Switched-on pupilstake digital lead

Youngsters at a Fylde coast primary school are taking a leading role in exploring the wonders of technology.
Digital learning at Layton PrimaryDigital learning at Layton Primary
Digital learning at Layton Primary

Layton Primary School on Meyler Avenue played host to pupils from 17 schools across the North West in a two-day event to celebrate the role of ‘digital leaders’ - children who take a pioneering role in learning more about technology.

Assistant headteacher Claire Jones said: “We have been having children support staff with technology. A lot of adults have a fear of technology so the idea is that pupils who will have a go at anything and are very tech-savvy will help.

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“As digital leaders the kids can run lunch-time clubs and have a ‘genius bar’ where staff and parents who have any questions about technology can go into school. They can lead staff meetings and support staff with learning.

“They run coding clubs. They have ‘Appy Mondays’ where they test a new app and figure out how to use it and post about it on a blog that can be read by staff.

“Every year group has a Twitter account and a member of staff oversees that. We had a Skype conversation with the author Anthony Horowitz and Tim Peake has favourited our posts on Twitter.

“The children love it. They have got a real global audience to their work straight away.

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“In our school we have got 23 digital leaders from Year Two to Year Six, and I have been running the group for about three years. Because I have seen the impact of it I wanted to share it with other schools.”

Students at the event, which took place yesterday and on Monday, found out more about how computers and tablets could be used to enhance their learning.

Mrs Jones said: “iPads are a mobile device so children don’t have to be confined to the classroom. Some schools say they are not going to use technology and that they’re just going to focus on maths and English, but the two can go hand in hand.

“The other schools have gone away absolutely loving it. They are full of ideas.”