ABSTRACT
We start with the premiss that the purpose of a school is to educate its pupils in order to meet the expectations of parents, the wider community and national government. These, however, go far beyond the narrow visions concerning test performance in particular subjects which characterise current performance measures. Expectations in ICT capability are concerned with preparation for work and leisure, fostering a commitment to moral and social values and providing a foundation for lifelong learning. The ICT-capable school will be successful in developing its pupils’ ICT capability to the expected National Curriculum levels, but it will have broader aims and will expect to achieve much more than can be represented by mere numbers. Our study of ICT in schools has enabled us to appreciate just how complex ICT capability is, and how many factors at different levels impact upon the standard of pupils’ attainment.
