Stages 1 and 2 children have been engaged in 2-D animation projects, exploring topics such as Road Safety, Cyber Bullying and Safety in the Sun. Sample animations can be viewed on our website.
Key Stage 3 children have been using Apple Macs, iStop Motion and iMovie to create their own mini films. They have created a claymation film describing a hospital stay from a child’s perspective. The film shows the “fun” side of being in hospital – meeting new friends, playing tricks on the nursing staff and of course, coming to the hospital school and learning new ICT skills. This is shown to the children when they arrive in the ward and it will soon be uploaded to our website.
As well as developing their ICT skills, the use of animation and film-making has helped the children to cope with their illnesses, often distracting them from the medical procedures. It has given them a focus during prolonged periods of hospitalisation and those involved often leave hospital with a great sense of achievement.
Please see here for the Feature schools page and link to this article with accompanying photographs.
Come to the Naace Festival of ICT
Come along and celebrate the Naace Festival of ICT. This day is for all those involved with schools to celebrate ICT within schools and take part in the TeachMeet. There will be a full programme of keynotes and seminars for all tastes, showcasing award winning schools and, we hope, Naace Impact Award winners. Get your ICT Mark Award presented! Keep the date: Saturday 10 March 2012.
Further details at: www.naace.co.uk/events/conference2012
Naace Art Competition for Schools
Put your ICT skills to use and be in with a chance to win fantastic ICT tools donated by Naace Partners.
Please visit: www.naace.co.uk/events/conference2012/schoolcompetition for more information and feel free to download the flyer below to share the details of the competition with fellow colleagues.
Naace Impact Awards 2012
Got something good going on in your school or service? Making an impact? This Award could be just what you need to spread the word. See full details here (www.naace.co.uk/events/conference2012/naaceimpactawards2012). Entry deadline: 30 September 2011.
The categories for this year are:
- Award for life long achievement
- Award for Adviser or Consultant or Support Service
- Award for ICT Technician of the Year
- Award for Collaborative group project
- Award for Supporting Inclusion in any phase
- Award for SecondaryAward for Primary
- Award for EYFS
Being in touch
We are a small and friendly team and would love to hear from you. If you want to explore the possibilities for the SRF in your school or nursery, or go for the ICT Mark, or indeed find out more about the work of Naace then please do be in touch. If you are not already a member you can get more information here. If you would like to receive information about other Naace activities that might be of interest please register your interest here.
If you would like to get together with others from other schools or nurseries nearby for a (free) session with an ICT Mark consultant then let us know and we will get it arranged.
Contact: ictmark@naace.co.uk or phone Claire on 0115 945 7242.