Small Schools - Ambitious Plans

Within Ashford Rural Cluster (ARC), a significant number of schools are both small and rural. The cluster board and head teachers recognised that new technologies could bring these schools, the staff and pupils closer together, enhancing learning and improving communication. For the past two years, they have been exploring new ways of learning.

ARC schools have taken a great leap of faith by embarking upon an exciting and innovative project, which builds on their last two years work. 

ARC is being linked by the RM Learning Platform

This, in essence, is an ICT system which will allow schools to have a learning and support network, enabling communication, collaboration and the creation of innovative educational practices. The RM Learning Platform will support sharing across local mini-clusters and across ARC. 

Eventually, this could spread across clusters, LA-wide, countrywide and globally

We will be able to contribute to and access a range of resources from lesson plans to policies as well as having live communications between schools and cluster staff through e-mail, instant messaging and video conferencing.  Eventually, it may also be possible to include external agencies including health, social services and the police.

Students will be better equipped for the future

Pupils will have access to their learning both at school and at home and parents will be able to track their children's progress.  By personalising the curriculum, schools will be preparing their students to compete on more equal terms in a marketplace where the workforces of China, India and Eastern Europe will have the advantage. Students will be better equipped for a life in a world where 80% of their jobs have not yet been invented; where offices are global and never close; collaboration and the ability to constantly relearn new skills are the norm and where adaptable, flexible learning is essential.

Schools will become the portal for global learning

These rapid developments in ICT will change how, when, where, what and why teachers teach and students learn. Schools will become the portal for global learning, where students can access lessons and activities from any partner organisation. It is therefore essential to enable our students to understand how they learn as well as being flexible, responsive and able to quickly adjust their learning needs to the requirements of the changing economic climate. 

The winners in the 21st Century will be those students who are able to learn new disciplines, skills and processes and maximise their adaptability. Through ARC sharing good practice, pooling ideas, knowledge and resources our students will be better equipped for the future.

With thanks to Mr R Rule, Head teacher, Pluckley CEP for this article.

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Home School Partnership High Halden CE Primary School believes that to deny children equal access to ICT is to deny them a vital tool for learning. Find out how the ARC project supports the home-school partnership.