Happy New Year

I hope you have all had a restful break as our thoughts turn to the new year in school. This year promises so much after having had such a positive start last term.

In Years 7, 8 and 9, we continue to develop our new curriculum model. The structure of learning and development blocks appears to be making a real impact on the way in which pupils are accessing and developing learning opportunities. We are also investigating strategies to ensure that all pupils have the literacy and numeracy skills that will give them the ‘life chances’ we often hear about.

Whilst Curriculum 2012 is primarily focussed on Key Stage 3, the fact that it offers a personalised learning experience for all pupils will mean that pupils completing Key Stage 3 will be accessing the next phase of their learning in a different way. The key is to ensure that pupils are able to progress in the way that best suits their learning needs. The implication of this in the near future will be that pupils will be learning with pupils from other year groups and completing their KS4 studies as and when they are ready to do so.

Finally, our sixth form provision is also being reviewed. A great deal if time has been spent ensuring that all of our pupils (and also those outside the school) are fully aware of the learning opportunities that exist in our sixth form. We are now entering the period where all of our pupils will be interviewed in order to identify accurately the most appropriate course of study for them. It really is an important period for all involved.

As can be seen, there is a great deal to look forward to in the new year and we certainly are not going to waste any time in ensuring that we move the school on still further. It really is an exciting time at Bishop Gore!

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda!

 

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The future of digital learning at Bishop Gore

As this is the last blog post of the year, it is quite timely to review our progress in terms of digital technology. A summary of the developments so far are as follows:

Year 13 pupils all have access to their own iPad, with plans being discussed to extend this provision to our year 12 pupils as well.

Over 200 iPads are available for use by years 7 and 8 pupils.

Plans are being drawn up for other year groups to have access to iPads, with the aim of us being a 1:1 school with all pupils having their own device for use at home and at school.

A new Mac Music and Art studio has been set up containing a number of iMacs, music keyboards and so on.

We have started to replace interactive whiteboards with LCD televisions.

All of the initiatives above are very exciting and x their introduction into the classroom environment has created a very positive feeling BUT the key issue now is to ensure that the new technology has an impact on learning. To do this we must ensure that:

Pupils and staff have the skills required to identify when accessing digital technology will impact positively on learning, in much the same way as carrying a pencil case and deciding when to use it and what to use.

Following on from the last point, pupils and staff need access to the technology when they need it and not have to queue/book.

Pupils and staff need to be aware of the apps that are available that will impact on learning. Often these are ‘generic’ and not subject specific in that they can be used across most disciplines.

The digital technology needs to be used as a bridge between school and home. Parents and carers need to be involved in learning and this provides us with an excellent opportunity to do so.

Learning and teaching has to change in order to exploit the best elements of digital technology. Pupils, parents and carers can now access learning in a way we never imagined to be possible and the way in which we, as teachers, plan learning activities has to change fundamentally in order to facilitate this.

Finally, to be successful, digital technology needs to be combined with the other teaching and learning strategies that have been developed over the years.

We are at a crucial stage of our development in terms of the use of digital technology. The future is extremely exciting and we must ensure that Bishop Gore is not left behind.

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Another busy week

This has been one of those weeks that has been both exhausting and incredibly exciting.

On Tuesday, we had a wonderful training session led by Sarah Reece from Casllwchwr Primary School. The theme of the session was the impact of iPad technology on literacy and numeracy. Sarah showed us a range of apps that she uses in her school, all of which have real links to the development of literacy and numeracy skills. It was obvious that these are making a huge impact in Casllwchwr and it our challenge to implement these strategies in Bishop Gore.

On Thursday, we held our Sixth Form Open Evening. This was an undoubted success with a huge turnout from pupils, parents and carers from our school and other institutions. It really is important that we continue to develop our sixth form provision as we all believe that the 11-18 learning environment is so important for our pupils to experience. This evening proved that there is very strong support for our sixth form and bodes well for the future.

 

 

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Digital parents and carers

As we progress through the term, the important role that digital technology plays in learning is becoming ever more evident.

Pupils and staff are developing an increasing range of digital skills with an iPad often being as important as a pen or pencil in an increasing number of lessons.

The next stage for us is to ensure that parents and carers feel able to play a role in digital learning.

The graphic above highlights how digital learning that takes place in school can also involve parents and carers. As can be seen, pupils and teachers are using a range of apps to help with their learning and now, as these resources are digital, it should be easy for us to involve parents. This is our next challenge.

 

 

 

 

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Autumn video newsletter........

Autumn Newsletter from Bishop Gore on Vimeo.

 

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End of a digital half term

It only does seem like yesterday when we we returned to school after the summer break and it's half term already!

Over the last few weeks, we have seen some major developments in the way in which we use digital technology in learning.

• Our year 13 pupils now all have iPads which they can use at school and at home
• Year 7 and 8 pupils now have access to iPads on a 1:1 basis for their development block and other work
• Our pupils for whom English is an additional language, now have access to iPads throughout all lessons
• A number of staff now have access to ipads

As you may have read in previous posts, the intention is to move towards a sitaution where every pupil has access to an ipad in the near future.

We look forward to seeing all pupils when we return on Monday 4th November and to sharing with you the next stage of our digital journey.

 

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1:1

We are beginning to see how access to iPads is having a positive impact on learning outcomes as pupils access those that are available in school. We have seen some highly creative use of iPads by our pupils, with the best use being when they are able to have access to the device when it is needed for their learning. Having to book a device or a room is simply not good enough any more as pupils require access to digital technology when they feel they need it most.

The solution is to ensure that all pupils have access to iPads, at any time, without having to share. To be able to achieve this, we are currently working with the eLearning Foundation to develop a programme which would allow all pupils to have access to an ipad at home and at school. This would be funded by a system of donations from those parents and carers who are able and wish to participate in the scheme.

Here is a short video explaining how the programme works. Our governors have discussed this briefly and will be meeting again in November to look at the programme in more detail.

 

An introduction to the elearning foundation initiative. from Bishop Gore on Vimeo.

If you have any questions about this exciting initiative, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

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