As part of Ark's Digital strategy, every child at Ark Victoria in Years 3 to 11 receives a Chromebook, as well as access to a range of high-quality online resources.
In 2020, Ark Schools launched a ‘Digital Strategy’ in response to what the COVID crisis highlighted about the importance of technology in education. As part of this new Digital Strategy, all students in an Ark school are loaned a Google Chromebook from year 3, together with access to the full suite of ‘Office 365’ applications from wherever they are in the world and from whatever device they are using.
Through widespread use of this digital technology, we hope to improve the quality of home learning opportunities that our students receive and develop student digital literacy as an important lifelong skill. We believe this will promote student independence and support the useful development of digital skills which are essential in employment and education.
Ark Victoria’s website also has a Digital Literacy support area for parents to engage with the basics of using devices and navigating e-safety. It also outlines the signature software we use as a school and how student devices are used in school.
Ark Victoria Signature Tools
| Copilot | Used for generative AI based support with lessons. This runs through the same engine as Chat GPT but through the Microsoft package and records all information within the workspace software. |
| Immersive Reader | Used within lessons to support pupils with comprehension of written texts. This includes dual coding and dictionary functions and can slow pace/ change accent. |
| Translation tools | Translation tools built into both Chrome and Microsoft package, which allows transfer of language into standardised forms found online. This will also spell-check and inform grammar decisions. |
| Dictate | Can be used for speech and alongside Google translate allows pupils to converse in multiple languages/ write the outcomes into English. |
| Centruty/Sparx Learning | Assistive/ adaptive AI used for homework to support pupils with completion of fundamental skills. These programmes are vetted through school-led initiatives and then deployed whole school. They are targeted and specific for each pupil, to support individual needs and are easily monitorable too. |
| Carousel Learning | Carousel Learning is an online platform that helps students retain knowledge through retrieval practice and quizzes. Teachers can create question sets, assign homework, and run live quizzes, with automated marking and performance tracking. Its goal is to make revision consistent and effective while reducing teacher workload. |
| Seesaw | Seesaw is an online learning platform used by schools to connect teachers, students, and families. It allows students to create a digital portfolio of their work using photos, videos, and drawings, and also serves as a communication tool for teachers to share announcements and assignments with families. |
| Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Teams is a collaboration platform that combines chat, video meetings, file sharing, and app integration to help teams work together in real time. It’s designed to streamline communication and productivity by centralizing conversations, documents, and tools in one place. |
| Canva | Canva is an online design platform that allows users to create graphics, presentations, videos, and social media content using customizable templates and drag-and-drop tools. It’s designed to make professional-quality design accessible to everyone, regardless of experience. |
| IRIS Connect | IRIS Connect is a professional development platform for educators that uses secure video technology, adaptive learning pathways, and AI-powered lesson analysis to support instructional coaching, self-reflection, and collaboration. |
Signature Digital Tools and Pupil Application
| Device used for: | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Homework | Laptops enable students to access digital resources, complete assignments more efficiently, and receive timely feedback through platforms like Formative, MS Teams, Sparx and Quiziz. |
| Lessons | In lessons, they support interactive learning, differentiated instruction, and real-time collaboration, helping teachers tailor content to individual needs. This can be seen through the immersive reader, translators and image enhancement assistive functions. Teachers are taught about when it is appropriate to use these devices in lessons as a way to yield greater outcomes and impactful usage. |
| Applications & Careers | Laptops allow students to build digital portfolios, practice online assessments, and apply for further education or apprenticeships with ease. Finally, in terms of careers, regular laptop use fosters essential digital literacy, research skills, and familiarity with workplace technologies, better preparing students for modern employment landscapes. |
Guidance for Parents:
In today's digital age, it is essential for parents to be equipped with the knowledge and tools to ensure their children's safety online. Our schools play a crucial role in guiding parents to the right resources, organisations, and workshops that can help them navigate this complex landscape.
Recommended Online Resources
Provides parent-friendly guidance on laptops, phones, gaming devices and smartspeakers.
Provides on the safety and appropriateness of various media content, including apps, games, and websites.
An interactive educational program to teach online safety.
Provides a wealth of resources for parents, including guides on setting parental controls, advice on online bullying, and tips for safe social media use.
How the school communicates with parents:
| MCAS | This is a pastoral based software linked directly to Ark’s Bromcom system. It is used for messages to parent phones and can deliver behaviour data to parents. |
| Website | Our website updates on key events and can be translated into multiple languages to support with barriers. |
| MS Teams | We use MS Teams to call out to parents via the school system. This is mainly via reception and SLT permissions. |
| Online Newsletters | Updates on digital strategy and E-safety repeat with each newsletter with this. |
Social Media: Instagram and Facebook | Two sites used to update and celebrate the success of student/ update on recent events. |
Support for parents and digital literacy:
| Coffee Mornings | Tech instruction and support with digital barriers – linked to translators and using Microsoft assistive functions. |
How to Guides
| Translation | |
| MyChildAtSchool (MCAS) |