In June 2009, with preparations for the September 2010 inception of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) Managed Service in Salford ramping up, a CLC planning meeting was held, attended by representatives from Salford schools, the LA School Improvement Service, CLC staff and Board members and members of Salford’s BSF team. The purpose of the meeting was to explore ways forward in ensuring the best possible provision and support for ICT to staff and pupils under BSF.
The specific challenges were:
To deliver support for transformational learning while also meeting national and local objectives as outlined in the Becta APA
To develop and foster links with the new Managed Service provider
To utilise opportunities available via CLC staffing and funding
To trial and evaluate new learning spaces and evolving pedagogies in preparation for the new BSF schools
The conclusions of the discussion were:
Secondary schools – need to know how best to develop the skills of educators to use new learning spaces and developing technologies
Primary schools – need to know how to develop the technology to deliver flexible learning within a traditional space
A number of possible projects were agreed with the aim of meeting schools’ and teachers’ need across the LA. Each would be developed and shared across the Authority to inform the BSF programme and future developments. In short, these were;
Secondary – develop spaces (concept classrooms) and use of technology
Primary – develop use of technology in fixed spaces
Further information on and the first evaluations of these projects can be viewed at these links.