Ballyclare High School Tops UK Charts in ICT Delivery
25 June 2007
Ballyclare High School has been officially recognised as the UK's top secondary school for its delivery of ICT (Information Communication Technologies) to it pupils and local community.
As the only NI school to receive a UK-wide Becta ICT Excellence Award, Ballyclare has been recognised for the innovative way in which its ICT investment and teaching is benefiting the whole community - both inside the outside the school gate.
Working in close partnership with its strategic ICT provider , Northgate Managed Services, Ballyclare HS has established an exemplary ICT enabled learning centre, which ensures the integration of ICT into the everyday learning experience of pupils. The wider community is also benefiting from the school's achievements as the facilities are used after school hours for a wide variety of evening classes and adult learning - helping to improve and develop the skills of many different groups of people.
Northgate, which provides an ongoing ICT managed service to the Ballyclare HS, as well as every other school in NI as part of its Classroom 2000 contract, has played a vital role in helping the school achieve its very ambitious goals.
"We congratulate Ballyclare HS for its very positive and forward thinking approach to ICT, which has culminated in this important national accolade," said Stuart Gunning, Client Director, Education, Northgate Managed Services, and also an ex-pupil of Ballyclare HS. "The school really does exemplify how the integration of ICT into the everyday learning process can reap positive benefits for children and adults alike. We look forward to working in partnership with the school in the years ahead, to ensure Ballyclare retains its pole position as an educational leader in ICT delivery."
Commenting on the school's unique approach which has led to its national success, senior teacher Trevor Martin said:
"Our mission is to 'develop life-long learners in a caring, creative community' and we feel this award is an positive endorsement for our achievements to date. By adopting a flexible approach we have ensured ICT is a large part of the everyday learning practices of as many different people as possible - our staff, our pupils and the wider community."
Celebrating the strength of its partnership with Northgate and confirming the school's position in ICT development, Headmaster David Knox added:
"I'm very proud of the successes of the school and particularly for this formal recognition which places us at the forefront of ICT learning in the UK. Our pupils have enjoyed success at all levels over the years and increasingly I believe that the effective integration of ICT into the classroom has made an important contribution to that achievement. Our pupils are gaining value and our results prove that they are benefiting from the innovative approach to learning that we have embraced."
