A DEPUTY head has become one of only 25 nominees for a prestigious award – which recognise influencers in independent schools across the UK.

Nic Ford, who teaches at Bolton School Boys’ Division, has been recognised for heading up the rollout of a one-to-one iPad programme to more than 1,000 pupils at the school and ensured that they have been fully integrated into school life as a teaching and learning tool.

Mr Ford's changes to the curriculum led a team of boys to win a virtual reality film-making competition.

He said: “The deployment of iPads to every boy has raised pupil achievement. There has been a rise in academic attainment and progress made by students.

"In the first few years of rollout, 10 per cent more boys achieved A* and A grades.

“The school has nearly doubled its value-added at A-level and improved behaviour for learning – pupils are increasingly engaged with learning resources and have become better at self-study.

“Enjoying easy access to a wide range of tools from home, the boys can easily catch up after absences or be set work if off for longer periods.”

All this has helped the school to become recognised as an Apple Distinguished School and as one of the top 50 schools nationally for its innovative use of technology.

The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) said: “All students, especially those with special educational needs and disabilities, were unequivocal that these technologies help them in organising work, revision and supporting their progress.

“Staff have been pleased with the rollout for many reasons, not least because it saves them time, an example being the AI programme which enables staff to spend less time on marking and more time on targeted interventions with specific students based on computer diagnostics.”

Mr Ford has been able to deliver training to other schools about the importance of this rollout at the national Headteachers' Conference.

The ISI added: “Parents have also benefitted from the iPads rollout and now have a clearer idea of what their boy is doing and needs to do to improve.

"They have access to the same learning resources as their sons and can keep tabs on their work.”

The i25 Awards will take place in London in March next year.