Why this is leading practice
Five Warrington schools have collaborated in developing innovative practice using new technology - handheld devices such as Acer laptops and Samsung NC10 notebooks.
This personalised learning strategy has raised standards of attainment by re-engaging, motivating and exciting pupils about their learning. The PCs have been available for use by families 24/7.
SATS scores have risen significantly, with reduced levels of poor behaviour, increasing attendance and parental participation.
ICT is integrated in all aspects of the curriculum and our project received national acclaim including the first 2008 TES award for best e- learning Primary school visit from Barry Sherman. Local and regional schools have visited us to see demonstrations and have gone away to run similar projects..
• It has engaged reluctant learners and secured parental support in hard-to-reach families.
• It has developed the curriculum and supported the ECM agenda.
• It has been flexible and encouraged independent thinking.
• The affordable technology has helped all families to bridge the digital divide.
• The significant impact on standards of attainment.
Impact to date
- The is now an effective usage of new technologies by both staff and students. There is real evidence of personalised learning and greater development of problem solving skills through the new technology for all students. Students are more engaged and excited about their learning. They are able to articulate about the ICT skills they use both in school and at home and the positive impact it is having on their learning.
- Effective collaboration of 5 schools which is continually driving the initiative forward.
- Value added though self esteem and greater motivation, participation and higher achievement
- Impact on other partner school practise nationally, regionally and locally
- Significant evidence of reduced negative student behavioural incidents, better motivation to learn and attend school. There is also much greater parental interaction with school.
Rationale / Start Point
• The is now an effective usage of new technologies by both staff and students. There is real evidence of personalised learning and greater development of problem solving skills through the new technology for all students. Students are more engaged and excited about their learning. They are able to articulate about the ICT skills they use both in school and at home and the positive impact it is having on their learning.
• Effective collaboration of 5 schools which is continually driving the initiative forward.
• Value added though self esteem and greater motivation, participation and higher achievement
• Impact on other partner school practise nationally, regionally and locally
• Significant evidence of reduced negative student behavioural incidents, better motivation to learn and attend school. There is also much greater parental interaction with school.
Key Strategies
- ICT now is the invisible footprint throughout our curriculum delivery, giving clarity and contributing across all areas of school curriculum e.g. subjects, play provision, pre school and after school provision, home school links. It underpins all subjects and is taught both discreetly and cross curricular.
- Reinforced home school links, developing 24/7 learners with key skills (change, adaptability, flexibility, independent thinkers)
- Pupils take home devices 52 weeks of the year.
- Teachers blue tooth all lessons that day to devices to share with parents to break down barriers to learning, any feelings of fear and anxiety supporting a modern curriculum.
- Personalised learning takes place, children can use personalised software to support particular curricular needs.
- Handhelds go home daily, homework is set using the VLE which allows seamless transition of learning between home and school.
Sustainability and Further Development
The existing VLE is only school not Network based. There is an opportunity here for the Network to develop the VLE to allow the sharing of good practice and to celebrate pupil achievement by pursuing this.