End of a digital half term

So much has happened this half term with, once again, the impact of digital learning playing a key role.

Our pupils and staff are beginning to use iPads to make a real impact on learning. A good example of this was the recent development block (Blast Off) which offered pupils the first real opportunity to use our brand new iPads. Even at this early stage, and with a limited range of apps, pupils really did demonstrate the power of iPads as a learning tool.

During the week, pupils worked on a wide range of tasks, combining the best elements of traditional project work with the highly creative and flexible use of digital technology. The enjoyment amongst the pupils was obvious and there was much evidence of high level learning. This surely is the model for learning in the future.

 

Above you can see parents and carers enjoying the self created PE display as part of the project. The involvement of our parents and carers in development block projects has been another positive feature of our new curriculum model.

Have a good half term break.

 

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Our brilliant pupils!

Our pupils have, once again, demonstrated their extraordinary talents in a very successful day at the Teen Tech event which was held at the Liberty stadium. Pupils from years 8 and 9 won 6 out of the 10 overall prizes with competition from over 30 schools from West Wales to Newport, including:

- Best Engineering award

- Airbus Design award

- Best innovated app

- Best overall app

- Chemistry Innovation award

- JVC awards

Mrs Stevens led the day and commented:

"They all did us very proud and their behaviour was exemplary. They thoroughly enjoyed the day."

Another example of the wonderful talents of our pupils came in the recent 'Side by Side' productions at the Grand Theatre. Here is a comment from Mrs Williams that sums up just how amazing our pupils are:

"We know how brilliant our pupils are but we demonstrated that in spades both on and off the stage at The Grand this evening. They were an absolute credit and their discipline and maturity whilst waiting to perform was exemplary and especially backstage and in the wings".

Our pupils are excellent ambassadors for the school and continually demonstrate the high standards we aspire to at Bishop Gore. Well done to them all and a huge thank you to the teaching and support staff who support events such as those above; as,without this support, these opportunities would simply not exist.

 

 

 

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The future of Post 16 learning

I had a brilliant meeting last week with our new head boy and girl (Callum and Sophie). We talked about many of the issues surrounding sixth form provision and plans for the future.

One of the if issues facing any post 16 provider is ensuring the viability of all courses. The financial pressure is such that courses are faced with closure if numbers are too low.

One of the possible solutions we are considering is using digital technology to enable pupils to access learning. Our vision would be to issue iPads to all of our sixth form pupils. Sophie and Callum both agreed that this would have a major impact on the quality of their learning experiences and would fundamentally change the way lessons are delivered. It was also agreed that the use of digital technology would help pupils to organise themselves as well!

In terms of those courses that are not running could a combination of face-to-face teaching combined with digital learning outside the classroom be the answer? We think so and it something which we are going to focus on over the next few months.

 

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