Case Study: Solving Problems Together - E2BN

Solving Problems Together
Focus on Learning platforms
Primary/whole school
Top tips from Peatmoor
Community Primary
School
· Try focusing on a
particular subject area
that would benefit from
extra input
· Working in a
collaborative group
helps to share the
burden
· Give all staff time to
‘play’ with the
functionality to increase
confidence
· Be aware of the amount
of extra work it will
require – but don’t give
up!
· Keep parents and pupils
fully informed from the
start to encourage
commitment
Want to find out more
www.teachernet.gov.uk/
learning platforms
Peatmoor Community Primary School focuses on
maximising each child’s potential and aims to instil a true
passion for learning. Always seeking new ways to broaden
and enhance learning, Peatmoor’s headteacher identified
an exciting new approach to Maths teaching. Using their
Regional Broadband Consortium’s portal to work
collaboratively with Wroughton Juniors, Toothill Primary,
Tregoze Primary and Moredon Juniors, the Secret Agent
Maths project was born.
Teachers identified Yr 5 pupils who had shown promise but who
needed a boost before Yr 6. The intention was to select children
who understood and enjoyed using ICT and who would gain
additional benefits from acquiring an independent learning style and
developing internet navigation knowledge. Alison Capstick, the
Learning Network Co­ordinator based at Peatmoor Primary, explains
the next steps, “Because parental involvement and support was
critical to the project’s success, a comprehensive “Parents’ Pack”
containing FAQs and what it would mean for each child was
provided right at the start. We wanted to encourage commitment to
the scheme so the pack included a “Contract” which each pupil,
his/her parent or guardian and the appropriate school signed. This
gave families a sense of involvement in the scheme.”
With the foundation for the project in place, the scope of the actual
work got underway. New problems were introduced each term and
dedicated teaching assistants explained the particular focus each
week, which was then supported by up to two hours’ additional work
through the portal. This was where the learning platform really came
into its own, with pupils able to choose to work online from home or
using school facilities if that was more convenient. The learning
platform used delivered good interoperability but was functional
rather than engaging. Alison explains, “The portal gave us the
technology to work collaboratively but the interface wasn’t very
vibrant and we were concerned that pupils might “switch­off”. So we
agreed to make the learning activities the exciting aspect of the
scheme and created the ‘Secret Agent’ theme.”

Focus on Learning platforms
Primary/whole school
“Overall the biggest ‘pro’
in favour of this way of
teaching and learning is
that it works!”
Alison Capstick, Learning
Network Co­ordinator, Peatmoor
Primary
“Each pupil became a secret agent receiving a new assignment each
week. A host of colourful characters were created, including Prof and
Secret Agent X, to help them as they worked towards completing the
ultimate goal of their mission. The theme ensured that the activities
were engaging and rewarding for the pupils, while delivering effective
learning outcomes under the control and guidance of teachers.”
The proof of the pupils’ enthusiasm for this more independent and
collaborative way of learning appears to be confirmed by the retention
rate. Of the 50 pupils who started the programme, only two failed to
complete the full year. Alison explains, “While it is difficult to directly
attribute improvement to the project, many of the pupils involved have
demonstrated an increase in mathematical ability. At Peatmoor all
but one of the pupils progressed based on their Yr 4 results and
anecdotally both teachers and parents have remarked on pupils’
increased confidence and more positive attitude to Maths.”
The National Education Network
provides schools with a secure
network over which a range of
quality broadband services and
content are delivered consistently
for learning. www.nen.gov.uk
Alison summarises, “As with anything new, there have been
challenges to overcome too. It has meant an increased workload but
time and familiarity will ease this in the future. The technical issues of
sharing resources across the network caused some problems early
on, but these can be ironed out with the correct support, and coordinating
people across five sites will always be a challenge!
Overall, the biggest ‘pro’ in favour of this way of teaching is that it
works! Pupils enjoy participating in something new, staff have
acquired new IT skills, class based learning has been enhanced
resulting in increased confidence and schools have worked
collaboratively to share knowledge and expertise.” With a successful
project under their belts, the schools involved are now all looking to
the future to develop their use of learning platforms.