The Deanes School Our ICT Journey

Our Starting Point SLT residential in November 2004 Started January 2005 SWOT analysis Interviews with all staff Interviews with groups of students

Key Findings Budget deficit Ad-hoc leadership structure Lack of training for all staff Low morale Staff instability and complacency Lack of confidence in the use of ICT Unreliable hardware No strategic vision for ICT Three year decline in GCSE results

The Way Forward Shared vision Revised improvement plan with ICT at the centre Restructuring of Middle and Senior Leadership Teams Financial commitment to ICT as a tool for raising attainment

The Deanes School Our Steps to Successful Change

January 2006 –Visited BETT –VTLE options are investigated

February/March 2006 –SLT attend SLICT training

March 2006 –Innovations group is created –BECTA e-Confidence matrix is completed by faculties

April 2006 –a new ICT Development plan is developed and presented to Governors –RM carry out an audit of ICT infrastructure and whole school provision

May 2006 –Tablet PCs are purchased and trialled for WCT by Innovations group

June 2006 –RM report back to SLT and Governors Finance Committee –Decision is made to upgrade ‘backbone’ of the network and add wireless access. –Also decided to implement Kaleidos VTLE as school wide vehicle for ICT based Teaching and Learning delivery

July 2006 –New technician appointed

August 2006 –new servers, CC3 system, and wireless access are installed. –Existing infrastructure is upgraded to provide more robust service. –Library is re-modelled.

September 2006 –Staff laptops are moved across to new T&L system (not without a few teething issues!) –Maths Department receives training in Kaleidos and Maths Alive. Innovations group receive first day’s training in Kaleidos –Deanes is awarded “Pioneer” status in recognition of our commitment and vision to ICT across the school – press coverage in several local newspapers –Remodelled Learning Resource Centre opened

November 2006 – Innovations group receive 2nd day of Kaleidos training –First RM Case Study carried out and plans for second case study firmed up –Audit of staff competencies with ICT carried out and HoF introduced to the new ICTAC (ICT Across the Curriculum) framework –Staff drop in training sessions run on Tuesdays –RM to work with the Science department to enhance Whole Class Teaching strategies

January 2007 –Visited BETT –Started discussions about Portal + –Purchased wireless laptops for Health and Social Care

February 2007 –Trainee Technician appointed –Accepted on Field Trial for Thin Client

March 2007 –Portal + installed –Portal + Training

Impact of ICT developments Wireless Access –All staff laptops are now wireless enabled.

CC3 Network Software –Auditor – able to track usage of computers –Tutor 3 – staff control the teaching environment –Help Desk – since the installation over 300 support calls dealt with. Some involved technicians remotely connecting to our network and rectifying problems. –Easylink – provides access to staff and pupils’ work on the network from any computer connected to the internet. –Management Console –the biggest development from a technicians perspective.

Remodeling of Library –Since the opening of the library, only 5 out of 486 sessions have not been booked

Introduction of Kaleidos –initial feedback is very positive

Training –Technicians –Innovations Group –Maths Faculty –Science Faculty –All staff

Whole School Impact Staff more confident Improved communication Increased admin efficiency Improved GCSE results Positive impact on staff retention

Next Steps E-Learning Manager Staff restructuring of IT support (FITS) Collaboration with Sixth Form College Development of International links Vision planning towards our school of the future Commitment to innovation