Special school gets technology accolade

A special school in Kirkby has received national recognition for its expertise in Information and Communication Technology.

Springfield Community School joins just 12 other special schools in the country – and only two in the north west – as a registered specialist ICT school.

Springfield has 86 pupils between the ages of two and 19 with physical and/or complex learning difficulties. ICT plays a vital role in the classroom, with interactive whiteboards and specially developed software to help pupils with disabilities.

The school uses ICT in a variety of innovative ways from monitoring pupil progress through to interactive whiteboards in lessons. It has also developed expertise in adapting computers and developing software for pupils with physical and learning disabilities.

Deputy Headteacher and ICT Co-ordinator John Parkes said: “We developed our expertise in ICT because we felt that it would benefit our own pupils. But the recognition that we have received means we can share our knowledge with other special and mainstream schools in Knowsley and beyond.”