Ballyclare High School launches the Bailie ICT Microgrant Award for 2020 – 2023

By Ballyclare High School on 23 January, 2020

 

The Bailie ICT Microgrant scheme is designed to encourage and promote innovative use of ICT at grassroots classroom level in Ballyclare High School. Its aim is to award a small financial grant to the applicant that can be used on EdTech, with the remit to create a positive impact on pupils’ teaching and learning. The scheme is managed by the Education Technology Strategy Group (ETSG) in school and the monies will be used by an individual or a department to encourage the purchase of new hardware and/or software. The award is sponsored by past pupil and former Head Boy, Fergus Bailie, himself an innovative leader and the current CEO of W&G Baird Ltd, Antrim. Mr Gareth Shaw, the current ICT strategy leader in school, commented that “The Bailie Microgrant Award is a superb initiative that gives all teachers and departments in school a little bit of a financial boost to go about purchasing new hardware or software that will initiate deeper learning in our pupils and ultimately help them achieve in their external examinations”.

 

Successful candidates can supplement the award with additional funds from their respective departments. Applications are invited twice per year and staff present a brief overview and impact report of their project to the whole school on a Staff Development Day. In the past 3 years when the award was sponsored by former Head of RE and ICT Strategy Leader Mr Edgar McKinney, the award was used for Google Expedition Virtual Reality viewing googles, Dyslexic Pen readers, 360 degree camera technologies, iPad visualisers and interactive language software. The school is delighted to have W&G Baird Ltd sponsoring this innovative initiative and we know this partnership will have a hugely positive impact on our pupils’ experiences.

 

The first Bailie ICT Microgrant Award will be announced to staff at Easter 2020 and already is hotly applied for.