National ICT Award for Caedraw Primary School Caedraw Primary School has received a national ICT excellence award from the British Educational Communications Technology Agency (BECTA) for its outstanding practice and innovative ways in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
On Monday 5th November 2007, 24 schools from across the UK were presented with their awards at a ceremony at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham. Caedraw Primary School were announced primary runner-up for the Inclusion Award. Caedraw was shortlisted from a number of schools across the United Kingdom and judged during the Summer term. 6 representatives from the school staff, Governing body and LEA attended the award ceremony on Monday at the ICC in Birmingham where the school was presented with the £1000 prize.
Becta state that:- “The Inclusion category seeks to recognise and reward schools which have developed the use of ICT in a way which supports inclusion and promotes access to learning, particularly beyond the learning of ICT skills. Caedraw Primary School’s inclusive practice is excellent. There is terrific support from parents and governors alike, and justifiably so. The headteacher’s vision is one of social equity, where children come first and every effort is made to serve the pupils in the best possible way. Caedraw has the ability to look at whatever advice is available in school and beyond, to ensure the best ICT for the pupils. The determination of the staff to identify appropriate solutions is very evident. Pupils' ICT capability across the school is high and especially so in the learning resource base classes. Many of the physically disabled children have learning difficulties. They work separately in the morning and then integrate with the main stream provision in the afternoon. Among the staff, the attitude to learning is ‘infectious’. They see a need, realise the impact it can have on pupil achievement and want to learn more and more. Leadership is excellent and the parents are great advocates for the school’s work. Parents of children with complex needs feel the school goes that ‘extra mile’ to ensure high quality education in a mainstream setting for their children.”
Last year no Welsh schools received an ICT Excellence Award. This year there were 3 schools in Wales recognised for their outstanding ICT practice.
Caedraw Primary School received a letter from the Education Minister Jane Hutt which states:-“I was delighted to hear that Caedraw Primary School was runner up in the Inclusion Primary category of the 2007 ICT Excellence Awards. It is an outstanding achievement and a well-deserved acknowledgement of the commitment and hard work of the staff in your school - and of the LEA advisors who have supported them."
Councillor Paul Brown, Portfolio Councillor for Integrated Children’s Services stated that: "I am delighted that Caedraw Primary School has been nationally recognised for its outstanding ICT practice. I would like to congratulate the pupils, parents, governors and staff who have achieved this recognition. All concerned have brought great honour to the school’.
Councillor Ray Thomas, Portfolio Councillor for Integrated Children’s Services said: 'It was wonderful to hear that the high standards of pupil ICT capability at Caedraw Primary School, and particularly of those pupils in their learning resource bases, has been recognised on a national platform.'
Leader of the Council, Councillor Harvey Jones commented: "In Merthyr Tydfil, our ambition is to improve skills and attainment across all levels and abilities; Caedraw Primary School is making a remarkable impact on improving the quality of education for all its pupils.'
Jill Watkins, Headteacher at Caedraw Primary School congratulated all the staff and pupils on the wonderful award and thanked parents, Governors and the LEA for their continued support.
Further information about the ICT Excellence Awards or about Caedraw Primary School can be found at:
www.becta.org.uk/excellenceawards
www.caedraw.merthyr.sch.uk
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