Is my school posh? -.-

[Xarea]

We got a grant from Toshiba of two million pounds to spend on ICT. The people round my area say it's a posh school. It's public, btw.

I want to know if you think it's a posh school. I'm not showing off or anything, but I get so irritated when people say it's for geeks and stuff.

Secondary School:
*removed*

New-town community school *removed* has invested in laptops for every secondary school pupil and classroom laptops for primary schoolchildren. A state-of-the-art wireless network has been installed throughout the campus, as have innovative lockers that can recharge notebooks. Discover how staff and pupils at this flagship school use world-class technology for empowered learning management.

School of the future
‘Life-long learning’ is a philosophy that many modern educators subscribe to, yet few educational establishments can claim to uphold this popular belief to the same extent as the *removed*. The forward-thinking headteachers here regard ICT as a core tool for learning and not as a ring-fenced subject taught with time and classroom limitations. *removed* secondary school Head at *removed*, and her colleague Catherine Finn, Headteacher of the primary school, were involved in the planning and pre-build stage of the new school development situated close to the M25 near Essex. Together, they persuaded the budget-conscious developers and local authority of the merits of modern learning with ICT. “ICT has altered the dynamics within a learning environment in a positive way,” enthuses Alison. “The content of a lesson is no longer limited to the extent of a teacher’s knowledge; neither is it imparted to a passive audience. Now, rich material from a variety of on-line resources can be incorporated into a lively and stimulating lesson."

Technology at its best
Their convincing argument paid off. Within a year of opening, this flagship school could boast class laptops for its primary school children, plus individual laptops for every secondary school pupil and teacher. A state-of-the-art wireless network invisibly runs through the Campus so there are no unwieldy cables, and users can roam freely on site whilst still accessing information
via their notebooks. Every class features an interactive whiteboard, and an electronic swipe card system solves security issues. Alison even worked closely with the manufacturers of the school lockers to create a safe, child-friendly storage unit that could also recharge laptop batteries.

A mentor for modern times
"Students of all ages are experiencing a fresh perspective on learning. ICT is empowering pupils to manage their own studying in a style right for them," explains Alison. “In my view, the role of a teacher in the 21st century is that of an ‘expert learner’. They have become mentors in their specialist subjects, working in tandem with their pupils. Together, they are pushing the boundaries of IT capabilities and discovering abundant resources on-line."

"Stepping into this brave new world is made easier for teachers as their pupils’ enthusiasm and fearless approach towards technology spurs them on," declares Alison.

"I like homework now!"
Students use their Toshiba notebooks to plan, research, communicate and present their work. 11-year-old pupil Tyler Betts, reveals, "I even enjoy doing my homework now and spend longer on it! My friends and I like creating PowerPoint presentations that include moving images, sound clips and unusual graphics."

For pupils who need support with their learning, using a laptop helps. Year 7 pupil Aleshea Davis, comments: "I prefer to use the computer. Gathering information from the Internet is really interesting and easy to do. My work looks so much neater." In fact, all of Year 7 benefit from home group teachers, who teach a range of
subjects across the curriculum, supported by ICT resources.

Even in CHC’s reception class, four-year olds nimbly navigate their way around laptop screens learning shapes and colours with ease. Class teacher Debbie Welborne is stunned at the natural affinity these youngsters have with technology: "All of the children really enjoy using the notebooks. The colourful and interactive learning programs capture their imagination, and as an added bonus, a child’s pincer grip and fine motor skills can improve through using the keyboard." This will help the child to develop and improve handwriting skills – a key priority for this age group.

Connected community
The entire community of new-town *removed* is benefiting from this educational nerve-centre. The architecturally striking building plays host to a nursery, primary and secondary school as well as an adult education centre and library. It is not uncommon to witness whole families using the centre’s facilities: toddlers hone their co-ordination skills using desktop computers in the nursery, whilst grandfathers surf the Internet next door in the library. In another wing, the lead lesson is underway, with Year 8 pupils delivering a multimedia PowerPoint presentation via their notebooks, while Mum does her weekly shop on-line in the CyberC@fe.

On the same wavelength
Toshiba was chosen to supply the entire stock of notebooks due to "Quality of product plus an unequivocal commitment to and understanding of the educational world," emphasises *removed*.

"We met with several companies but Toshiba was the only organisation that truly grasped our circumstances. Like us, they were keen to build a lasting, developmental relationship," adds Alison. Richard Lomer, Public Sector Manager at Toshiba, explains the company’s commitment towards education: "In nearly every classroom throughout the UK, there’s an ICT revolution underway. We see our role as helping the education sector embrace this – after all, today’s pupils are tomorrow’s leaders. At CHC, the great enthusiasm towards ICT is shared by teachers and pupils alike, creating a true team spirit." Toshiba’s authorised reseller, On-Line Computers (OLC), has worked with both *removed* and Toshiba from the site’s planning stage, and has already supplied hundreds of pre-configured notebooks. In addition, OLC supplied and supports Toshiba network servers, PCs and flat screens as well as the site’s integrated radio technology that enables roaming wireless access across the campus.Sales and Marketing Manager at OLC, Nick King, talks about the exceptional relationship that has led to the fruition of one of the largest fully wireless sites in the country. “It is a genuine partnership between customer, manufacturer and reseller, focusing on communication, personal relationships and a commitment to flexibility and quality of service."

Under the education microscope
In 2002, the then Secretary of State for Education visited the Campus site and encouraged both Headteachers to be “bold in shaping the future of education.” And as the school continues to be examined under the watchful eyes of educational experts, staff concentrate on preparing pupils for exams and the real world beyond.

[DannyyTBH.]

Is that Sorry i can not say the name of school on here is that in Birm?

[velocity]

Yea, thats posh. seriously.

my school are lucky enough to have a roof over there heads.

[Hitman]

I know where it is
And, um, I dunno but its cool!

[Ekalb]

Dude, of course it'd be very high quality (Posh) if it looked like that and didn't have a smashed window, some rubbish or some graffiti.
It looks like some kind of modern office block or something. It's amazing that it's public.

[Xarea]

Yea, thats posh. seriously.

my school are lucky enough to have a roof over there heads.

omg ihu

Is that Sorry i can not say the name of school on here is that in Birm?

Location: Essex, United Kingdom

im guessing not..

[Axel]

That is one awesome school dude. I'm not sure if it's posh, but it is amazing.

[bo$$]

Hmm..
That is one sexy school
LOL
My school is NOTHING like that :eusa_danc

[clarissa !!]

your well lucky.

[alexxxxx]

Is it private? It's a lovely school. V Posh. You're very lucky.