Bedwas Juniors Achieves Prestigious ICT Mark

With digital skills becoming a major focus within Welsh education, pupils at Bedwas Junior School, in Caerphilly, have shown they are at the forefront of using technology. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

After successfully passing an extensive external assessment, Bedwas Juniors has been awarded the prestigious ICT Mark. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The award recognises the school’s success in developing the use of technology into the curriculum and school administration, which they were asked to prove while being examined by NAACE, showing it is a forward-thinking, modern school. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

To achieve the ICT Mark, pupils visited outside experts such as Mike Dearden from Dearden Studios, to take part in a range of creative projects, to enhance their learning. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Head Teacher Paul Warren said, “On behalf of Bedwas Junior School, I am delighted to be awarded the ICT Mark. It recognises our positive approach to the use of technology and the benefits it is bringing to our children. We believe technology can be used in every aspect of learning and that is essential our children are equipped for the modern world.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Miss A Slater, who led the project said, ““I am really pleased that the presentation of this award shows recognition of the excellent work that is taking place at Bedwas Junior School. Applying for the award really brought into focus the ICT work that we are doing each and every day. All the children and staff deserve credit for this achievement.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Mark Chambers, NAACE CEO, said “Bedwas Juniors thoroughly deserve the accolade of an ICT Mark accreditation. They clearly demonstrate how important it is to take a whole school approach to using technology in schools. We look forward to working with Bedwas Juniors to demonstrate how technology can have a substantial impact on learner outcomes in the future.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Derek Havard, Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning said, “Congratulations to Bedwas Juniors in achieving this award. Caerphilly council is determined to create opportunities, for local children, to gain the needed skills to excel in the jobs market and acquiring these vital ICT skills will certainly benefit their futures. Achieving this award demonstrates the excellent ICT management and teaching that is taking place in our local schools.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​