Success for Herringthorpe School

The school is one of just 20 from the country's 25,000 to have reached the finals of the prestigious ICT Excellence Awards 2009 run by Becta - the Government organisation that leads the national drive to improve learning through technology.

Teachers and pupils went head-to-head with other top-of-the-class teachers and students at the national awards ceremony at Bristol's newest science venue, At-Bristol. They were delighted to hear that they had been chosen as runner-up in the Learning Experience - Primary category.

To be shortlisted for the award teaching staff had to demonstrate they had successfully placed technology at the heart of both learning and wider school management.

By helping to enhance teaching and bringing lessons to life, the school has shown clearly how technology makes a difference, not just in the classroom, but at home within the family, and across other school activities.

Jane Fearnley, Head teacher, Herringthorpe Junior School, said:
"We are absolutely thrilled to have achieved so highly, the assessors were very impressed with our creative practice and how well ICT is integrated into our curriculum. They also noted how skilled our children and staff are in the use of ICT,"

Mrs Fearnley went on to praise her team and the support of the Clifton Partnership EiC EAZ, "Everyone is prepared to go the 'extra mile' for the children, I am very proud of them."

Stephen Crowne, Chief Executive of Becta, said:  "We believe that integrating technology across the entire curriculum - not just using it in ICT lessons - is essential to higher achievement in schools and it makes lessons and learning more enjoyable and rewarding.

"The ICT Excellence Awards are a fantastic way to show just what can be achieved to boost the achievements of young people using technology.

"In being short-listed for this award, Herringthorpe Junior School has shown excellent use of technology and is a shining example of what can be done. We wish the students, teachers and parents luck in next year's ceremony."

The ICT Excellence Awards is an awards scheme open to all schools which aims to identify and reward excellence in Information & Communications Technology (ICT).

The awards acknowledge UK schools approaching technology in outstanding or innovative ways. With the event in its fourth year, it is leading the way within the education system and is one of the most important and respected awards in the teaching calendar.