As digital pioneers we are an Apple Distinguished School, we have embraced the potential of technology to transform our teaching and learning. The outcomes have been inspiring.
As part of our wider vision we continually push the boundaries of digital learning to deliver an education that prepares young people for life in an ever-changing digital world. Our digital strategy and implementation was highlighted by the Sunday Times when the Stephen Perse Senior School was awarded East Anglia Secondary School of the Decade.
Foundation approach to Digital Learning and Pedagogy
Principal Richard Girvan speaks with Ms Katharine Radice, the Foundation's Pedagogical Leader and teacher of Classics and Miss Aisling Brown, Digital Leader and teacher of Computer Science and Theory of Knowledge.
Digital tools and innovation
We were one of the UK's first Apple Distinguished Schools and proudly remain part of this programme today. We first introduced iPads for our students back in 2012 but have not rested on our laurels. We now have 1:1 deployment from Year 6 all the way through to Year 13, with a 2:1 shared approach for Year 5 and below. They have become a virtual satchel, providing students with seamless access to resources and support – whenever and wherever they need it.
Students are at the centre of our curriculum and iPads, combined with Apple TVs in classrooms allow them to share, edit and communicate during class in exciting ways. So, instead of sitting and absorbing teacher-led material – learning is now a more collaborative, engaging process.
Apple Pencils are used by teachers to annotate, expand and provide detailed feedback on student work in between lessons. Each student receives enhanced support and therefore learning extends way beyond the classroom. Teachers use Apple School products to help support students and manage the classroom. Apple Classroom is a great way for teachers to share content and demonstrate work, as well as controlling the class devices.
Hear about Digital Learning from Head of Rosedale House Mr David Hewlett and how the Foundation approach runs across all schools in the Stephen Perse Foundation, preparing pupils for the digital demand of a highly-connected world.
Apps
Apps at the Stephen Perse Foundation are used not only for learning, but also wellbeing and enrichment. Only certain apps are available to our students to maintain a safe and focused digital environment, those available change as our digital landscape evolves.
We use Google Workspace for our core apps throughout the Foundation. With the use of Google Classroom, students are able to access resources, tasks and support all in one place. Homework is set here and classes can be run remotely through Google Meet if students are offsite. Led by Classroom, Meet, Gmail (email), Calendar and Drive (file storage), the Google Workspace suite offers our students an incredible range of products to support their learning that integrate well together.
We recognise that there are apps that are of great benefit to our students mental and emotional wellbeing. These are available on our Self Service portal on the 1:1 iPads so they can be accessed outside of school.
Coding
As part of our various curriculums, we have a number of exciting coding and innovative technologies available to our students including a variety of hardware including Raspberry Pi's, Macs, PCs and BBC Micro:bit machines. We use a range of languages and equipment that will challenge our students and develop their coding and computational skills.
"...it takes great vision to plan for something as yet unknown.The Stephen Perse Foundation took a giant leap into the future nearly 10 years ago when they decided that children would learn with screens as well as books...the children at Stephen Perse have benefitted from that decision to embrace digital learning and place the school at the cutting edge."
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Digital safety
In addition to PSHE sessions on staying safe online, we have developed a series of excellent safeguarding and monitoring tools to increase digital safety at the Stephen Perse Foundation. As well as filtering and monitoring for all students within school, this is also available on school devices offsite for the Senior School years and below.
Parents/guardians also have the ability to restrict iPad access outside of school hours. They can choose which apps and services are available at certain times, giving them control over their child's access levels at home.
Only apps that are available in our Self Service portal can only be installed on school devices.