Belfast Model
School for Girls

Belfast Model School for Girls has been named as the region's top school when it comes to the use of technology at Becta's ICT Excellence Awards 2009.

The prestigious accolade of 'Best Whole School' is awarded to just one school in the region annually. The school beat off stiff competition to collect the award at Bristol's newest science venue, At-Bristol, last night (Thursday 19 November).

To win the award, teaching staff had to demonstrate they have successfully placed technology at the heart of both learning and wider school management. By helping to enhance teaching and bringing lessons to life, the school has shown clearly how technology makes a difference, not just in the classroom, but at home within the family, and across other school activities.

Belfast Model School for Girls wowed the judges with effective and innovative use of ICT in everything they do. The vast majority (94 per cent) of the pupils achieve GCSE in ICT and all have high levels of skills in the use of ICT which are transferable to other areas of the curriculum.

The school also believes that using its learning platform - the website that allows pupils, staff and parents to securely access the school online - places the school at the heart of the community.

Stephen Crowne, Chief Executive of Becta, said:

"We believe that integrating technology across the entire curriculum - not just using it in ICT lessons - is essential to higher achievement in schools and it makes lessons and learning more enjoyable and rewarding.

The ICT Excellence Awards are a fantastic way to show just what can be achieved to boost the achievements of young people using technology. It is a great pleasure to reward the hard work of all schools that entered. Belfast Model School for Girls, is a shining example of what can be done. Becta is committed to helping schools achieve similar results so that all learners have the opportunity to get the most from their time at school."

On winning the award, Johnny Graham, Principal at Belfast Model Schools for Girls said:

"We are thrilled to win the ICT Excellence Award and would like to thank everyone who has worked hard to achieve it. It's a real credit to the school staff and an affirmation of the good work they do. We are delighted that the commitment of the whole school to fully embed ICT in the curriculum has been recognised by Becta. It demonstrates the high quality educational experience of the pupils and the work of the staff in sharing good practice within the school and the wider educational community."

The ICT Excellence Awards is an awards scheme open to all schools which aims to identify and reward excellence in Information and Communications Technology (ICT). The awards acknowledge UK schools approaching technology in outstanding or innovative ways. With the event in its fourth year, it is leading the way within the education system and is one of the most important and respected awards in the teaching calendar.