Looking To The Future
Pupils at Ashbridge Independent School are benefiting from significant investment in technology that will prepare them for an exciting future
Ashbridge Independent School, based on the outskirts of Preston in rural Hutton, has always been ahead of the curve with their curriculum, facilities and ethos.
Judged to be ‘Excellent’ in all areas, the highest grade possible, by the Independent Schools Inspectorate in 2022, Ashbridge believe that children achieve their full academic and wider potential when they are happy, adventurous and spend a significant proportion of their days outdoors. The children enjoy Land Based Studies lessons, explore giant boulders carved from Lake District slate and the school is one of only two Forest School Association accredited primary schools in Lancashire.
With such a focus on outdoor learning you could be forgiven for thinking that the children at Ashbridge may not be up to speed with modern technology, but that is far from the truth. At the 2022 inspection it was highlighted that the children had “extremely good ICT skills” with the potential for extending their abilities even further. To allow for this extension of learning Ashbridge has recently embarked on a large-scale project to develop the use of technology throughout the school.
Over a number of months and with an investment of over £100,000, the school’s technology offering has been transformed. Internet and server capabilities have been significantly upgraded, 70 new laptops and 40 tablets were purchased for use in all classes from Reception to Year 6 and the older, but still functional desktops were donated to other local establishments. The STEM suite, which used to be set up with desktops in rows, has been transformed into a Tech Hub, with moveable desk space, bean bags and breakout areas, to help children to prepare for the world of work in modern office spaces.
The teachers have fully embraced the new technology, focusing on integrating it into their curriculum to enhance the children’s learning. At Ashbridge this means taking the tablets out in forest sessions to identify plants with an app, working together to develop a business plan for their extra-curricular Business Club while sitting on comfy bean bags, or using music production software to understand pitch in science lessons.
Links with home have strengthened too, with children able to send home pictures, videos and demonstrations of their work as well as share homework easily with their teachers and peers. The school is looking forward to welcoming parents and families for a showcase evening in the summer term.
The next steps for Ashbridge are specialised training for the teachers to allow them to create even more opportunities for the children, additional investment in devices and extending the integration of technology and the outdoors even further. With these exciting developments ahead, the children of Ashbridge Independent School will be well prepared for the next step of their lives, confident in their abilities and ready for whatever the future will bring.
Ashbridge Independent School
Lindle Lane
Hutton, Preston PR4 4AQ
01772 619900
ashbridgeschool.co.uk
