Digital Strategy

Purpose and Objectives

Infrastructure -Learning Platform

-Devices

-Sustainability

-Digital Equity 

-Remote Learning

Stakeholders -Learners

-Teaching staff

-Wider School Community

-Administrative Staff

-Governors

Scope and Limitations -Curricular integration

-Resource Constraints

-Accessibility

Decision-Making and Problem-Solving Framework

Compliance with Laws and Regulations (GDPR)

Accountability and Responsibilities

Review and Updates

Effective Communication

Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of this digital strategy is to ensure that at OUR SCHOOL we embed technology into our pedagogy to enhance learning experiences for our learners and ensure they are digitally literate and prepared for their future endeavours in a digital environment.

It will identify how we will support all those in our school community with the use of digital tools, as well as identify the rationale for the choices that have been made, taking into account the views of all our stakeholders.

Wales’ Digital Competency Framework (DCF) is now one of three statutory cross-curricular elements of the Curriculum for Wales. As a school, we are implementing technology into our pedagogy to support our learners’ development and understanding of how technology can be used for purposeful means.

This strategy will address how we will support staff with CPD to support their confidence and competence in the use of technology in their pedagogy, this will enhance teacher effectiveness in improving learner outcomes.

This digital strategy also addresses the impact of technology on our wider school community. We will streamline our administrative processes through the effective use of digital tools at our disposal; support our families with information and guidance on how they can support the digital experiences of their children, and ensure our process complies with GDPR.

Infrastructure (adapt as required)

*HWBCymru schools

Digital Learning Platform- OUR SCHOOL makes use of Wales’ Hwb digital platform as its primary online platform for our learners. Through this platform, our learners have access to a range of digital applications on Hwb,  which they can make use of within their pedagogy. 

Our staff have support with regards to how to make use of the digital applications available to them on the platform. Ideas on how they can adapt their pedagogy to achieve their learning objectives utilising technology through the SAMR model.

*OWN Domain

Digital Learning Platform- OUR SCHOOL makes use of our school digital platform through Microsoft/Google/Other, this allows us to manage our users and allows them access to applications we make use of as a school. Add information which gives the rationale behind choosing the school's own domain. 

Our staff have support with regards to how to make use of the digital applications available to them on the platform. Ideas on how they can adapt their pedagogy to achieve their learning objectives utilising technology through the SAMR model.

*Primary schools

Devices- We have/are yet to achieved/achieve the device-to-pupil ratio set by Flintshire County Council, which allows our learners access to technology within their pedagogy.

Nursery to year 2 3:1 devices for learners

Year 3 & Year 4 2:1

Year 5 & Year 6 1:1

We have chosen to make use of state types of devices and give the rationale behind these choices to date.

*Secondary schools

Devices- We have/are yet to achieved/achieve the device-to-pupil ratio set by Flintshire County Council, which allows our learners access to technology within their pedagogy. 

60% Device to Pupil Ratio

We have chosen to make use of state types of devices and give the rationale behind these choices to date.

Through Hwb funding we have been able to express where Hwb funding has been spent and give the reasoning for the decisions made.

The school is setting aside XX% of its annual budget to ensure that our digital devices are kept up to date, with its software accepting updates from its operating system.

Once devices have reached their 'end-of-life' they are disposed of by...

Sustainability- To maintain our device-to-pupil ratio for devices, we have a four-year rolling programme to replace devices as they reach their ‘end of life’. We will remove devices which have been replaced to ensure that our infrastructure can continue to work at an optimum level. We have identified an approximate cost for the replacement of the devices we have in place, this allows us to identify the savings that we need to make over future years to continue with the programme we have in place.

We will need to consult with our school’s IT technician and the Local Authority when making significant changes to the number of devices it is using and how we intend to use them. We will also carry out intermittent reviews via the school’s IT technician to ensure that the infrastructure can support the technology usage. As newer technology develops, schools will need to assess and update their infrastructure accordingly to ensure it will support the technology of the school effectively. This will be recorded via meeting minutes, shared with the relevant governing bodies and reflected in updates to this strategy on an annual basis. 

Digital Equity- To ensure that no learner is left behind we are mindful of the need to ensure there is digital equity for all learners. *HWBCymru schools Through our use of the Hwb platform, all users have access to the suite of digital applications used in the classroom while at home. *OWN Domain The school make use of our school domain, all learners have access to state the tools/apps learners have in school and at home. In the event of moving to remote teaching and learning, the school supports learners with the loan of a school device, which will allow them to access all learning activities assigned during a period of remote learning. 

Remote Learning- In the event of school/classroom closures the school has a plan in place to support learners remotely. Adapt plan as applicable Learners in need of a device can borrow one from the school, and the serial number of the device and charging support is noted at the point of issue. When supporting learners remotely we explain the remote learning plan for the school and refer to:

• Synchronous/Asynchronous delivery

• Synchronous - split delivery to support families with multiple children??

• Asynchronous - initial delivery through video/written guidance??

• Number of members of staff if live lessons??

• Type of activities set

• Feedback that should be expected by learners

• Timeframe learners are expected to complete the work in

• Expected engagement levels

• Activities set to factor in digital equity

• Support for families with access to data while at home

Stakeholders

This strategy’s primary objective is to ensure that the use of technology in schools enhances the learning experiences of all learners. Ensuring that they gain an understanding of how to make use of technology safely and understand how the digital world is used for a positive impact, but also how some use it to take advantage of others.

Learners- All decisions made by the school will centre around the impact made on developing the understanding and application of the learners in the school. Our learners will develop an understanding of the application of digital tools. These are incorporated into pedagogical activities and will support the development of a thorough understanding. 

As our learners progress through their school life there will be increased opportunities for learners to choose which tools they make use of to show what they have learnt. 

Learners with ALN are supported through the school’s ALNCO; they identify where technology can be used to support the learning needs of those individuals and ensure that staff are trained in how to make use of that technology in their pedagogy.

Teaching staff - Staff need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to effectively implement technology into their teaching of Curriculum for Wales and ensure coverage of the DCF. This is done through continued professional development with support on the digital tools they will be required to use and ensure skills are up to date. 

Staff are supported with implementing digital technologies into their pedagogy by developing their understanding of the SAMR model and how it can support the class teacher's choices of learning activities. All staff have access to ongoing CPD of the tools available on the HWB platform and explanations of the SAMR model and other aspects of the Curriculum for Wales through a website created to support staff.

Wider School Community - We support parents with new developments in online safety to effectively support their children with using digital tools safely outside of their school life. Online safety training is available along with access to external support.

Fostering links with the community beyond immediate family members needs to be developed, where learners can share their understanding of how digital technology can be used to enhance the lives of those users. As a school, we will actively participate in Safer Internet Day activities recognising that every day is a ‘safer Internet day’. 

Administrative staff - Our school admin team make use of technology to improve the efficiency of how they work. We have/are moved/moving to a paperless system to ensure that data received from parents/guardians is stored online and GDPR compliant.

Governors- School Governors are supported in understanding how the school makes use of digital technologies to support the teaching and learning of the school. School Governors are aware of how the school chooses to invest in technology and training to further the development of our learners. 

Scope and Limitations

Curricular integration- As a school, we look to ensure that digital skills are developed throughout a learner's time with us. We embed the DCF into teaching and learning as one of the core cross-curricular elements of the Curriculum for Wales. Teachers make use of the applications available to them through the Hwb platform/school identifies applications, and identify where they have implemented the DCF skills in their chosen learning activities.

Resource Constraints- We have set out to ensure that our learners have access to devices which allow them to use a range of applications with which to complete a task. The use of the Hwb platform allows users access to several digital resources to use throughout their education in Wales ensuring equitability for our learners. 

As a school, we have set aside XX% of our school budget to ensure we can continue to maintain our identified level of device-to-pupil ratio.

Accessibility- All learners have equal access to devices which they can use to support their learning assignments. Learners with ALN can make changes to the accessibility settings to allow them to make effective use of the devices. Teachers are aware of features within the applications which can be used to support learners with difficulties. Our ALNCO identifies where additional resources are required and these are used to support learners and staff.