Nottingham Schools Trust (NST)

In 2017, Nottingham Schools Trust (NST) formed a collaborative partnership focusing on improving education for the children of Nottingham in 32 schools across the county. The trust brings together all types of schools including maintained primary, special schools and standalone academies.

Almost all NST schools have invested in iPad and KRCS are the chosen partner of Nottingham City Council for supporting them with procurement and technical support. There is an appetite for teachers to see how Apple technology can enhance teaching and learning and improve outcomes, so KRCS have supported the Trust at their computer network groups with an Apple Professional Learning Specialist (APLS) to deliver sessions to subject leaders. 

APLS David Maguire has over 20 years of experience in education with some of that as a Primary Headteacher. He successfully implemented a 1:1 iPad programme across Key Stage 2 so this was a great opportunity to share his knowledge with NST.

Computer Network Groups

The sessions have focussed on how iPad can support coding, literacy, numeracy and other KS2 subject areas to help them develop a rich and creative curriculum using the built-in and free apps. The session included Universal Design for Learning and the role of technology e.g. coding with Swift Playgrounds and exploring Book Creator.

With more sessions already in the calendar, feedback has been very positive from all who attended, for example:

Very well presented and gave me lots of good ideas to use iPad with greater effect which I will take back to school and share with wider school staff.

Loved the consideration of primary school restraints by ensuring that everything demonstrated was easily accessible. I will feedback to subject leads how lessons can be enhanced with iPad and will audit which apps we use to make better use of them in school.

Lots of example of how to use iPad in different curricular areas in an approachable style of delivery.

Plenty of useful teaching ideas to take back to school with me.

Looking forward to more sessions, to understand how AI can enhance teaching and learning.