1. ICT POLICY Donna Varney Autumn 2005 Adapted from the Becta requirements

2. What is an ICT policy? A whole school ICT policy sets out aims and objectives for the teaching and use of ICT in the school. It offers clear guidance on the measures that need to be in place if the requirements of the policy are to be met.

3. Review and adoption An ICT policy is subject to regular reviews in common with other school policies, and should be reflected in the school’s ICT priorities in the curriculum development plans. A policy is agreed and adopted by the school’s governing body.

4. Who need to know about the policy? new teachers to the school existing teachers non-teaching curriculum support staff parents.

5. New teachers to the school will use the policy to: understand the school’s approach to the teaching and use of ICT obtain guidance in the way they should be using ICT in their lessons find out what support may be available to develop further their ICT skills, knowledge and capabilities

6. Existing teachers will use the policy to: gauge what access they should have to ICT facilities and equipment assess future ICT developments and their impact on their work learn how other year group teachers are using ICT, helping their cross-curricular planning understand the responsibilities involved in the teaching and use of ICT offer guidance on the extent to which ICT should be incorporated into their individual lessons and subject schemes of work know what procedures exist to monitor and assess pupils’ ICT capability.

7. Non-teaching curriculum support staff will use the policy to: find out what level of ICT provision should be available to support individual pupil development and achievement find out which individuals are responsible for maintaining the schools ICT infrastructure and installing software provide information about the existing infrastructure and any future development plans

8. Parents will use the policy to: find out what ICT experiences their children should have at school help them to decide how to support their child’s learning with ICT compare the provision and approach of different schools.

9. What should be in the Policy? the delivery of the National Curriculum ICT programme of study at Key Stages 1 and 2 (for example, ‘There will be a one-hour lesson per week for all pupils throughout Key Stage 2.’) ICT experiences for pupils in the foundation stage the main aims of using ICT within the school (for example, ‘ICT will be used to support the teaching of all subjects.’) health and safety in the use of ICT resources (for example, ‘The heights and backs of all chairs must be adjustable.’) staff’s continual professional development in ICT skills and understanding (for example, ‘One whole day per year will be devoted to ICT training for all staff.’)

10. What should be in the Policy? Cont… technical audits (for example, ‘An inventory will be kept of all serial numbers and licences.’) ICT skills audits (for example, ‘A questionnaire will be distributed to all staff each year.’) technical support (for example, ‘There will be a part-time technician shared with...’) in-class support (for example, ‘All support staff will be trained in the use of ICT.’) the allocation of roles and responsibilities for ICT in the school (for example, ‘The ICT co-ordinator will be responsible for…’) the use of software and hardware across the school (for example, ‘Each year group will be issued with a minimum of one portable projector and laptop. Every classroom will have a network outlet.’)

11. What should be in the Policy? Cont… the use of software and hardware across the school (for example, ‘Each year group will be issued with a minimum of one portable projector and laptop. Every classroom will have a network outlet.’) the role of ICT in supporting extra curricular activities (for example, ‘ICT facilities will be available after school.’) the use of ICT by parents and the local community (for example, ‘The school will run a family ICT course each term.’) data protection issues ICT in school administration (for example, ‘Registration will be electronic. All staff will have access to the pupil management system.’) the use of the Internet (for example, ‘Access to web sites will be filtered and all pupils and parents must agree to the Acceptable Use Policy.’).

12. Implementation of the policy The school’s curriculum development plans should ensure that aspects of the ICT policy are fully implemented. http://www.ictadvice.org.uk/index.php?sect ion=ap&rid=174&catcode=as_pl_dev_03& pagenum=3&NextStart=1http://www.ictadvice.org.uk/index.php?sect ion=ap&rid=174&catcode=as_pl_dev_03& pagenum=3&NextStart=1