Upperby Primary School
ICT Policy
Introduction to Information & Communication Technology
The world that we live in now a digital one, where communication, business and running our everyday lives
are increasingly done with the use of ICT. Therefore, it is important that the pupils at Upperby Primary
School gain the knowledge and understanding to have the confidence and capability to make the best use
of ICT in their own lives, now and in the future.
ICT is, by its very nature, a cross-curricular subject. It is concerned with the acquisition, storage,
manipulation and telecommunication of information and involves creating, collecting, organising, storing,
processing and presenting information for specific purposes by electronic means.
Aim of ICT in our School
At Upperby primary School we aim:
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To provide pupils with opportunities to develop their ICT capabilities in all areas specified by the
National Curriculum
To allow pupils to gain confidence and enjoyment from their ICT activities and to develop skills that
extend and enhance their learning throughout the curriculum
To develop logical thinking and problem solving
To provide opportunities for pupils to gain knowledge and ICT tools. These include CD-ROMs, webbased learning, word-processors, databases, graphing packages, branching tools, screen turtles etc.
To encourage pupils to become autonomous, independent users of ICT both as a learning resource
and as a discipline in its own right
To develop a whole school approach to ICT ensuring continuity and progression.
Role of the ICT Co-ordinator
The ICT co-ordinator plays an important role in achieving these aims. Therefore it is important that all
members of staff are aware of this role, as outlined below:
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Highlight areas for the development of ICT throughout the school with the use of a
development plan
Co-ordinate the purchase and maintenance of equipment
Ensure that all equipment and software is safe and suitable to use
Review INSET needs of all staff and provide suitable training opportunities
Disseminate relevant information from courses and newsletters to all members of staff
Keep up to date with developments and new technologies
Ensure that there is a whole school approach to planning, recording and assessment of ICT
through regular monitoring
To work closely with the school ICT staff to share knowledge and understanding
Lee Garratt – Upperby Primary School ICT Policy March 2013
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Ensure that this policy is being successfully implemented throughout the school
Review and update this policy periodically
Professional Development
INSET will be provided as school-based training or through courses run by the LEA in the form of LIN (or
other suitable means). The ICT co-ordinator will discuss with colleagues their INSET needs and
encourage them to attend relevant courses or plan whole staff INSET through staff meetings or INSET
days.
Curriculum Organisation
We follow our own scheme of work based upon the Oxfordshire scheme and the Kent ICT themes,
which are cross-curricular by nature. ICT activities are to be based upon topics of work being done in
the classroom, where the children are learning, developing and consolidating ICT skills.
Each classroom has 2 P.C.s that are networked and internet linked. Each teacher has all appropriate
software for their class installed onto their computers. This includes all software needed to carry out
the scheme of work. More software is available from the ICT co-ordinator or ICT staff.
In addition to this, each class has an allocated time each week to visit the ICT suite (see attached
timetable), where ICT lessons are carried out by the ICT staff. The class teacher is responsible for
detailed half-termly planning of each unit, which is to be handed to and discussed with the relevant ICT
staff on the first day of each new half-term. The ICT staff will plan short-term lessons to cover the
learning objectives and will also allow them the flexibility to change and adapt planning as necessary to
meet the needs of individual classes or groups.
All classrooms are fitted with Interactive whiteboards, sound systems, VCR players and document
cameras. These pieces of equipment play a vital role in conveying the importance of ICT to the children
as well as being an excellent tool for learning and raising standards right across the curriculum.
Teaching and Learning Strategies
Teachers are expected to employ a range of teaching and learning strategies, including:
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Using the computer (or interactive whiteboard) to demonstrate to groups or the whole
class.
Individual or paired work
Appropriate discussion and evaluation of computer activities by the pupils.
Use of ‘Senteo’ voting pads during lesson time
Use of ‘ASUS mini laptops’ in the classroom to support their learning.
Use of digital cameras/video cameras.
Use of sound recording equipment such as ‘talking tins/easyspeak microphones’.
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Differentiation should be achieved both through differentiated activities and differentiation of
intended outcomes. Teachers are expected to intervene where appropriate to reinforce an idea or
offer opportunities for extension work.
The scheme of work should ensure continuity and progression. The school recognises that
progression in ICT involves four main aspects that need to be accounted for in planning:
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The progressive development of pupils’ skills, knowledge and understanding
The breadth of ICT applications used
Lee Garratt – Upperby Primary School ICT Policy March 2013
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The increased complexity of contexts in which ICT is applied
The growing autonomy of the pupil in their learning.
Teachers should ensure that pairs of children sharing the computer are fully aware of what is expected
of them. Only one child should use the keyboard/mouse at any one time, while the other observes,
makes comments and checks for accuracy. If any child is not actively involved they should be working
away from the computer.
Record Keeping and Assessment
Each teacher will keep a portfolio of children’s ICT work where appropriate. This will provide evidence
for weekly formative assessment and also for summative assessment at the end of each unit and for
report writing.
The ICT staff will make judgements about the children during their lessons, which will be fed back
to the class teacher when appropriate. Short-term planning will highlight expectations for the end of
the lesson, and this is intended to be annotated and discussed with the class teacher whenever
possible. The ICT staff will keep records of children’s levels of attainment for each learning outcome
and pass these to the Class Teacher at the end of each term. Specific ICT assessment software will be
used periodically to assess learning and used to make judgements and inform future planning. At the
end of the year, all of this information will be collated by the ICT co-ordinator to monitor ICT standards
throughout the school and to set targets.
Equal Opportunities
All pupils, regardless of race, gender or ability should have the same opportunity to develop their ICT
capability. We aim to ensure that all our pupils:
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Have equal access to ICT resources
Have equal opportunities to develop their ICT capability
Use software/hardware that is appropriate to their needs
Staff should keep a record of all individuals/pairs/groups of children who have had access to the ICT
resources specific to each unit of work so that each child has an equal opportunity to use them.
Pupils with Special Educational Needs benefit from the use of ICT as it enhances access to the
curriculum, and this in turn encourages motivation and the development of skills ensuring higher
achievement. Therefore, the opportunities to utilise ICT should be maximised.
Health and Safety
It is imperative that all electrical equipment is kept in good working order. This is checked annually by
an outside agency. However, to ensure the health and safety of pupils and staff the following guidelines
must be adhered to:
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Pupils should not be allowed to switch power on/off at the mains
Equipment should be situated well away from water
All plugs and leads should be checked regularly for safety
Pupils should not be allowed to carry electrical equipment
Any leads should not be allowed to trail across open areas or doorways
Lee Garratt – Upperby Primary School ICT Policy March 2013
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Children and staff must not use the computer for long periods of time to avoid eye
damage from screen glare
Children and staff must sit in an upright position at 90° angle to the screen, using the
mouse and keyboard appropriately to avoid RSI.
Reviews
This policy will be reviewed every 2 years, last done March 2012. The next review be: June
2014
Lee Garratt – Upperby Primary School ICT Policy March 2013