Transformation Agenda

A Role for Technology-Enhanced Learning

The Abersychan Experience

Abersychan School

• 11-16 mixed comprehensive

• Located in north Torfaen

• Communities First = 50% of catchment

• FSM exceeds 20% of pupils

• 25%-30% of pupils on SEN register

• Level 2 Threshold on 40% cusp until 2010

Abersychan’s historical perspective regarding ICT

• Forward thinking – ICT co-ordinator on SLT

• Traditionally a good PC-pupil ratio

• Interactive whiteboard plan prior to Plaza

• Wireless plan prior to Plaza

• Thinking about plaza development prior to Plaza

• Close working relationship with LEA

Shared vision

• LEA vision – develop technology enhanced pedagogy

• ICT developments in several Abersychan feeder schools

• Abersychan willing to embrace LEA vision – saw ICT as an invaluable learning tool

• Abersychan willing to commit resources

• Primary “time-bomb”

Heads of the Valley funding

• Initially £40K – school wireless plan became a reality (school commit = £20K)

• £500K becomes available for the Plaza and banks of laptops

• Location agreed – plaza/VC/TV suite

• Plaza developed March-May 2009

Challenges: immediate

• Location . . . . re-rooming

• Caretaking team’s priorities changed

• Technician’s priorities changed – staffing issue re: reports

• Planning time for 2009-2010 – tight window for curriculum/timetable

• Software for the kit

Challenges – short/medium term

• Staff fears – pupil power!!

• Staff training: ready for 2009-2010

• Technical support expertise required – TV studio

• Assessment using new technology

• E-safety

• Primary schools – different levels of development

Challenges – long term

• Sustainablity

• Compatability as hardware is updated

• Economy

Strategy for development

• Technician full time in plaza – additional ICT support brought in

• Recording studio specialist hired• LEA provided with development area• Curriculum development agreed for 09/10• Staff training programme developed – not all

technophiles• Timetabled support doubled as CPD • Reviewed every half-term

Opportunities• Learning Plaza is eye-catching - motivational• Wireless school with banks of laptops makes

every classroom an ICT suite• Teaching/Learning enhanced across school• Differentiated/personalised curriculum• VC links with USA, China, Canada, Primary

feeders• TV Studio development – magistrates project• The Blaenavon Data centre – employment and

data storage opportunities

Impact

• Part of a regeneration since 2007

• ESTYN very positive in 2009 Inspection

• Parental response has been positive

• Community response very positive

• Kudos – visitors including politicians, WAG, Microsoft, African education

• Huge “feel-good” factor

Impact

• Greater use of ICT across the school, especially outside the plaza

• Pupil motivation improved

• Staff confidence growing

• Results – 5A*-C (L2 Threshold) hit 54%!!?

• Behaviour – fewer exclusions?