Surrey Homes | SH27 | January 2017 | Health & Beauty supplement inside

Bruce Grindlay
Headmaster Sutton Valence School
What range of technologies do your students have
access to in the classroom on a daily basis?
We value combining more traditional teaching methods
with new innovations to ensure that we give our pupils
experience of relevant technologies and how they
can be used. In addition to two age-appropriate ICT
suites, our teachers and pupils have access to interactive
whiteboards, bringing the curriculum to life, and a
bank of iPads which are used across all subjects.
Above: The beautiful facade of Battle Abbey School
What effect has social media had on
students’ relationships and behaviour?
At Battle Abbey we take E-Safety very seriously and
it is incorporated into lessons across the curriculum.
In all computing lessons we dedicate a term to
learning about E-Safety and how pupils should
interact with social media. We also participate in
the nationwide Safer Internet Day in February.
How has technology been incorporated into
the curriculum, other than ICT lessons?
We enjoy the juxtaposition of occupying such a historical
location and providing our pupils with the cutting edge
technology that they and their families would expect
from an independent education. A great many subjects
incorporate technology into the classrooms, perhaps
most notably science where not only do iPads and hand
held devices help pupils access the curriculum, but allow
pupils to work collaboratively on projects via the school’s
wireless network. We are very conscious of pupils’ often
very specific individual learning needs and technology
can be a huge enabler in terms of synergy with each of
their learning styles. Our campus is fully covered by a
wireless network (even though the thick Abbey walls
do their best to make this as difficult as possible!).
How do you control the use of mobile
phones within school hours?
The advent of modern phone technology has made this
increasingly difficult to enforce. The school’s wireless system
is fitted with a FortiGate filter unit, but pupils will always
be able to access 3G via their smart phones if they so choose.
However, pupils in KS3 have their phones routinely collected
in morning registration and they are kept under lock and key
for the duration of the school day. For older pupils, phones
are not allowed to be used at break time or in lessons unless
expressly permitted by a teacher. Our focus is on education as
a form of prevention and this, allied with the school’s robust
policy on the matter, has meant that transgressions are few
and far between and effectively dealt with if they do occur.
Battle Abbey School 01424 772385 battleabbeyschool.com
How do you keep up to date with the fastchanging
technology world?
Technologies are consistently changing and improving. As
a school we utilise specialists and our staff to investigate
the best ICT practice for each area of the school. Staff are
regularly trained and visit technology conferences, such
as BETT, to support their ongoing development. We are
not swayed by fads, but carefully consider what is the most
appropriate and educationally beneficial technology.
How has technology been incorporated into
the curriculum, other than ICT lessons?
Across the curriculum, subject heads are encouraged
to engage with ICT as part of their planning
process. Staff also share ideas within regular curriculum
meetings. Recent examples include creating eBooks, video
editing, presentations, spreadsheets and even coding.
‘Minecraft’ has also been introduced as a club and is
often used as a teaching resource where appropriate.
What effect has social media had on
students’ relationships and behaviour?
As a prep school, many of the children are not yet engaged in
social media. However, with an ethos where each cares for all,
we believe in preparing them to use social media, computers
and mobile phones responsibly. Our school community is
very supportive and we work with families to inform and
equip their children to use technology in a balanced and
safe way that maintains respect for themselves and others.
Below: Sutton Valence Prep School
Sutton Valence School 01622 845206 / 842117 svs.org.uk
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