I have enjoyed a week of comparison and reflections. It is hard not to compare the changes in our weather – and frozen toes have been a low point – but I have also enjoyed reflecting on the exciting comparison of old vs new, or traditional vs modern across our school.

The inspiration for this was seeing the incredible examples of technology being used around the school in Maths, English and Art, our Year 6 children competing in the OUCC computational thinking event and a meeting to plan our ongoing and future commitment to the use of technology, led by Miss Perry and Mr Maxwell. We reviewed the progress the children (and staff) have made since the introduction of 1:1 devices and how this has opened up so many additional opportunities for learning.

The obvious areas that technology has enhanced would include the depth, understanding and creative use of technology, programming, and the importance of how to use it safely and discerningly.  It has also revolutionized the depth of research and information sharing available to us and, perhaps most powerfully, allowed the children to create and present their thoughts and work in modern and innovative ways, which some traditional methods can restrict for certain individuals.

We continually review to keep our delivery modern and relevant and it is always exciting to discuss not just advances in technology but also changing attitudes and approaches to different subjects. Sport continues to evolve and we are currently discussing how our approach and delivery can provide the best opportunities for all of the children to engage, challenge and inspire. Every subject area across the school will go through this process of review during the next year. Another exciting area that transcends traditional and modern educational concepts and delivery is STEM and we are excited with plans to further expand this area of our curriculum. We are extending and integrating our IT suite into our fantastic STEM centre as well as adding to our use of technology with 3D printing and Virtual Reality. I very much enjoyed my LEGO club this week and this incredible product is perhaps the greatest example of a hands-on, engaging and wonderfully abatable way to bring learning to life. There are several superb applications that help inspire creativity but ultimately rely on making and breaking things with our hands.

Of course there are many, more traditional aspects to a good education that we are keen to preserve. Monday sees International Handwriting Day, when we will celebrate this aspect of the children’s learning that is still very important to us. Approaches to our creative subjects remain largely tech free and long may that continue. We will celebrate both the modern and traditional with an open mind and always ask ourselves what is the best approach for our children, does it help then progress and does it prepare them for what is next.

I leave you with a poem about BPS:

In Banstead’s halls, where knowledge dwells,

They pave their way to bright tomorrow’s day.

 

 

Preparing young minds for life’s great spells,
With teachers kind, and wisdom sage,
This school doth set the future’s stage.
Where pupils learn and grow with glee,
And strive for excellence constantly,
In arts and sport, in work and play,

With knowledge gained, and friendships true,
Banstead’s pupils bid farewell, anew,
To face the world, with hearts full-grown,
And memories of this school, forever known.

It was written by an AI chat programme!