Norfolk Children's Services supports the ICT Mark - Primary Schools

We are currently supporting all primary schools to complete the Becta Self Review Framework. The feedback from both the consultants delivering this support and from schools who have completed this comprehensive self evaluation of ICT is overwhelmingly positive. In most schools it has not only given the head teacher a better understanding and 'demystified' ICT, but also significantly accelerated the progress of ICT development. Here are some head teachers' comments:

	It's made it all more manageable
	Shows us just how well we are doing
	"brilliant", "excellent"
	The process of moving from audit to action plan is very good

As outlined in our e-Learning Strategy, we want to make Norfolk a leader in e-learning and want to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our schools. We will therefore introduce a further support offer. Where schools have achieved a level of e-confidence (highlighted within the Self Review Framework) they are encouraged to apply for the ICT Mark. The ICT Mark represents a national standard for ICT effectiveness and is accredited by BECTA, the government's technology agency. To gain the ICT Mark the school requests a visit from an accredited assessor, who will validate the school's self-evaluation.

The first 10 primary schools achieving the ICT Mark in 2007/08 will be fully reimbursed for the cost of the accreditation visit (approximately £450). Due to budget regulations, we are only able to do this for schools that are meeting the LA criteria for budget balances.

Further information about the ICT Mark and the accreditation process can be found on our website. To apply for this support, please contact Lisa Poploski.