10 November 2008
Easy as I C T for Maes yr Haul!
A Bridgend school has been named best in Wales for ICT.
Maes yr Haul Primary in Broadlands beat off competition from comprehensives and primaries across Wales to win the Best Whole School Award at the BECTA ICT Excellence Awards 2008.
For this award, schools must demonstrate that their strategy and vision for ICT stretches across the whole school and beyond, and is having a clear impact on the outcomes for pupils, staff, parents and the wider community.
Maes yr Haul, which has 500 pupils, faced a rigorous inspection process by a team of external judges who were full of praise for headteacher Pam Mahoney and her team.
Judges noted how ICT plays an integral part in pupils’ learning and how the children make confident use of broadcasting techniques, uploading weekly podcasts to the school's excellent website.
They described Maes yr Haul as "an excellent school, where staff have great opportunities to develop under a visionary head".
This year, judging was particularly tough with an increased number of entries and a noticeably higher standard across the board.
Stephen Crowne, Chief Executive of Becta, said: “Schools that still believe technology should only be used in ICT lessons are missing the point. Technology can help turn a school around and our winning schools are wonderful examples of what we can be achieved today with the right attitude to technology.
“These awards are about rewarding the hard work of our best schools and encouraging others to step up to the challenge. There is strong evidence that technology significantly improves results, yet despite this, only one twenty per cent of schools and colleges using technology to its full potential. We are determined to see all schools putting technology at the heart of learning and reaping the benefits.”
Mrs Mahoney, her ICT co-ordinator Wesley Keirl, deputy head Beryl Taylor, Chair of Governors Councillor Cleone Westwood and Les Howells from Bridgend County Borough Council travelled to BECTA’s prestigious awards ceremony in Sheffield to collect the award on behalf of staff and pupils.
Mrs Mahoney said: “I am thrilled and delighted by this award. This is recognition that ICT is not only an integral part of teaching and learning at Maes yr Haul, but also that we are using ICT to develop creativity, high levels of communication and collaborative working, both within our school and our community. It also recognises that we cater for the additional needs of our pupils at either end of the spectrum creating a personalised learning continuum.”
Councillor Alana Davies, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, added: “This is a fantastic achievement by Maes yr Haul which is leading the way in this important area. It is wonderful to know that a Bridgend County Borough school is a flagship for ICT and I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to Mrs Mahoney, her staff and her pupils.”
Find out more about the school at www.maesyrhaul.com.
- Last Updated: 11/11/2008
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