We embrace technology and always evolve our curriculum and facilities to ensure that pupils are tech ready. We want our pupils to be creators, not just users, of technology. Technology should add to the joy of learning and used well and with discernment, it can be exciting, enlivening and incredible preparation for the future.

However, it is just one tool among many and our delivery of modern scholarship rests on great teaching and expert care. We develop strong, resilient independent learners who are curious, determined and willing to take intellectual risk. Through our Science of Learning curriculum, we teach each pupil to understand how their beautiful mind works and how to harness its power – within that, developing healthy and sustainable habits with tech are vital, particularly with the proliferation of AI.   

We use screens where they enhance learning, but we are very mindful of their impact on cognitive development and wellbeing so we monitor screen time closely and have an open and productive dialogue with our parents.   

We educate our students about tech and how to use it as one tool among many. We do not rely on tech to educate our children – our brilliant teachers do that. 

No, we are smart phone free. Once in school, all phones must be switched off and stored in a Yondr pouch from when pupils arrive in school until the end of lessons at 3.50pm. Once in this Yondr pouch, the phone will be inaccessible until the pouch is tapped on the unlocking base which is available to pupils only as they leave school. To ensure digital safety, pupils are not permitted to use their phones whilst on trips or travelling to and from fixtures, unless given express permission from a member of staff. 

The initiative was introduced in 2024 to ‘liberate our pupils from their devices.’ 

The impact was immediate.  Lowered anxiety, increased concentration, an increase in active play, a significant decrease in friendship issues associated with online activity. Whilst pupils are still keen to unlock their Yondr pouches at the end of the day, they also report feelings of relief. Last year, in partnership with our parents, we introduced a full ban on smart phones until year 9.   If parents wish their daughters to have a phone, we ask that they purchase a non-smartphone model, a ‘brick’ or ‘dumb’ phone. 

Pupils in Years 7-11 are given access to a school iPad which is tightly controlled so that they can develop confidence with digital technology whilst also developing healthy behaviours. Whilst our iPads can connect to the internet, they are tightly managed and our filtering system operates regardless of whether the iPad is in school or at home. We have curated a small selection of appropriate apps that students can download from our own app store called SelfServe; pupils do not have access to the App Store or You Tube.     

Some sixth formers use personal laptops but it is not obligatory. Sixth formers are allowed to use their phones in the Sixth Form Centre for work purposes only.  

The magic in our classrooms comes from an expert teacher, pupil/teacher engagement, active learning and intellectual rigour.  

Much of the work in class and at home is completed with pen and paper and it is worth noting that at GCSE and A Level, most students hand write their papers, with only a handful using laptops for specific learning needs.  

Technology, when used, is there to support or augment – so iPads may be required to support developing apps in design thinking, to practice coding, carry out deep research and access the online textbooks. They are also used for administrative tasks e.g. accessing the school calendar or email.

Laptops and tablets are not essential for homework and all pupils are given a traditional homework diary and school planner. 

That said access to Microsoft teams – through a school device or a home desktop computer – is certainly helpful because pupils can access our secure virtual learning environment, a repository for resources, lesson plans etc. which also allows students to revisit materials.  All homework is set on teams so that students can keep up to date in, or out of school.

Our approach to ed tech is constantly evolving as we learn more and as technology develops, particularly in the field of AI. What will not change is our commitment to modern scholarship and creating a learning environment where curiosity and intellectual adventure abound.