As you would expect we are continuously looking to improve the quality of Teaching and Learning at Chesterton and we provided staff and students with an exciting array of opportunities to develop their practice.
We have been honoured to be recognised as a World Class High Performance Learning School. Recent results including two successive years of achieving a Progress 8 score above 1 means students at Chesterton on average receive a grade higher at Chesterton compared to the national average we are in the top 1% of schools nationally. A focus on skills as well as knowledge alongside access to resources are key contributors to our teaching and learning. We believe the use of the iPad has contributed in allowing students to access these higher types of learning.
At its core we believe that spend on technology by parents and the school is inevitable and as such we must ensure that the money we invest makes the biggest difference.
We fundamentally believe that engaging and challenging traditional teaching with written outcomes contribute to the greatest progress and that clever and innovative technology can be used to support these aims. The quality of written work and homework have vastly improved by replacing word processors (school computer rooms and home laptops) with devices that can facilitate traditional functionality, but importantly progress to much better supporting the knowledge and comprehension that goes into written work – we see the results of this in sustained outstanding outcomes.
Over the course of the last six academic years the College has, with sufficient support from parents & carers, introduced tablets as learning devices at Chesterton.
We also understand that over reliance on technology will risk having the adverse effect and that with the technology itself comes more than just access to resources. A robust continuous eSafety program, technological solutions and tiered approach to family support all work to ensure that children use the devices sensibly and safely. Central the success of any school initiative is to link home and school life harmoniously and this is why we allow email and filtered internet access alongside age appropriate access to Apps for personal use. We find working with students and families on their online life and safety is more effective than sweeping issues under the carpet.
How the scheme works
Year 7
In Year 7, the school looks to provide all students with an iPad with restrictions on that enable students to develop their understanding of how to use iPads effectively in the classroom.
We know that effective use of the iPad can effectively support learning where: students are adept at using them for learning; they are used to bridge the gap between the teacher / textbook and the writing; support resources are accessible and where students feel the device is their own.
More information is available on the links on this page and towards he bottom of the page you will find the support we offer to parents.
Please see the list of apps for year 7 below.
Skitch Lexia Strategies Onenote Dc Circuit Builder Hudl Technique Nearpod Onedrive Word QR Reader Seesaw Sway Aurasma PowerPoint Flashcards Socrative Popplet lite adobe Spark Page thinglink |
charades! Plotagon Thinking Kit Book Creator Quizlet Geogebra Edmodo Puppetpals HD Adobe spark Video Excel Study Blue Post-it plus Explain Everything iMovie Adobe Acrobat Showbie Build-a-body |
Year 8- 11
Option B1 – I will donate one lump sum of 400 to the school fund. I will pay this amount in full by Friday 12 July 2019. I expect the school to provide my child with a tablet for personal use for Years 8, 9, 10, and 11.
Option B2 – I will make a donation to the school fund, of the amount indicated below, each month. I understand that a donation of 10 per month covers the cost of one device. My donations will start in September 2019, with the last donation being made in April 2023 (i.e. the remainder of my childs time at Chesterton). I expect the school to provide my child with a tablet for personal use for Years 8, 9, 10, and 11.
Option C – I am unable / unwilling to contribute to the scheme.
We know that some parents are on low incomes, even though their child is not entitled to Free School Meals. If there is a genuine hardship issue and you are concerned about your ability to pay the full amount, please still tick your preferred box and return this form but also e-mail Martin Russell in confidence on mrussell@chesterton.cambs.sch.uk Alternatively, you can write to Martin Russell, Chesterton Community College, Gilbert Road, Cambridge CB4 3NY.