Digital Schools of Distinction Award Evaluation Report

School: Kyle NS
Roll No: 04442F
Date of validation: 14th June 2018

Leadership & Vision

Kyle NS is a rural school with a Junior and Senior Classroom near Youghal, Co
Cork.

The school has adopted a whole school approach to the integration of ICT into
teaching and Learning.

The school’s ICT Policy contains comprehensive details of curriculum linkages

and a clear outline of the learning progression as pupils move up through the
classes with provision for SEN also. The current ICT Policy document has been
recently updated and is scheduled for review in 2020/21.

The Deputy Principal is the ICT Coordinator, and the school is well equipped with
hardware and software including interactive touch screens and teaching
computers and a set of 8 shared iPads

There is evidence of strong leadership and collegiality among the staff in relation
to the usage of ICT.

Along with the ICT Policy document the school has a comprehensive AUP with
regard to the use of technology.

ICT in the Curriculum

ICT is used across the full range of subject areas and pupils are encouraged to
develop their keyboard skills also.

The school has a set of 8 shared iPads, and Seesaw is used for the creation of
cloud based digital portfolios in the Senior Room, allowing the teacher to monitor
and assess pupils’ work and to facilitate a connection with parents.
The internet is used for research and pupils can work and collaborate on the
shared iPads and classroom computers to help support the cross curricular
approach to teaching and learning that is evident in the school.

Innovative work such as stop motion animation is happening and being

developed also.

School ICT Culture

There is a strong ICT Culture in the School. ICT is used in planning and
administration.

The school has an excellent and interesting website that captures very well the
activities and the positive learning atmosphere that exists.

The school also has a Facebook page featuring more current news. While not
currently using a dedicated school administration package ICT is however used
for administrative purposes.

The school has well developed ICT Policy and AUP.

Professional Development

Teachers are informed of and attend ICT courses. The sharing of good practice
among staff also takes place who are both confident and competent with the
everyday use of ICT.

A dedicated ICT Coordinator in the school ensures good support for staff

Resources & Infrastructure

The school is well resourced with shared iPads with a range of apps, classroom
computers with centralised printing. Broadband bandwidth is sufficient for their
needs and classrooms are equipped with interactive screens.
A range of apps and websites are in use and office software is used for content
creation.

Seesaw provides for the development of digital portfolios by the Senior Pupils

General comments and recommendations

This is an excellent school, which is well organised with thoughtful policies and
good integration of ICT.

The school website is really good for demonstrating the range of different
activities happening in the school.

Scoring

Kyle NS meets all the criteria required to become a Digital School of Distinction.