The Greenwood Academies Trust (GAT) is unique in that it only works with schools in deprived areas, and frequently with schools that have been placed in special measures. The Trust currently has 35 schools and 18,000 pupils across seven local authority areas including Nottingham City, Nottinghamshire, Leicester City, Northamptonshire, Peterborough, Lincolnshire and Central Bedfordshire.
Unlocking children’s potential with Dell devices and Office 365
“We work really hard at ensuring our children reach their academic potential but also their social potential. And we see the importance of technology in there because actually that is the future of work” explains GAT CEO, Wayne Norrie.
We visited two of the Trust’s schools, Bishop Creighton Academy and Newark Hill Academy to explore the benefits pupils are gaining from Microsoft Office 365 for Education, accessed via Dell 360 laptops. And the results are phenomenal:
• Device-led transformation: “We wanted devices that were really easy to use for everybody. The Dell 360 devices are perfect for that. They're durable, affordable and work perfectly with the Windows 10 platform, Office 365, and everything just talks to each other.“ Natasha Epton, Curriculum Advisor, GAT
• Pupil engagement: “Children get through so much more work; using OneNote for example, or Teams they will return to their work out of hours and that's what we see that's transformational: they’re really taking ownership of their own learning.” Vicki Redhead, Principle, Bishop Creighton Academy
• Inclusive classroom: “I'm able to make learning more personalised, but without any extra work or effort, it's so easy. So when you're trying to create an inclusive classroom having a device and Office 365 does that at literally your fingertips.” Kayleigh Snell, Year Six Class Teacher, Bishop Creighton Academy
• Teacher work-life balance: “The change is incredible. My work-life balance is the best it’s ever been with the new technology, and I feel like I’m delivering the best teaching I’ve ever delivered.” Kayleigh Snell, Year Six Class Teacher, Bishop Creighton Academy
Summarising the Trust’s experience, Norrie continues, “The learning curve for us is to be brave. Trust in the products, trust in the support you get from Microsoft and embrace it, because technology's going to be the thing that's going to unlock our children's futures and we really need to be on the forefront of that.”
Watch these 6 videos to learn how Greenwood Academy are supporting students with Microsoft technologies:
The change is incredible. My work-life balance is the best it’s ever been with the new technology, and I feel like I’m delivering the best teaching I’ve ever delivered.
Kayleigh Snell, Year Six Class Teacher
Bishop Creighton Academy
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