General overview of the Naacemark

What is the Naacemark?

The Naacemark has been developed by Naace, in association with Becta.  It is an award which recognises a school's success in developing and implementing a strategic approach to ICT.  It provides a framework for using ICT to enhance teaching and learning and provides opportunities for the school community to develop ICT capability.  Working towards and gaining the Naacemark enables schools to move forward with the knowledge that they are implementing recognised good practice. 

 

Why apply for the Naacemark?

Schools applying for the Naacemark for Schools will find that it:

• provides a framework for the development of ICT in the school
• allows them to carry out self evaluation against national standards
• gives them the opportunity to give credit and recognition to staff for their work and commitment to ICT
• demonstrates their desire to move forward with ICT
• encourages them in their work with other schools
• enables them to celebrate their ICT achievements in the wider community.

Naacemark provides a benchmark against which schools can plan for and judge progress. Schools may not feel able to attain the Naacemark immediately but working towards this standard of quality in ICT will provide a focus and reward for their improvement activity.

When a school is awarded the Naacemark, a certificate and the artwork for the Naacemark will be supplied (free of charge).  The logo can be used on all information and publicity about the school and the success will be celebrated in the Times Educational Supplement and listed on the Naace and Becta websites

Owen Lynch, Chief Executive of Becta, sees the scheme as “recognising the excellent practice in management, use and leadership of ICT across schools – the scheme provides both access to a wide range of resources to assist schools to assess how they are managing ICT and an opportunity to celebrate their good practice.”

Becta is the Government’s lead agency for ICT in education.  It supports the UK Government and national organisations in the use and development of ICT in education to raise standards, widen access, improve skills and encourage effective management. 

 

How does a school apply?

Any school can apply if it feels it can meet all the criteria of the Naacemark.  It is a good idea to download the appropriate assessment form which provides full criteria and guidance to enable you to have a good understanding of what the Naacemark entails.  Use the Becta Self-Review matrix to find out how close you are to meeting the Naacemark criteria.  Once you have decided to go for the Naacemark, you need to find a registered Naacemark Assessor.  You can apply directly to your LEA or independent ICT support provider with whom you are working if they are registered Naacemark Assessors.  If your local ICT support service is not registered then you can apply directly to Naace who will put you in contact with a provider.

Note - Salford LEA currently has three Naacemark assessors (Tony Ryan, Stephen Drury and Andrea West).  The School Improvement Service offers consultancy and assessment to all schools free of charge.  Using outside assessors could cost schools approximately £350 pounds a day.  If you would like to work towards the Naacemark or feel you are ready to be assessed then please contact Tony Ryan for further details.

 

How is a school assessed?

The Naacemark is awarded on the basis of a portfolio which the school will need to put together prior to assessment.  The Assessment Form provides the structure for your portfolio and a framework for your annotation.  The assessor can provide any consultancy that you require whilst you are putting together your portfolio.  Once you are ready to be assessed, the assessor will usually come into the school to provide the assessment.

 

What does it cost?
Neither Naace or Becta make a charge to schools or assessors for the administration of this scheme.  LEAs or organisations supporting schools through the process may find it necessary to make a charge.

Note - If Salford schools are interest in applying for the Naacemark and it is done through the School Improvement Service there will be no charge.

 

Is there a closing date for applications?
There is no closing date for applications and the scheme will run continuously throughout the year.

 

What can we do with the Naacemark?
When a school is awarded the Naacemark, a certificate and the artwork for the Naacemark will be supplied (free of charge).  The logo can be used on all information and publicity about the school.  Your success will be celebrated in the Times Educational Supplement and listed on the Naace, Becta nad NGfL websites.

 

For how long will we have the Naacemark?
The Naacemark is awarded for three years and is renewable.  In renewing the Naacemark, evidence of improvement and development over the three years of the award will be taken into account.  If during the period the school fails to maintain the quality criteria, Naace reserves the right to withdraw the Naacemark.