Has your school received ICT training through Hands on Support?
Please take a few moments to fill in our online Hands on Support evaluation.

What is Hands on Support?
Hands on Support, also termed HoS, is a Government-funded project to support classroom teachers in the effective use of ICT in teaching and learning.

Hands on Support — Q&A
www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/ictis/cpd/hos/faq/

Overview of HOS in Kent

Since the start of the Hands on Support in April 2004 nearly three hundred schools have submitted HoS Agreements to their Cluster Boards. This action has resulted in nearly five hundred teachers receiving training from either a Cluster Leading ICT Teacher or an experienced ICT Coordinator (HOS Provider.) Focusing on improving ICT skills, the training model has been well received by teachers, who have welcomed the opportunity to plan and work alongside experienced primary practitioners.

Leading ICT and HoS Provider

Effective Leading Teachers and HoS Providers:

• Organise and lead Cluster ICT Workshops

• Create and share resources

• Monitor and feedback on the use of ICT to support learning and teaching

• Work in partnership with AST’s and other Cluster teams

• Use ICT effectively when teaching to motivate and challenge children

• Inform colleagues about hardware and software developments

To support this strategy, HoS Consultants working with Local Education Officer’s (LEO’s) and Cluster Boards in most Clusters, have established teams to co-ordinate and organise ICT Training for teachers and schools. Consisting of Leading ICT Teachers and experienced subject Coordinators (HOS providers), these groups have successfully planned and led sessions on a range of subjects that seek to raise standards as outlined in the Primary National Strategy and the recent DfES publication “Fulfilling our Potential.” Able to provide information about schools training priorities and ICT needs, many Clusters now use the information gathered to monitor the use of ICT in Cluster schools.

Monitoring the use of ICT in Cluster schools

Seeking to improve ICT provision for schools, many Clusters have formed ICT Steering Groups. Consisting of Leading ICT Teachers and HOS Providers, these groups have taken an active role drafting the Cluster ICT Action Plan. A significant development, this action both highlights the success of the HOS programme and the important need in the future for all Clusters in Kent to maintain these teacher networks to ensure the ICT needs of all schools are met.

Contacts

Mandy Barrow, Key Stages 2 / 3 (HoS contact for West Kent clusters)
mandy.barrow at kent.gov.uk

Phil Bracegirdle, Key Stages 1 / 2 (HoS contact for Mid and East Kent clusters)
philip.bracegirdle at kent.gov.uk

Carine Jacquel Key Stages 3 / 4 (HoS contact for all clusters)
carine.jacquel@kentlearning.org.uk

Project teacher for Early Years / Key Stage 1:
James Barrett
james.barrett at kent.gov.uk