West Lothian : e-Schools Project
What is this?
In response to the Teaching Profession for the 21st Century agreement, this e-Schools project looked at new approaches to school organisation and staffing structures in schools across the authority to deliver learning more effectively. The project aimed to improve standards and to achieve Best Value in the delivery of school education by changing the management of schools through rapid and fully integrated implementation of key strategies. National strategies - including the rollout of new community schools approach and the Discipline Task Group's Better Behaviour, Better Learning report - underpinned the change. However, the project aimed to build on these with an accelerated timetable and a fully integrated ICT support structure to provide a model for future delivery of learning and teaching and administration of schools.
FLaT involvement?
FLaT provided support to pilot new ICT based approaches to management and organisation in schools in order to free up more time for learning and teaching; and piloted new ICT based approaches to learning, teaching and schools' administration.
Links with National Priorities?
1. Achievement & Attainment
2. Framework for Learning
3. Inclusion & Equality
Project aims?
To develop modern, flexible delivery of learning and teaching during and outwith school hours, with emphasis on using ICT to improve pupils' access to learning.
To improve the quality and accessibility of information on pupils, to support better learning and teaching and home-school links.
To pilot more effective management and organisation of schools, including improvements in financial administration, through revised management structures and supporting ICT (computerised accounting and e-procurement).
Project outcomes?
Increased accessibility to and opportunities for e-learning.
Improved quality and accessibility of information on pupils to support better learning and teaching.
Improved home-school links.
More effective management and organisation of schools.
Timescale?
The project was started in March 2002 and was completed in March 2004.
Level of support?
FLaT support was a grant of £525,000 plus evaluation costs.
Contatct person
Des Walsh, ICT Manager, West Lothian Council Education Services, 01506 776 368, Des.Walsh@westlothian.gov.uk