Maidenhead & Windsor

Children at Furze Platt Infant School in Maidenhead are leading the way in using information and communications technology (ICT) to enhance their work.

Following an extensive external assessment, the school in Oaken Grove has become the first school in the Windsor and Maidenhead borough to be awarded the prestigious ICT Mark by the British Education Communications and Technology Agency (Becta), the government-funded body responsible for promoting the use of ICT in Britain's schools and colleges.

The award recognises the school's success in developing the strategic use of ICT in both administration and across the curriculum and offers parents proof that their children are attending a school at the forefront of modern technology.

Cllr Eileen Quick, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead children's services, said: "The Royal Borough is determined that all local children should have the best opportunity to excel in the jobs market of the future. Furze Platt Infant should be congratulated on this wonderful achievement. This demonstrates the excellent ICT management and teaching that is taking place in local schools."

Barbara Wilkinson, ICT subject leader at Furze Platt Infant, said: "Since 1997 when Furze Platt Infant was awarded the status of Beacon School – a leading-edge school – we have supported many schools locally and nationally with the development of computer education. We were one of the first schools in the borough to use interactive whiteboards in every classroom and were instrumental in spreading the word about the impact of this resource on teaching and learning.

"ICT is at the core of everything that happens in the school, which is regarded by Becta as an 'e-confident school' where the use of ICT is embedded into every process."

Neil McLean, executive director for educational practice at Becta, said: "Furze Platt Infant School thoroughly deserves the accolade of an ICT mark. The school clearly demonstrates how important it is to take a holistic approach to using ICT in schools and its investment in new technology has contributed to substantial improvements in learning."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead