ICT Register - Frequently Asked Questions

download FAQ as a PDF file.

What is the ICT Register?

The ICT Register was launched in November 2004. It is a unique online database – www.ict-register.net – of cutting edge ICT practice in primary, secondary and special schools in England currently. The Register provides a means by which these schools can offer their knowledge and expertise to other schools seeking to build econfidence. Schools listed on the Register author and update their own entries, so the database always reflects the latest developments.

Why was the database created?

It was set up to help schools work collaboratively and to allow schools to share valuable experience and expertise. The database helps schools needing advice and support with specific ICT issues to identify schools who have successfully dealt with similar issues. The Register also aims to give schools the confidence they need to be able to deal knowledgeably with educational suppliers, perhaps saving them some expense.

What services are available through the ICT Register?

The services offered to schools are currently presented in six main areas, Strategic Leadership, Learning and Teaching, Technical Support, Finance/Budgeting, Special Educational Needs and Internationalism. Each of these areas has further categories within it offering a wide range of expertise. Visit www.ict-register.net/browse.php for the full list. The list will be adapted regularly to encompass relevant aspects of ICT.

Why should my school become a Register School?

Schools offering services via the Register have benefited greatly from their involvement. They have:

  • increased their opportunities for networking with other forward thinking schools; this is particularly attractive for specialist schools seeking to demonstrate a sharing of resources and expertise with the local and wider community.
  • taken part in pre-release trials of exciting new products;
  • begun to influence and implement national strategies;
  • been able to showcase their exciting practice on the ICT Register website;
  • increased their self esteem through their involvement in external CPD.

What schools are eligible?

Secondary and special schools in England affiliated to the Specialist Schools Trust, offering innovative ICT practice in at least two categories mentioned in the third paragraph. Cutting edge primary schools in England are also welcome to join the Register as provider schools; currently, not all of our primary Register schools are affiliated to the Trust, owing to their affiliation scheme having been launched only recently. During the current academic year, the Register will be opened to include amongst its provider schools, establishments offering the Foundation curriculum [including Early Years ‘settings’], City Learning Centres and Academies and schools affiliated to iNet.

Secondary Schools should be able to highlight experience and expertise in at least two of the following six main service areas, Strategic Leadership, Learning and Teaching, Technical Support, Finance/Budgeting, Special Educational Needs and Internationalism. They should also have the capacity and experience to deliver CPD and support to other schools as well as strong experience of cross-phase liaison and collaboration.

Primary schools should be able to highlight experience and expertise in Strategic Leadership of ICT and Learning and Teaching with ICT. They should be able to demonstrate the capacity and experience to deliver CPD and support to other primary schools. We are particularly looking for primary schools - especially those specialising in the foundation stage, special schools or early years settings.

Special Schools should be able to demonstrate expertise in personalised learning, assessment and monitoring, assistive technology and the use of ICT to link parents and carers, support transition and to provide updated information. They should also be able to highlight experience and expertise in Strategic Leadership of ICT and Learning and Teaching with ICT. They should also have the capacity and experience to deliver CPD and support to other Special schools as well as a strong experience of cross-phase liaison and collaboration.

How do I apply?

If schools are confident that they can meet the eligibility criteria they should;

  • Download an application pack (with full criteria and an ICT Register agreement) from www.ict-register.net/join.php;
  • email William Davies at William.Davies@ssatrust.org.uk with a brief description of their school’s expertise . This description will be used to determine whether the school meets the criteria;
  • sign a copy of the Register Agreement and return it to William Davies (the address is on the agreement);

Schools selected will be emailed an account on the website to enable them to complete their entry in a part of the website not viewable by the public. Service descriptions on the website form part of the application procedure. Therefore it is important that services are described accurately and with clarity.

A welcome email will be sent following completion of this entry and their service descriptions made live. The regional ICT Register Focus Schools will also be made aware of your addition to the Register and you will be invited to regional ICT Register meetings.

What are the commitments of schools on the Register?

By signing the register agreement form schools are committing to:

  • Inform the ICT Register team if the ICT Register contact at the school (or their contact details) change;
  • Regularly review their support services and ensure they are correctly described; also adding further support descriptions as and when able to do so.
  • Respond to enquiries from potential client schools within 24hours;
  • Ensure that the level of service being offered, timescales and associated charges are clearly communicated to the potential client school before support is provided;
  • Feedback on service provision via the website, for general quality assurance;
  • Ensure that the ICT Register contact or a named representative makes every effort to attend regional meetings organised by the Focus School
  • Lend their support to national promotional activities, where possible.

What are the benefits for schools on the Register?

Schools offering services via the Register have benefited greatly from their involvement. They have:

  • increased their opportunities for networking with other forward thinking schools;
  • taken part in pre-release trials of exciting new products;
  • begun to influence and implement national strategies;
  • been able to showcase their exciting practice on the ICT Register website;
  • increased their self esteem through their involvement in external CPD.

What does it cost?

It does not cost anything to join the register only the time to complete the application process.

Can I charge for services offered via the Register?

After contact has been established between a Register school and a client school, the negotiations regarding the type of service, the method of delivery, timescales and costs of provision are between the schools. Charging guidelines are available on the Register.

What support do Register schools receive?

To reflect the national programme, Register schools are also grouped in the eleven Trust regions - London, S-Central, S-East, S-West1, S-West2, Eastern, Yorkshire-Humberside, N-East, N-West, E-Midlands and W-Midlands. One secondary and one primary Register school in each region is designated a Focus School for a year. Focus Schools work very closely with the central Register Team in supporting the other secondary and primary Register schools in their region, leading the development of ICT support in their phase and assuming responsibility for the quality of service provision. Focus schools’ responsibilities include:

  • facilitating the Regional meetings which are held once a term in their school, or in another provider school in their region. These meetings are increasingly being designed to cover ICT support at both secondary and primary level.
  • ensuring that Register news gained at the Focus Group meetings is communicated to all other provider schools in the region.
  • playing a role (where necessary) in co-ordinating the test-bedding opportunities within their region.

One Special school will also be chosen to play a similar role in supporting special schools on the ICT Register.