Whetstone Field Primary School

Stuart Cox is the Headteacher at Whetstone Field Primary School, a single-form entry school in Aldridge, Walsall. His relationship with KRCS spans more than 13 years, beginning during his time as Headteacher at Brownhills West Primary School.

An avid Apple Education user, Stuart initially worked with KRCS for advice and support around a set of white MacBooks in school. When he moved to Whetstone Field, one of his first major investments was a class set of MacBook Pro devices, continuing his commitment to using technology to support teaching and learning.

We have worked with KRCS for a number of years and they have played an important part in helping us develop the use of technology across school.

Laying the Foundations for Digital Learning

In 2016, Stuart began exploring the possibilities of using iPad across the school, initially introducing a shared set of iPad 2 devices. KRCS supported the school with the configuration and management of the devices using Casper Suite, now called Jamf, alongside Apple Professional Learning (APL) to support teachers in developing their confidence and understanding of how iPad could be used effectively in the classroom.

APL was key to ensuring the focus was not simply on introducing new technology, but on how it could enhance teaching and curriculum delivery. Teachers were given opportunities to explore practical ways of using iPad to support creativity, collaboration, communication and assessment, helping them integrate the technology into their existing teaching practice and giving pupils new ways to engage with and demonstrate their learning.

The biggest impact has been in the way the iPads have helped pupils to become more independent, creative and confident learners. They are used across the curriculum in so many different ways, from researching and presenting work to creating videos, recording learning and supporting pupils who may need a different way to access a task.

From 1:1 Deployment to Digital Assessment

In 2018, Stuart took the next step and introduced a 1:1 iPad scheme across KS2. KRCS supported the school through a Planning Essentials workshop, a parent information evening and the deployment of the devices, alongside further days of Apple Professional Learning for staff. This combination of planning, professional learning and technical support helped the school establish a clear vision for how iPad would support teaching and learning.

In 2021, the school further developed its approach to assessment and invested in Seesaw. Teachers now had a digital platform to capture, organise and share pupils’ work. Pupils could record their progress in a range of ways, including photos, videos, drawings, written work and audio, giving teachers a clearer picture of individual progress and providing an effective way to share outcomes with parents.

iPad as an Everyday Learning Tool

Today, the successful 1:1 scheme has been extended from Y3 upwards, with iPad now seen as an everyday tool across the school. Teachers use it to enhance and support curriculum delivery, while pupils can create, collaborate, research and demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.

What has been particularly pleasing is how naturally the technology is now used. The children do not see the iPads as a special activity; they simply see them as another tool they can choose to help them learn.

KRCS have always been supportive, approachable and knowledgeable, and their advice over the years has helped us to make sure that our investment in technology has had a genuine impact in the classroom.