Home Page Haverhill News

Castle Manor Academy has launched an important learning project which the academy hopes will shape learning for the future.

Students that are set to join year seven in September will be leading the way in digital learning when they are each issued with a tablet device.

Each student will get their own Apple iPad, which they will use in every lesson to transform the way they learn.

The devices mean that students will have uninterrupted access to ICT facilities, which work more flexibly than their current desktop counterparts.

Students will have access to a range of apps, which will give them access to resources and online course materials.

Initially the devices will be used to focus on academy targets in literacy, numeracy and improving communication.

The project has been planned by a group of staff and students, who have already been working hard to ensure that the devices can be used effectively.

Incoming head of school Matthew Gibson has been leading the group and is keen to see the success of the project.

He said: “This is a really exciting project, that will change the way students learn. The iPads will revolutionise the way students access ICT, communicate with their teachers and the way they lead their own learning.”

Mr Gibson starts full time with Castle Manor Academy in September and is coming from Newport Free Grammar School.

He said: “We thought long and hard about the best way to implement this at Castle Manor Academy and we feel the biggest benefit comes when students have uninterrupted one-to-one access to a device. We’re really keen to see what the students can achieve when they start to truly lead learning.”

The project was announced to parents last week and the new students are already excited about what the impact will be.

Jacqueline Player, whose son James joins Castle Manor from Burton End, was buoyant about the prospect.

She said: “I have an iPad at home and both of my children enjoy using it. James is very creative and uses it to make movies, write scripts and to practice his maths.

"It would have been a huge help to me at school and university and I think they’ll find a variety of ways to use them in their learning.
”
James is also excited about the project, saying: “Moving to secondary school is exciting, as I’ll be learning in a different way. I really hope that the iPad will help to keep me organised and look at learning in a new way.”

Another parent, Claire Sutton, whose son is moving to Castle Manor from Place Farm Primary Academy, is positive about what it might do to ease transition.
She said: “Jack has been nervous about the change of schools. Obviously that has been helped hugely by the fact that he already knows so many staff through work with the Castle Partnership.

"He’s looking forward to some of the practical help the iPad will provide. The iPads will be loaded with an app to help children navigate their way around the campus and in to secondary school life. I’m sure he’ll be able to use it to lead his own learning and respond to his enquiring mind.”