Rising to the challenge : Sawtry Information Technology Academy

in a connected learning school and community

Alan Stevens : Associate Principal

ChallengesDepartment for Education (DfE)schoolingeBaccOFSTEDno focus on ITA or DiplomaBusiness Innovation and Skills (BIS)STEM – science, technology, engineering, mathematicsskills shortage - employability

Setting the scene

• Sawtry C.C. an Academy since 1st August 2011• 1400 (mixed) 11-18 year olds in a traditional Cambridgeshire

“village college” on the A1M between Peterborough and Huntingdon. Commute – Cambridge/London/Birmingham

• Centre of Excellence for Mathematics and Computing• Microsoft Partner in Learning Mentor School• ICT Register Advocate School• Prince’s Teaching Institute• Training School• Sawtry Multitask – IT Academy providing a facility, service

and Microsoft products in a rural area.• Outcomes – 70% 5 A*-C including Maths & English (96%)

compared with eBACC – 3% What are we measuring? What is best for the learner?

What do you see? School or Learning Campus

IT Academy

The Tony Robinson Centre

Public Library

The Digital Age – Decade. Current Year 7 – Born 2000

What is on offer ? – ICT CurriculumPathways to success in the next decade:Learners are empowered – Alan NovemberTeachers have the learning technologies, connectivity and software – challenge to harness the potential in the classroom and through inter-active learning platforms.Key Stage 3 – OCR National curriculum for three years Key Stage 4 – OCR National ICT. First year of offering GCSE I.T. for top set. In third year of offering I.T. Diploma (22 students)Key Stage 5 – OCR A level ICT ( 28 students) and A level AppliedICT (15 students). Last year 6 students completed the Level 3 I.T. Diploma combined with A levels maths, science and business.

Year 8 Digigirl to Year 10 World Champion

Congratulations Rebecca

Year 9 Digital Literacy

Year 10 Microsoft Office Specialist

Year 12 and 13 Enrichment Programme

Parents , Grandparents re-designing adult education

Professional Development Centre – Initial Teacher Training

Continuous professional development for teachers

VITAL : in-house professional development partnership

Professional development for support staff: Megabites

Sawtry I T Academy – looking forward

Digital Literacy CurriculumMicrosoft Office Specialist (MOS) coursesPromote and support Self-Start Learning Kits

Offer computer technician and support technician and Web developer programmes.

CEOP: e-safety www.childnet.com and www.parentport.org.uke.g. Using the Cloud – what does it mean for your child and family ?

Digital Leaders in KS 3 Years 7- 9

Digital Leaders progressing as I T Academy trainers 14-19 and working with apprenticeship schemes/partners

RSA Vision 2030 – Education and Skills in the Cambridge and wider area. Thinking Skills events organised by Microsoft in Year 8, progressing to Year 12.

Skills Vision – Opportunity Peterborough

Sawtry IT Academy has signed up to the Skills VisionPeterborough Skills Service:Information and support for careers informationCurriculum supportDeveloping employabilityEducational staff developmentCambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce: Educational and skills sectorICT SectorCollaborative Business and Community Partnerships• Innovit – IT education services• Luminus – social housing

Hidden Benefits of an I T Academy on a Learning Campus

• Career awareness• Career pathways• Role models• Collaborative work with business• Peer IT support in lessons• e-safety• Confidence• Leadership• Enjoyment• Success

Progression into employment and further/higher education

Concluding remarks

“A Microsoft Digital Learning Centre needs to be a core facility which can support a connected learning school and community”

The Digital Literacy Curriculum has already put in place the foundations.

Contact Details

Alan StevensAssociate PrincipalSawtry Community CollegePE28 5TQ01487 830701alan.stevens@sawtrycc.org.ukpam.kitchen@sawtrycc.org.ukdeborah.record@vital.ac.uk www.sawtrycc.comwww.multitask.org.uk