MANAGING ICT MANAGING ICT
The new cross-
between locations. Each building is fully wireless-
enabled allowing students to access their work from
phase Bridge
Learning Schools
different locations and offering flexibility for teaching
staff to share resources. The provision of an MLE also
allows them to access their work from home, the library,
or anywhere with an internet connection. Many of our
secondary school students now also have handheld
Campus in south
devices to access their learning on the move.
Bristol uses cutting-edge
ICT to help inspire their
within a
We have seen a really positive change in the students’
attitudes towards learning, and even at this early stage,
there has already been a marked improvement in
behaviour and attendance. Many of our secondary
school students have commented that they felt good
that money was being spent on their learning and are
1,450 students. CEO Mark
very proud of their new facilities.
Davies explains
school
We still have ambitious plans, including the move
towards a phased curriculum that will see students
taught in ability bands rather than year groups from
September. This will help achieve greater cohesiveness
between the four schools and marks the next step in our
ORN FROM the community’s bid to provide a smooth transition for learning.
B
aspirations for improved learning We are due to explore better methods to deliver home
opportunities for young people, learning, so plan to extend usage of the MLE to primary
Bridge Learning Campus opened school pupils and build upon its use by secondary
its doors in January to provide students. The MLE will also play an instrumental
education for learners in south role in helping to achieve the government’s 2010
Bristol, from primary school requirement for online reporting to parents. SecEd
through to higher education.
Funded by Building Schools for the Future to has been the sharing of knowledge between primary increasing the number of young people entering further • Mark Davies is CEO of the Bridge Learning Campus
improve relationships and communication between the and secondary teachers to implement best practice for and higher education in the area. in south Bristol, which works with managed service
local schools, our campus is one of the first of its kind interactive whiteboard use. Our managed learning environment (MLE) plays a provider Northgate Education.
in the UK, encompassing a primary school, secondary The primary school had been maximising the key role in this relationship, enabling quick and easy
school, special school, student support centre, and connectivity and creativity of their whiteboards for communication between partners. This then allows
dedicated Bridge College Centre. Recently awarded many years, while most of our secondary school teachers them to work closer with staff and students to help plan Technology at Bridge Learning Campus
Trust status, we also have support from the local college only had basic knowledge. Further to observing and the next steps for their future careers.
• Laptops
and university, helping to embed best practice for learning from the primary school, our secondary school Bringing together skills and experience from so
transition to further and higher education. students now benefit from ICT-confident teachers and many schools has presented teachers at Bridge Learning
• Interactive whiteboards
The campus has been designed to provide “schools maximum usage of the boards. Campus with a fantastic opportunity to collaborate and
• Handheld devices
within a school” – each having its own space and Now teachers also have high-speed internet and a learn from each other. It is also important to recognise • Voting systems
distinctiveness, yet sharing an overall vision and aims virtual learning environment (VLE) at their fingertips and that teachers need the same level of support as students
• Large plasma screens
for transforming expectations. they are making regular use of multimedia resources such while getting to grips with new technologies.
• Fully wireless-enabled campus
This represented a significant challenge to senior as YouTube to engage students and liven up lessons. All too often, teachers do not place enough emphasis
management as we worked to understand and implement Students are particularly engaged with the on their own learning, so we build ICT training into
• Centrally managed printing solution
best practice from all the different levels of education. technologies put in place to aid online learning and their CPD. This involves internal knowledge-sharing
using identity cards
However, a unified commitment to improving teaching collaboration, such as a VLE, laptops, and voting and external ICT training given by the managed • Cashless catering
and learning standards for students and staff, plus a systems. This has been the result of a close relationship service provider and has increased teacher confidence
• Online MLE, called N-able, for learners
shared understanding of pedagogy across all stages of with our managed service provider to ensure that every immensely. Teachers are now able to log-on to their
aged 11 and above, integrating the
learning has enabled us to achieve success. technology is tailored and personalised to student laptops and use the MLE to help each other learn new
A seamless transition for learning for students learning needs. skills and share resources.
management information system,
is underpinned by the staff’s exemplary use of ICT. As a Trust school, we now work in close partnership Due to the large site, staff and students regularly
VLE, library systems, building access,
Teacher attitudes towards the sharing and development with the City of Bristol College and the University of move between classrooms and buildings, so it is vital printing, and cashless catering
of pedagogy have been crucial. An example of this the West of England. This link will play a vital part in that they can communicate and collaborate easily
Please join us from 8.30am for
refreshments and a light breakfast,
followed by the workshop from
9am until 11am.
Birmingham - Tuesday 16th June
S chool Improvement
Kings Norton City Learning Centre
Leeds - Tuesday 16th June
Leeds West City Learning Centre
W orkshops
London - Tuesday 16th June
Brent: Preston Manor City Learning Centre
Portsmouth - Wednesday 17th June
Transforming self evaluation
City of Portsmouth Girls School
Merseyside - Wednesday 17th June
and planning with Perspective
St Helens City Learning Centre
Lincoln - Wednesday 17th June
1 6th to 25th June 2009
William Farr CE Comprehensive School
Oxfordshire - Thursday 18th June
at venues across the UK
The Cooper School
Gateshead - Thursday 18th June
Heworth Grange City Learning Centre
B ook your place today
Hertfordshire - Wednesday 24th June
Online www.sercolearning.com
Onslow St Audrey’s School
By email enquiries@sercolearning.com
Derby - Thursday 25th June
By phone 08456 888 500
Serco Learning Training Centre
Workshops
in your area
10 SecEd • May 14 2009
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20