School opens doors to tech

Resident 'Dartmoor ponies' and new technology will boost learning opportunities for pupils at Edge Grove School in Hertfordshire

Posted by Rebecca Paddick | October 07, 2014 | Technology

• #edge-grove-school
• #led
• #outdoor-learning
• #technology
• #kindle
• #dartmoor

As Edge Grove School in Hertfordshire welcomes its pupils into a new school year it does so with many exciting new facilities which are set to make a dramatic impact on its pupils’ opportunities for learning and development over the coming years. 

The school has enhanced its outdoor learning facilities by introducing a new outdoor learning hub with a gazebo and stage for year group lessons and performances and an additional ‘log’ seating circle for outdoor lessons; new safety surfacing around the play equipment has been installed at the Pre Prep too. 

To add to the whole ‘outdoor learning experience’ the pupils at Edge Grove are also very excited to be welcoming two Dartmoor pedigree ponies (Passion Flower and Blackthorn), who will be living in the vast school grounds allowing the children the opportunity to look after them and gain experience of working with them. 

Ben Evans, Headmaster at Edge Grove is committed to the importance of outdoor learning: “We are also in the process of creating a lovely Remembrance Garden at Edge Grove to mark the centenary anniversary of the First World War. Currently in development, it will be used as an area for quiet reflection and we are dedicating it to past Edge Grovians who lost their lives in the war.” 

With a brand new language classroom complete with dedicated ‘virtual language lab’ facility children will also benefit from a new high-tech computer suite with LED Clevertouch TV, iPads and access to online language facilities for speaking and listening, supporting the schools’ focus on creative and active learning. 

LED lighting has also been installed in all refurbished classrooms across the school including the sports hall.  Evans explains why: “There is evidence to support the notion that LED lighting significantly improves children’s concentration in lessons and it has also given the children a wonderfully bright environment to learn in”, he continued. 

Among other changes, the school has also installed a further 10 iMacs in its music department enhancing its music technology facilities and has also undergone a complete refit of its Upper School Science Lab resulting in two fully modernised labs that are bright and specifically designed for practical work.  Pre Prep now boasts an impressive new entrance foyer, classrooms for years three have been made larger to allow more space for reading areas. A new design and technology classroom has also been created complete with 3D printer and a dedicated suite of laptops to accommodate the introduction of year three to year eight pupils to this subject, which means the school can now teach graphic design as part of its technology curriculum.

Finally, the school library has been furnished with more books and periodicals overseen by a qualified librarian with the introduction of regular author speakers, events and Kindles in the near future.