Portsmouth College has been recognised as an Apple Distinguished School for 2019–2022 for its Curious and Creative Learning Project.
In April 2014 the College took the decision to develop and implement a 1-to-1 iPad scheme for all students in order to develop their independent creative learning skills and enhancing digital literacy skills to support their future.
Apple Distinguished Schools are centres of innovation, leadership and educational excellence that use Apple technology to inspire creativity, collaboration and critical thinking. They showcase innovative uses of technology in learning, teaching and the school environment, and have documented results of academic accomplishment.
“The recognition of Portsmouth College as an Apple Distinguished School highlights our success as innovators in education. We provide a technology-rich environment which enhances teaching, enables independent learning and helps prepare students for life and work in a digitally connected world. With only 470 Apple Distinguished Schools worldwide, this is a significant accolade for the College, our staff and students and the City of Portsmouth.” Simon Barrable, Principal of Portsmouth College
The extensive use of technology means our teaching, learning and assessment is innovative and engaging and stretches students to think creatively. Students are able to access all their learning materials using various platforms and apps before, during and after lessons allowing an individualised approach which encourages students to take responsibility for their own learning. Our very strong Grade 2 Ofsted report in March 2017 recognised this and stated that: ‘A substantial investment in technology allows all students to use hand-held tablet computers to good effect in and out of the classroom and has enhanced independent learning.
The next steps for this project as we go into our sixth year are to continue to pioneer new approaches to teaching, learning and assessment using technology in order to support our students to get better and better experiences and outcomes. We continue to share our knowledge and good practice with other educational providers and are looking to become an Apple Regional Training Centre. We are also now assisting and encouraging the development of digital learning within schools in Portsmouth, which we feel has the potential to become a ‘digital city’.
