IT/Design Technology

Technology plays an integral part in the school life of pupils at Ken Prep. The girls are exposed and encouraged to use a variety of devices such as laptops, iPads and touchscreens everyday in their classrooms.

We have 1:1 iPad provision in Key Stage 2 (Years 3 – 6) and the pupils are encouraged to use these when appropriate to aid with their learning. Years 5 and 6 have their own iPads for use at school and to take home for homework too. In Year 2 we have a 2:1 system in place and in Year 1 and Reception we have banks of iPads for group work. Each class has a weekly ICT lesson in our computer suite to develop computer literacy and all classes have access to our Explore Floor, which is a multi-functional space that enables creative teaching and learning through the use of technology.

We start learning about computing from the moment we start at Ken Prep!

Learning throughout the school is inter-woven with online activities, internet research and use of educational software apps. From their very first day in Reception, girls have the chance to use laptops and tablets as well as more traditional teaching resources and library books. All staff and girls use the school’s digital learning platform Firefly as an online resource with timetables and curriculum materials and information is also shared via the online parent portal. All girls were easily able to access this platform for our extensive guided home learning programme which we offered during lockdown.

Our head of E-learning oversees a wide array of clubs and activities from ‘Code Club’ where girls learn programming skills, to online quizzes and puzzles and a regular inter-house touch typing competition.

Girls confidently learn to use programs such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Photoshop as well as more advanced skills to programme robots and remote control Beebot cars. In Years 5 and 6 they girls also learn photography skills, 3D game and movie making. Ensuring girls learn how to stay safe on the internet is paramount and internet experts Childnet run regular sessions at school for both parents and girls.