We are delighted to have been shortlisted for two TES Independent School Awards this year, one of which is for ‘The Best Use of Technology’ Award. Below is just a summary of some of the great work we have accomplished over the last academic year, which was shared with TES to be shortlisted for this award.

At Norwich High School the use of devices is fully integrated into school life. Every member of staff and every pupil, from Reception to Upper 6, has an iPad, giving them a powerful set of tools at their fingertips with which to revolutionise their learning experience.

Over the last five years, the use of technology in school has become pivotal,, affecting every area of school life from the way we work as a staff body and the way we teach in the classroom, to the way our girls learn and the way we share that learning with their parents.

Utilising our school iPads, students have found it easier to manage and organise their work. Their devices give them ready access to all the tools they need to support their learning. The iPad also encourages collaboration and creativity in lessons and provides them with opportunities to experience authenticity in their learning experiences. It is so intuitive, even the youngest pupils can produce high quality work with little adult support.

Technology has transformed our approach to teaching and learning and has brought many benefits.

One such benefit was being awarded Apple Distinguished School status for 2019-22. This highly prestigious award recognises our breadth of vision for learning using technology, with Norwich High School being the only Senior School in Norfolk and the only school within the GDST to hold it. We have published our own iBook (Learning Without Limits) on the Apple iBook store, explaining our journey and showcasing examples of the creativity shown by the girls in their use of the iPad for learning.

Staff have noticed that workflow is now much more efficient, saving significant time and effort, which can be redirected elsewhere. In our latest Learning Technologies survey by Apple, 94% of the staff said they were prepared for teaching with technology.

Other notable statistics include:

• 98% of the staff said that pupils create more professional looking products with technology

• Almost 90% of the staff said technology makes it easier to manage their pupils’ assignments and grades.

• Over 80% of the staff said that the students can manage their own learning more independently using technology.

• 90% of staff said the students put more effort into their assignments when using technology.

• 92% of staff said that using technology encourages their pupils to be more collaborative.

Our transition to Guided Home Learning has been very smooth as a result of the digital competence of the staff and students before the lockdown began. Learning in all phases of the school continued uninterrupted, with live access to their teachers and peers throughout the day, in lessons and socially.

• 94% of parents said they were satisfied with the Guided Home Learning provision

• 92% of parents felt their daughter was connected to the rest of the school community.

• 92% of parents say their daughter found the work manageable with 96% reporting that the work contained an appropriate level of challenge.

• 96% of parents were positive about the range of activities on offer for their daughters during Guided Home Learning.

We look forward to the TES Independent School Awards Virtual Ceremony which takes place next week (Friday 30th April 2021), and will update you if we win either award on the night.

You can see the full shortlist here: https://www.isawards.co.uk/2021/en/page/shortlist