The Surrey school harnessing the power of digital innovation to enhance the learning experience – Kent Live

Debate about AI and its impact on schools is a hot topic for parents and teachers alike.

Whatever the debate now, technology and AI will be part of the world children will progress to beyond school.

So, how can we ensure they are empowered to use technology without shortcutting on learning?

Ceri Jones, Headmaster at Caterham School explains how their pupils have specialist innovation and digital lessons from Reception to Sixth Form, alongside traditional lessons.

Caterham School’s multi-award-winning approach to innovation in education has seen them lead the way for over a decade, even being named as an EdTech50 school in the House of Lords, and Independent School of the Year 2023 by the Times Educational Supplement.

Should teaching in schools change to reflect rapidly changing technology?

Children of today will be stepping into a fast-changing world so it’s vital they have the right skills to thrive alongside top academic grades that open doors of opportunity.

However, just teaching them how to use the tech isn’t enough – crucial is teaching problem solving, creative thinking, entrepreneurial and team working skills too.

Children need to be able to assess situations, use creative thinking to solve problems and apply the best technology across different scenarios.

Caterham School’s EDGE Innovation curriculum was developed with input from global professional firms and is targeted to fill the skills gap identified by them as common in school and university leavers.

Children have EDGE lessons from reception to sixth form so that by the time they complete school they have not only the traditional academic grades to ensure top university or degree apprenticeship places, but the skills to thrive throughout their lives.

Tech doesn’t and shouldn’t change everything about today’s schools. It is crucial that a sense of community, support, guidance and inspiration is maintained – which can only come from first class teachers.

How can children use AI to extend learning?

Caterham School has been at the forefront of using tech in the classroom for over a decade, with innovation and digital programmes part of pupil experience and teaching and learning for some time.

We have already successfully used AI in the classroom in different subjects. Content is still generated by the class teacher under their expert guidance, but they have used AI to support methods of engagement relevant to individual pupils.

AI has brought the value and purpose of homework into sharp focus. At Caterham, we have always seen homework as preparation for classroom discussion and engagement – not as a way of just assessing the learning that has taken place in class.

This now has a name: ‘Flipped Learning’ but it is actually something that great teachers have been doing for decades.

Find out more about harnessing the best of digital in education at one of Caterham’s regular open events, by visiting Caterham School’s website.