Computer whizzkids help school to success; Kaye's First and Nursery school keyed in to ICT.

Byline: Hazel Ettienne

HEADTEACHER Lesley Butcher has plenty to celebrate at Kaye's First and Nursery School.

This thriving school community, well supported by parents and their extended families, has notched up several successes over the last term.

It is the first primary school in Kirklees to achieve the Becta ICT (information computer technology) mark for excellence in the field.

It is also being re-evaluated for Artsmark Gold for the second time and has successfully retained the Investors in Pupils accreditation.

Mrs Butcher has also has been named as a regional leader for the National College for School Leadership, one of only two leaders for the Yorkshire and Humber region.

The role, which starts in September involves using her expertise and skills to support other schools and headteachers.

Dedication and teamwork at the school have led to the successes, most in the Spring term.

Year five teacher Lisa Pearson, who worked on the Becta bid along with ICT technician Marie Fisher said ICT was used throughout the school.

"The children all use laptops and computers for an hour long lesson each week, but also throughout the school day. The award recognises the range of experiences they are given with software and high quality resources and how staff use computers during their working day.

"The award is part of the whole school vision, we are moving together as a team and the driving force behind this and the changes is Mrs Butcher." Assessors who visited the school for the Investors in Pupils reaccreditation praised the strong team ethos and consistent approach to all aspects of school life.

Children are proud to describe the accumulator system which rewards good behaviour and work, their classroom mission statements and agreed targets.

They are positive about fundraising, good behaviour and welcoming visitors and new classmates, all key factors for the Investors in Pupils accreditation.

The Schools Council and Peacemakers group all take their roles seriously and enjoy helping and supporting each other and the school community.

The arts are embedded in the school curriculum with regular visits by artists, sculptors and dancers to extend pupils skills.

Year four teacher Mrs Nina Pearman leads creativity in school. It is hoping to hear next month that it has retained the highly acclaimed Artsmark Gold award.

"We are a very creative school and like to bring the arts into children's learning wherever possible. We use lots of creativity in each lesson and use the arts as a tool to push the other subjects. We like to get as many people as possible into school so the children can explore all avenues of the arts," she said.

Mrs Butcher added: "What this school is really about is getting high quality education across the board.

We're not just about literacy and numeracy but creating happy, confident learners.

"Every child really does matter here and everyone feels they make a positive contribution to life at Kaye's First and Nursery School.

"Our focus will always be not just on securing the best results academically for our children, but on supporting our children so they are prepared for a successful future."

CAPTION(S):

CELEBRATING: Headteacher Lesley Butcher with pupils (tmc200509kayes-3) ART ATTACK: Teacher Mrs Nina Pearman and pupils with Aztec masks (tmc200509kayes-1) SCREEN TEST: Children enjoying their ICT lessons on the school laptops (tmc200509kayes)