King James's
School was first designated a "Technology
College" by the DfES in 1998, and, following two
successful applications for redesignation, we now have
Specialist Status assured until 2009.
The basis of
acceptance of our initial bid for Technology status
was that we would collaborate and share resources with
our family of local primary and special schools and
with the community to become a regional centre of excellence
for teaching and learning in Technology, Science and
Mathematics. Specialist School status has brought immense
benefits to King James's and to its partner schools.
The school receives more than £190,000 revenue
funding each year, and this is additional funding over
and above that received for its normal running costs.
One third of this additional funding is allocated directly
to our family of local schools to improve the technological
facilities available to their pupils. In this respect
the community sharing aspect of this project was quite
unique. The school has won two awards for the effectiveness
of its work with the community.
The enhanced funding associated with Technology status
has enabled us to carry out high quality accommodation
projects such as the complete redesign of the front of
school and the new Library, and it has been used to invest
in additional curriculum resources and staff. Successful
bids to BT and to the DfES Innovations Unit have enabled
us to run innovative ICT-based projects and given pupils
access to the latest technologies.
