Why?

Since September 2022 Barnsole Primary School has been working with Leo Academy Trust on a 1:1 Device Project.

Research conducted by Leo Academy Trust found that the digital sector now accounts for 7.7% of the UK economy and the Government has long since recognised that digital skills are an essential part of the UK’s long-term economic success. Digital inclusion is vital to employment participation, economic development, educational achievement, social and civic inclusion, health and wellbeing. Many people continue to be digitally excluded and, importantly, as technology changes there is a growing risk of a participation gap in terms of a person's ability to engage with technology. Inclusion is evolving with changes in technology and the way we teach.

Timeline:

• In September 2022 we introduced the 1:1 devices to Year 3. These devices moved up with the children into Year 4.
• In September 2023, we have offered devices to all of our new Year 3 pupils. Moreover, to support our Year 6 children with their transition to secondary school, we decided to also introduce 1:1 devices to all Year 6 pupils this year. 
• By September 2024 all children in KS2 will have their own 1:1 device.

Project Aims:

Barnsole will be starting the project for children to:

• have more opportunities to learn alongside peers;
• be given more problem solving opportunities;
• build skills and have opportunities to connect, collaborate and learn in new ways;
• foster creativity and critical thinking;
• promote self-learning by the pupils.

One of the aims is to use the technology for pupils, staff and parents/carers to work as a community to help our young learners thrive. This fits in with the vision of our learning beyond the school day. We know that some of our most disadvantaged children do not have access to technology or the affordances to have education beyond the school day.

What we are expecting from the project is to be able to extend it to further over the next few years to allow the most vulnerable to access distance learning and improve life chances, which will allow all KS2 pupils to have access to the devices. The plan is for KS1 to then be introduced to the project, by using a 1:1 device in school, preparing the children for when they are able to take the devices home in KS2.