Peterborough education trust to pilot iPads for pupils

Thomas Deacon Education Trust (TDET) has launched ‘Transform’ which aims to “change the way staff and pupils work, learn and even think across the trust”.

TDET runs schools including: Thomas Deacon Academy, Queen Katharine Academy Gladstone Primary Academy, Welbourne Primary Academy and Richard Barnes Academy.

Teachers will receive training on how best to utilise the iPads in the classroom and will be able to support pupils to use the apps and resources provided to develop their learning.

The pilot phase will see the distribution of 500 iPads across the trust, including children from every stage and age and looking at cohorts with different educational needs.

TDET said Transform feeds into its digital strategy which “aims to create a digital future that allows all members of the TDET community to excel in digital and non-digital worlds”.

Jenny Brassington, school development lead at TDET, said: “We are very excited to be launching the pilot phase of Transform. At TDET we strive to provide outstanding teaching and learning and an ethos and culture that encourages everyone to be the very best they can be.

“Our research over the last six months has shown us the significant impact iPads can have on broadening pupils’ learning experiences and, during the pilot phase, we will be looking in practice at the benefits that iPads can bring for our pupils and their teachers.

“If this phase of the project is successful we will begin the exciting process of rolling out iPads to the remaining 5,000 members of staff and pupils across the trust.”

TDET is being supported by Apple’s Education Team and Academia (the Technology Group) for Education.