SWOT Analysis of SWOT Analysis of Somewhere Primary Somewhere Primary

SchoolSchoolBy Suzie AshtonBy Suzie Ashton

DemographicsDemographics

We are a decile 9 school with 380 pupils and 17 We are a decile 9 school with 380 pupils and 17 staff close to Wellington city.staff close to Wellington city.

There are 30 Mac computers in the school in There are 30 Mac computers in the school in classes, admin and a small number in a classes, admin and a small number in a computer suitecomputer suite

All the computers have recently been updated to All the computers have recently been updated to run OS 10.3 and run the latest versions of both run OS 10.3 and run the latest versions of both Apple Works and Microsoft OfficeApple Works and Microsoft Office

One of the school’s focuses this year is to One of the school’s focuses this year is to develop ICT as a learning tool across the develop ICT as a learning tool across the school.school.

StrengthsStrengths The office administration manager is extremely capable and can troubleshoot most The office administration manager is extremely capable and can troubleshoot most

technical problems.technical problems. All classrooms have functioning computers that run the latest operating systems and All classrooms have functioning computers that run the latest operating systems and

programs and are networked to a central server. The internet connection is programs and are networked to a central server. The internet connection is broadband so is fast and reliable.broadband so is fast and reliable.

The majority of staff and personally quite computer literate and can use computers for The majority of staff and personally quite computer literate and can use computers for searching for resources and emailing. Some are extremely capable and are running searching for resources and emailing. Some are extremely capable and are running innovative programs with children.innovative programs with children.

Printing is networked to two central printers saving on consumables and maintenance Printing is networked to two central printers saving on consumables and maintenance costs. Colour printing is available to staff from the staffroom computercosts. Colour printing is available to staff from the staffroom computer

A digital still camera, a digital video camera, a scanner and a fax are available.A digital still camera, a digital video camera, a scanner and a fax are available. There is a hard working ICT team with representatives from all syndicates.There is a hard working ICT team with representatives from all syndicates. There is a functioning school intranet that provides children with safe portals to the There is a functioning school intranet that provides children with safe portals to the

internet (filtered by WatchDog) and an area for posting class webpages.internet (filtered by WatchDog) and an area for posting class webpages. There is a school internet website.There is a school internet website. There is strong interest from staff in the school about ICT and all syndicates have There is strong interest from staff in the school about ICT and all syndicates have

indicated they would be willing to attend voluntary workshops to upskill.indicated they would be willing to attend voluntary workshops to upskill. There was a thorough review of where the school is at in ICT carried out at the end of There was a thorough review of where the school is at in ICT carried out at the end of

2003 at the completion of the last three year strategic plan.2003 at the completion of the last three year strategic plan. Apple Direct staff will come and run workshops for teachers for free.Apple Direct staff will come and run workshops for teachers for free. There are shared folders in the teachers resource areas where staff can share ideas.There are shared folders in the teachers resource areas where staff can share ideas.

WeaknessesWeaknesses Staff are not yet completely confident in using the new operating system.Staff are not yet completely confident in using the new operating system. Use of the digital still camera and digital video camera has been very limited up until Use of the digital still camera and digital video camera has been very limited up until

recently.recently. Some of the older machines do not have the capability to run memory hungry Some of the older machines do not have the capability to run memory hungry

programs such as imovie.programs such as imovie. Teachers are not yet familiar with School Master and AssTLe.Teachers are not yet familiar with School Master and AssTLe. The internet website is very out-dated.The internet website is very out-dated. The intranet was designed on an older web design program that is not available since The intranet was designed on an older web design program that is not available since

the latest upgrade.the latest upgrade. There are no written guidelines for the school in the following areas: internet safety,There are no written guidelines for the school in the following areas: internet safety,

the publishing of children’s work, the use of ICT for internal and external the publishing of children’s work, the use of ICT for internal and external communication, the use of ICT for teaching resources and shared planning, the use communication, the use of ICT for teaching resources and shared planning, the use of ICT for record keeping and reportingof ICT for record keeping and reporting

Most teachers are not currently using ICT for administration purposes.Most teachers are not currently using ICT for administration purposes. The computer suite is stocked with the oldest computers and there is not enough to The computer suite is stocked with the oldest computers and there is not enough to

have a class in there doing a session - there are only eight out-dated computers.have a class in there doing a session - there are only eight out-dated computers. Teachers do not currently have lap tops for their own use and for use as a portable Teachers do not currently have lap tops for their own use and for use as a portable

computer pod that can be used in their classroom. computer pod that can be used in their classroom. There are no shared folders for storing lesson plans to help reduce teacher workload.There are no shared folders for storing lesson plans to help reduce teacher workload. The internet safety link is not yet operational on the school intranet.The internet safety link is not yet operational on the school intranet.

OpportunitiesOpportunities The new three year strategic plan needs to be developed.The new three year strategic plan needs to be developed. The school internet website needs to be updated.The school internet website needs to be updated. Workshops need to be arranged on the following staff nominated topics: working with Workshops need to be arranged on the following staff nominated topics: working with

digital images; using imovie; using School Master; creating databases for admin digital images; using imovie; using School Master; creating databases for admin purposes and for children to use; using powerpoint and the data projector (which purposes and for children to use; using powerpoint and the data projector (which should arrive soon); managing students using computers in the classroom; designing should arrive soon); managing students using computers in the classroom; designing webpages using the new program ‘Adobe GoLive’; and using the BELTS Learning webpages using the new program ‘Adobe GoLive’; and using the BELTS Learning Objects (part of a MOE trial).Objects (part of a MOE trial).

Planning formats need to be created so that planning can be then stored centrally.Planning formats need to be created so that planning can be then stored centrally. Information about upcoming courses needs to be given to staff in order to match their Information about upcoming courses needs to be given to staff in order to match their

ICT development goals.ICT development goals. Information for teachers on ICT policies and how to use the operating system and Information for teachers on ICT policies and how to use the operating system and

different programs needs to be included in the school intranet.different programs needs to be included in the school intranet. Interested classes could develop portfolios on the computer for each student.Interested classes could develop portfolios on the computer for each student. Internet safety materials can be displayed by class computers and in the suite. Internet safety materials can be displayed by class computers and in the suite. Guidelines can be developed in the areas currently missing.Guidelines can be developed in the areas currently missing. Greater use can be made of the Apple Direct staff in running sessions.Greater use can be made of the Apple Direct staff in running sessions. The form currently sent home at the beginning of the year to get parent permission for The form currently sent home at the beginning of the year to get parent permission for

children to use the internet can have a section added where parents give permission children to use the internet can have a section added where parents give permission for children’s work/pictures being published online.for children’s work/pictures being published online.

A centralised whiteboard can be mounted for people to report problems.A centralised whiteboard can be mounted for people to report problems. A list of good websites at each syndicate level can be added to the intranet.A list of good websites at each syndicate level can be added to the intranet.

ThreatsThreats The numeracy contract the school is involved in is taking a lion’s share of the The numeracy contract the school is involved in is taking a lion’s share of the

professional development time.professional development time. Many teachers are already feeling overloaded with other commitments.Many teachers are already feeling overloaded with other commitments. Links between home and school are made more difficult as most homes use PCs and Links between home and school are made more difficult as most homes use PCs and

not Apples.not Apples. The budget does not allow for much development of the computer suite though many The budget does not allow for much development of the computer suite though many

teachers would like to be able to run whole class sessions.teachers would like to be able to run whole class sessions. The ICT lead teacher may burn out!!!The ICT lead teacher may burn out!!! ERO are coming this year and many teachers will find it hard to take on new ERO are coming this year and many teachers will find it hard to take on new

initiatives with that pressure added.initiatives with that pressure added.

Summary Summary

• Overall the school has a lot of the necessary infrastructure to run good quality Overall the school has a lot of the necessary infrastructure to run good quality ICT programs and the staff are highly motivated and keen to incorporate ICT ICT programs and the staff are highly motivated and keen to incorporate ICT in their classrooms. The staff are generally computer literate in their personal in their classrooms. The staff are generally computer literate in their personal lives but have yet to develop a number of skills related to the latest advances lives but have yet to develop a number of skills related to the latest advances in ICT education. Professional development opportunities offered to the staff in ICT education. Professional development opportunities offered to the staff need to be matched to the areas of interest highlighted by the staff need to be matched to the areas of interest highlighted by the staff themselves. There is a need to use ICT to reduce teacher workload through themselves. There is a need to use ICT to reduce teacher workload through centralising planning and using computers for administration. Teachers need centralising planning and using computers for administration. Teachers need to be given the appropriate support in order to meet their professional goals. to be given the appropriate support in order to meet their professional goals. Awareness of the workload of teachers is important so that any new initiatives Awareness of the workload of teachers is important so that any new initiatives are seen as positive rather than overloading. Many policies have already are seen as positive rather than overloading. Many policies have already been developed and many well understood and functioning systems are in been developed and many well understood and functioning systems are in place. A few more policies need to be written so that all staff know the place. A few more policies need to be written so that all staff know the procedures. Overall, Somewhere School is in a very good position to make procedures. Overall, Somewhere School is in a very good position to make large ICT gains in the near future. large ICT gains in the near future.