VIEW FROM THE CLASSROOM
VR done right: a tool for transforming education
Birkenhead, Wirral. Originally opened in 1959, the school became an academy in January 2024, when we joined Leading Learners Multi- Academy Trust. We currently have around 350 pupils on roll. Our pupils come from a range of backgrounds, with just under a third eligible for the pupil premium.
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n this month’s View from the Classroom feature, we hear from Mike Byrne, Assistant Headteacher at Overchurch Junior School, Wirral. Here, he explains how teachers are using virtual reality to give students a range of immersive learning opportunities.
Tell us about your school.
Overchurch Junior School is a three-form entry junior school for pupils aged 7-11 in
We’re very lucky to have a lot of land around the school and a lot of greenery. I used to teach in an inner-city school in London where there wasn’t much space, and the difference the environment has on the children is huge. We are a high-achieving school with an ambitious curriculum and a strong reputation in the local community. Our curriculum is broad and balanced, and is designed to help all children know and remember more, building on prior learning. Reading is at the heart of our curriculum, and we strive to ensure every child has a love of reading. We have high expectations for every learner in the important years they spend with us. In last year’s key stage 2 results, our scores for both reading and maths were above the local authority and all-England average.
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As well as our academic focus, we pride ourselves on our kind, caring attitude. We nurture children, preparing them for the challenges they will encounter beyond Overchurch Junior School and in the next stage of education and in life.
When did you first start to use virtual reality in school?
I first discovered ClassVR at an education technology workshop three years ago, and from the moment I saw it in action, I knew it had incredible potential. As someone who’s
April 2025
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