Contact: David Woodward, Head of ICT, 01962 846359

1 Summary

1.1 The Executive Member is requested to adopt the Hampshire Education ICT Strategic Plan as a direction setting strategy for the development of ICT (Information Communication Technology) throughout Hampshire's Education service.

2 Reason

2.1 The strategy results from:

a) a proposed action following the LEA's OFSTED inspection;

b) an expressed wish of headteachers for increased leadership with respect to ICT;

c) identification of ICT development as a major factor underpinning the Education Development Plan (EDP).

3 Other options considered and rejected - not applicable.

4 Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or a member or officer consulted - not applicable.

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - not applicable.

6 Reasons for the matter being dealt with if urgent - not applicable.

Approved by Date of decision

Councillor D Allen

Contact: David Woodward, Head of Education ICT, 01962 846359

1 Summary

1.1 This report considers how information and communications technology (ICT) can best serve the needs of Hampshire's learners. A Hampshire Education ICT strategic plan (appendix) is proposed for recommendation to the Executive Member for Education. Six development strands have been identified and focussed into six statements of intent.

1.2 The final version of the document will be subject to scrutiny and refinement in order to achieve Plain English accreditation prior to publication.

1.3 The strategy is intended to be direction setting and to have no additional resource implications, but that is against a background in which the importance of ICT is rising and absorbing a greater proportion of all budgets.

2 Outline of the Proposed Policy

2.1 Emphasis on the curriculum and the needs of learners

Enable learners to achieve maximum benefit from the use of ICT, and be well prepared to operate in a technology-dominated world, by facilitating and encouraging professional debate, continuing professional development, and curriculum and organisational change.

2.2 The administration and management of learning

Ensure that ICT is developed and used effectively in order to enable learners and teachers to manage the almost limitless digital learning resources now available, and to manage and administer the learning process for each individual learner.

2.3 Anytime, anywhere, any age learning

Ensure that Hampshire learners, and where appropriate their teachers, parents or other mentors, can access their learning resources, programmes of study and learning management tools whether they be in the classroom, at home, in a library, at a homework club, at specialist education provision (eg Pupil Referral Units) in hospital or elsewhere.

2.4 Managing data and information

Develop whole service approaches to the use of data, data collection, storage, information handling and communication in order to lead to greater efficiency, reduced bureaucracy and more effective management.

2.5 Improve administrative and service delivery processes

Use ICT to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of administrative and service delivery processes.

2.6 Developing and maintaining the ICT infrastructure

Develop and maintain, in partnership with schools, other educational establishments and suppliers, an ICT infrastructure that is capable of delivering the needs of the whole education service at minimum overall cost.

3 Background

3.1 The strategy results from:

a) a proposed action following the LEA's OFSTED inspection;

b) an expressed wish of headteachers for increased leadership with respect to ICT;

c) identification of ICT development as a major factor underpinning the Education Development Plan (EDP).

3.2 Extensive presentations, discussion and consultation have been undertaken with many groups of stakeholders throughout the education service, particularly with headteachers.

Recommendation

1 That the Executive Member for Education be advised as follows:

That the Hampshire Education ICT Strategy be adopted by the County Council.

Section D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Documents

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it. is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

N.B. the list includes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

None