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Inner-city comprehensive Broadgreen International School in Liverpool was named alongside independent Prospect House School in Putney, London, as the top two schools in the UK when it comes to the best use of technology at Becta's ICT Excellence Awards 2009.

The prestigious accolade of 'Best whole school' is given to just one secondary and one primary school annually. The two schools beat off stiff competition from more than 100 other schools across the country to collect their awards at Bristol's newest science venue, At-Bristol, last night [Thursday, 19 November].

Representatives from the National Best Whole School Winners (Prospect House School, Putney and Broadgreen International School, Liverpool) with celebrity host Meera Syal [left] and Becta Chief Executive Stephen Crowne [back, right].

Both schools have demonstrated that they have successfully placed technology at the heart of learning as well as wider school management. This has helped to enhance teaching and bring lessons to life showing clearly how technology makes a difference, not just in the classroom, but at home within the family and across other school activities.

Broadgreen International School wowed the judges with its futuristic technology centre and use of ICT to involve the wider community in every aspect of the school's life including its deaf resource base and a lively 'silver surfers' group.

Meanwhile Prospect House gained top marks with students who were confident, enthusiastic and independent in their use of computers, mobile devices, digital cameras and virtual learning platforms across the entire curriculum. From reviewing their sporting performances on screen to creating animations in art lessons, technology is used in every lesson to help students achieve more.

Stephen Crowne, Chief Executive of Becta, said: 

"We believe that integrating technology across the entire curriculum – not just using it in ICT lessons – is essential to higher achievement in schools and it makes lessons and learning more enjoyable and rewarding.

"The ICT Excellence Awards are a fantastic way to show just what can be achieved to boost the achievements of young people using technology. It is a great pleasure to reward the hard work of all schools that entered. Winners of the Best whole school awards, Broadgreen International School and Prospect House School, are shining examples of what can be done. Becta is committed to helping schools achieve similar results so that all learners have the opportunity to get the most from their time at school."

On winning the award, Peter Banks, Assistant Headteacher at Broadgreen International School, said:

"We are thrilled to receive this acknowledgement of how far all our staff, pupils and community have travelled on this exciting and ever-changing journey. We know our school is at the cutting edge of technology, and look towards building on this.

"We want to give a huge thank you to everyone connected with the school. This award is the result of the hard work and dedication by all of them – from the catering staff who operate the cashless computerised canteen to parents who are actively involved in their child's education through the school's learning platform, as well as all the teaching and support staff. Most importantly, we want to thank the pupils who now accept ICT as 'normal'."

Peter has used ICT as one of the ways in which to turn around Broadgreen International School. Positioned in an area acknowledged as being predominantly low-income with many social problems, it has overcome many perceived barriers to show that technology can bring huge benefits to the school, family and local community. It has steadily improved in recent years to become a beacon of achievement, ambition and vision with the facilities to match.

On winning the award, Dianne Barratt, Headteacher of Prospect House School, said:

"We are extremely proud to have achieved this accolade. It is fantastic recognition of our staff's hard work and dedication to helping pupils reach their full potential through the use of effective ICT. We would like to thank everyone involved – especially our students and parents."

Dianne has championed very bold, confident ICT choices which have been embraced by everyone at the school. This has brought clear benefits for communications with parents and an excellent, well used learning platform. The way that the staff have helped each other by pooling their ICT knowledge has been particularly beneficial in terms of their CPD and has encouraged the teaching staff to develop the use of technology even further.

Meera Syal, comedian, actress and star of Goodness Gracious Me, who presented the awards, said:

"It's amazing to see how all these different gadgets such as computers, whiteboards and digital video recorders are used by children and their teachers and what a difference it makes to their learning. When I was at school in Walsall in the 1970s, we didn't have anything like it. Lots of us have had to learn how to use technology as adults in our jobs, but these days kids are using it in everything they do – in and out of school. I've definitely been inspired by these awards to make sure I'm more up to date with the technology that's around – I only wish I could've had the same when I was at school."

The ICT Excellence Awards is an awards scheme open to all schools which aims to identify and reward excellence in Information and Communications Technology (ICT). The awards acknowledge UK schools approaching technology in outstanding or innovative ways. With the event in its fourth year, it is leading the way within the education system and is one of the most important and respected awards in the teaching calendar.

More information, including videos of the winners, is available from the ICT Excellence Awards area.

This year's ICT Excellence Awards has five categories, including awards for Best whole school, Learning experience and Support for schools.

Winners received a cash prize to spend on ICT equipment, provision or training.

A full list of winning schools and organisations

Best whole school award

National Primary winner: Prospect House School, Putney
National Secondary winner: Broadgreen International School – A Technology College, Liverpool
East Midlands (joint winner): Ashover Primary School, Ashover
East Midlands (joint winner): Ryton Park Primary School, Worksop
London winner: Prospect House School, Putney
North East winner: Dyke House Sports & Technology College, Hartlepool
North West winner: Broadgreen International School – A Technology College, Liverpool
Northern Ireland winner: Belfast Model School for Girls, Belfast
Northern Ireland highly commended: St Pius X College, Magherafelt 
Scotland winner: Mount Cameron Primary School and Nurseries, East Kilbride
Service Children's Education winner: Hornbill School, British Forces Brunei
South East winner: Horndean Infant School, Waterlooville 
South East highly commended: The Cooper School, Bicester
South West winner: Selworthy School, Taunton
Wales winner: Ysgol Gyfun Bro Morgannwg, Barry
West Midlands winner: Trinity Church of England Primary School, Wolverhampton
Yorkshire and The Humber winner: Notre Dame High School, Sheffield
Yorkshire and The Humber highly commended: Woodhouse Primary School, Brighouse 

Beyond the classroom award

Primary winner: Anson Primary School, Brent

Leadership, management and collaboration award

Primary winner: Robin Hood Primary School, Wakefield
Primary runner-up: Engayne Primary School, Upminster 

Learning experience award

Primary winner: Alwoodley Primary School, Leeds
Primary runner-up: Herringthorpe Junior School, Rotherham
Secondary winner: Westfield Technology College, Weymouth
Secondary runner-up: Thomas Bennett Community College, Crawley 

Support for schools award

Joint winner: Havering Inspection and Advisory Service
Joint winner: RM Education Services
Runner-up: Plymouth Local Authority