The answers can be found through the selfreview framework, an online tool designed to help schools evaluate their use of ICT and plan effectively for their future investment and development, according to Becta’s Assistant Director for schools, Mike Briscoe.

“The self-review framework offers a straightforward process for identifying strengths and weaknesses in current ICT use and making the most of ICT investment.

“It also helps schools to enrich the curriculum, improve communication across the whole school, reduce administrative workload and improve their links with the wider community.” “This is an important way in which we can help schools harness the opportunities offered by new technologies,” he said. The self-review framework was developed by Becta, the Government’s lead partner in the strategic development and delivery of its estrategy for the schools and learning and skills sectors, in conjunction with schools and college leaders plus a range of partners. These include the Department for Education and Skills, Ofsted, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), Training and Development Agency (TDA), National College for School Leadership (NCSL), the National Strategies, Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) and Naace, the professional association for those concerned with advancing education through the appropriate use of information and communications technology, as well as a range of industry partners.

Launched at the end of March 2006, it has been designed to enable head teachers and senior managers to take a whole-school approach to their use of ICT and to benchmark their performance against established best practice. By adopting the framework, schools can find ways to make more effective use of ICT to enhance learning outcomes and ensure that investment is tied more closely to the achievement of organisational goals for attainment and performance. The close collaboration between agencies and partners has resulted in a common language and a coherent approach to ICT improvement across the education sector which is helping schools embed the use of ICT in ways that will engage learners, support practitioners and accelerate improvement across all aspects of their operations.

Becta’s research shows that up to 80 per cent of education providers would benefit from adopting the self-review framework as a means of achieving ICT improvement. Based on the tried and tested maturity model concept that has proved highly successful in helping many organisations to manage change successfully, the self-review framework sets out eight elements for schools to focus on, covering all aspects of organisational performance.

They are: leadership and management, curriculum, learning and teaching, assessment, professional development, extending opportunities for learning, resources and a careful look at the impact (of ICT) on pupil outcomes. School leaders can assess their use of ICT against designated levels of ICT embeddedness and identify areas where improvements can be made.

An action plan can then be developed, with its implementation supported by practical guidance, on and offline, as progress is made through the various levels.

Once the school has reached a designated threshold on the framework, it can opt to secure the prestigious ICT Mark which recognises a school's success in developing and implementing a strategic approach to ICT. It provides a framework for using ICT to enhance teaching and learning providing opportunities for the school community to develop ICT capability.

The development of the self-review framework has been aided by the results of a pilot study conducted within primary and secondary schools across the UK.

All participants confirmed the value of using the process to enable the more effective use of ICT both in management and in the curriculum.

Calne Edginton-White, head at Lickhill Lodge First School in Stourport-on-Severn, whose school took part in the pilot study, said: “The movement through the levels is supported by comprehensive guidance and actions, which will also assist in evaluating outcomes and the impact of ICT on learning and on the learner.

“ICT is often seen as a separate subject area to deliver. The self-review framework is a highly flexible tool that has helped us to identify how ICT can contribute to the whole learning journey.”

Becta stresses the importance of involving as many members of staff as possible in the process to ensure that an accurate picture of ICT use is drawn and to enable teaching staff to see the potential of ICT use in the learning journey. The self-review framework also provides opportunities to monitor and review the continuing professional development of staff.

Another study participant, Rekha Bhakoo, head at Newton Farm First and Middle School in Harrow, said: “The self-review has been of great benefit for a school like ours, enabling all the staff, not just the ICT specialists, to understand where we are going strategically. It has brought us together and consolidated the whole vision for the school.”

For further information and details of how to sign up to the self-review framework, visit the Becta website at www. becta.org.uk .