Rising to the challenge : Sawtry Information Technology Academy
in a connected learning school and community
Alan Stevens : Associate Principal
ChallengesDepartment for Education (DfE)schoolingeBaccOFSTEDno focus on ITA or DiplomaBusiness Innovation and Skills (BIS)STEM – science, technology, engineering, mathematicsskills shortage - employability
Setting the scene
• Sawtry C.C. an Academy since 1st August 2011• 1400 (mixed) 11-18 year olds in a traditional Cambridgeshire
“village college” on the A1M between Peterborough and Huntingdon. Commute – Cambridge/London/Birmingham
• Centre of Excellence for Mathematics and Computing• Microsoft Partner in Learning Mentor School• ICT Register Advocate School• Prince’s Teaching Institute• Training School• Sawtry Multitask – IT Academy providing a facility, service
and Microsoft products in a rural area.• Outcomes – 70% 5 A*-C including Maths & English (96%)
compared with eBACC – 3% What are we measuring? What is best for the learner?
What do you see? School or Learning Campus
IT Academy
The Tony Robinson Centre
Public Library
The Digital Age – Decade. Current Year 7 – Born 2000
What is on offer ? – ICT CurriculumPathways to success in the next decade:Learners are empowered – Alan NovemberTeachers have the learning technologies, connectivity and software – challenge to harness the potential in the classroom and through inter-active learning platforms.Key Stage 3 – OCR National curriculum for three years Key Stage 4 – OCR National ICT. First year of offering GCSE I.T. for top set. In third year of offering I.T. Diploma (22 students)Key Stage 5 – OCR A level ICT ( 28 students) and A level AppliedICT (15 students). Last year 6 students completed the Level 3 I.T. Diploma combined with A levels maths, science and business.
Year 8 Digigirl to Year 10 World Champion
Congratulations Rebecca
Year 9 Digital Literacy
Year 10 Microsoft Office Specialist
Year 12 and 13 Enrichment Programme
Parents , Grandparents re-designing adult education
Professional Development Centre – Initial Teacher Training
Continuous professional development for teachers
VITAL : in-house professional development partnership
Professional development for support staff: Megabites
Sawtry I T Academy – looking forward
Digital Literacy CurriculumMicrosoft Office Specialist (MOS) coursesPromote and support Self-Start Learning Kits
Offer computer technician and support technician and Web developer programmes.
CEOP: e-safety www.childnet.com and www.parentport.org.uke.g. Using the Cloud – what does it mean for your child and family ?
Digital Leaders in KS 3 Years 7- 9
Digital Leaders progressing as I T Academy trainers 14-19 and working with apprenticeship schemes/partners
RSA Vision 2030 – Education and Skills in the Cambridge and wider area. Thinking Skills events organised by Microsoft in Year 8, progressing to Year 12.
Skills Vision – Opportunity Peterborough
Sawtry IT Academy has signed up to the Skills VisionPeterborough Skills Service:Information and support for careers informationCurriculum supportDeveloping employabilityEducational staff developmentCambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce: Educational and skills sectorICT SectorCollaborative Business and Community Partnerships• Innovit – IT education services• Luminus – social housing
Hidden Benefits of an I T Academy on a Learning Campus
• Career awareness• Career pathways• Role models• Collaborative work with business• Peer IT support in lessons• e-safety• Confidence• Leadership• Enjoyment• Success
Progression into employment and further/higher education
Concluding remarks
“A Microsoft Digital Learning Centre needs to be a core facility which can support a connected learning school and community”
The Digital Literacy Curriculum has already put in place the foundations.
Contact Details
Alan StevensAssociate PrincipalSawtry Community CollegePE28 5TQ01487 [email protected]@[email protected] www.sawtrycc.comwww.multitask.org.uk