YOUNG people at St Catherine’s CE Primary School are well placed to succeed in this fast-paced world of technology.

Their learning of information communication technology is not just limited to ICT lessons. It underpins other subjects too, with pupils creating their own audio and picture books to complement their literacy lessons.

Now the Horwich school has been recognised for its efforts in using technology to enhance children’s work with the coveted ICT Mark.

The award illustrates the school is at the forefront of modern technology at a time when the new primary national curriculum places a great emphasis on “high-quality computing education”.

The national curriculum for England to be taught in all maintained primary and secondary schools from September, 2014, states: “Computing ensures that pupils become digitally literate — able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology — at a level suitable for the future work place and as active participants in a digital world.”

The aim is to equip young people to become “responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication tech-nology”.

Pupil Ciaran Marland, aged 11, said: “ICT is a life skill we will need to use to help us succeed for the future.”

The school embarked on the award scheme in April with Andy Rigby, head of ICT, driving it forward.

He said: “I am really pleased that the presentation of this award shows recognition of the excellent work that is taking place at St Catherine’s School.

“Applying for the award really brought into focus the ICT work that we are doing each and every day. All the children and staff deserve credit for this achievement.”

The use of ICT to underpin the curriculum, says Mr Rigby, is preparing the children for the future — with lessons taking an innovative and exciting twist, creating photo story books and audio books .

He added: “We have innovative teaching and learning at this school and ICT is also a part of everyday life.

“Children are learning to research and having ICT skills based curriculum also encourages the children to become independent learners.

“ICT enhances teaching and learning and it prepares the pupils for the future.”

The ICT Mark is accredited by Naace, the ICT association which is made up of educators, technologists and policy makers who share a vision for the role of technology in advancing education.

Mark Chambers, Naace chief executive, said: “St Catherine’s thoroughly deserves the accolade of an ICT Mark accreditation.

“They clearly demonstrate how important it is to take a whole school approach to using technology in schools. We look forward to working with St Catherine’s to demonstrate how technology can have a substantial impact on learner outcomes in the future.”

Headteacher Karen Graham added: “On behalf of St Catherine’s, I am delighted to be awarded the ICT Mark.

“It recognises our positive approach to the use of technology and the benefits it is bringing to our children.

“We believe that technology can be used in every aspect of learning and that it is essential our children are equipped for the modern world.

Lucie Tyrer, aged 10, said: “Our ICT in school has seen us create mobile phone apps, blogging as well as using online tools to help us with our writing.”