Sheffield infant school receives national award for use of ICT

Royd Nursery and Infant School, in Deepcar, has been awarded with the NAACE information and communication technology (ICT) Mark, recognising its use of computers and technology to boost learning across all areas the school.

The National Association for Education Technology, or NAACE, is a professional association that represents the voice of the UK education technology community in the schooling sector at a national and international level and is recognised by Ofsted.

The ICT Mark is designed to support schools with the teaching of computing and is offered to schools that have completed the Self Review Framework (SRF).

Sean Sly, deputy headteacher at Royd Nursery Infants said: “At the start of the project NAACE provided us with Self Review Framework which helped us to focus on three main aspects: understanding where we were as a school with our technology strategy, planning the next stages of our technology strategy and to record our progress.

"We used the Self Review Framework to help further strengthen our effective use of technology into teaching, learning and school management. In order to be ready to apply for the award the school has to achieve a Level 2 across all elements.

"Our staff are highly skilled and dedicated and as a result Royd Nursery Infant School achieved Level 1 across all elements. We are delighted with the outcome.”

Assessors from NAACE said the Royd has a “well-planned computing and cross-curricular ICT programme that is given a high profile” and noted how a range of technology is used in the classroom such as programmable robots, presentation software and interactive whiteboards.

Louise Jones, executive headteacher of both Royd Nursery Infant School and Deepcar St John’s C of E Primary School, said: “The report was absolutely stunning. To achieve Level 1 across all elements which is the highest level shows what a high quality staff we have.

"We have a really broad and balanced curriculum that excites and engages our pupils and it also prepares them for the future.”

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