Essa Academy - iPad for every student
Abdul Chohan, a Chemistry teacher at Essa Academy in Bolton,
Lancashire has been instrumental in the huge change to the way
the school delivers learning. At this secondary school each child
now has an iPad.
How did this happen?
The school takes students from disadvantaged communities in the
area and it was clear that it was failing as the school had only 28%
pass rate (5+ GCSE's A*-C). Something needed to change at the
school. So they trialled iPod Touch devices initially in 2009 and
had events where parents could come into school and really
understand what the school was trying to achieve. The devices
helped them with their homework and students could email their
teachers too and get a timely response.
A brand new school
In 2011 students moved from their crumbling buildings to a brand
new building. This was the point where the school leaders decided
to embrace technology in earnest. Instead of interactive
whiteboards in every classroom they installed LCD TV's and Apple
TV as this was a significantly cheaper option and delivered the
same outcomes.
With 900 children at the school and now an iPad per child and
teacher it made sense to utilise the Apple technology available.
Students can select any screen in the school to follow wherever
they are in school and most importantly to Abdul they can make
their presence known virtually. Some students who were quiet in
class are now interacting online and making their voices heard.
With a number of different languages used in the school it was also
helpful that it was possible to change the keyboard for a different
language quite easily.
What has been the impact?
As well as saving money on interactive whiteboards, Essa also
decided to make extra savings by not using a Virtual Learning
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Environment (VLE), as similar services were being delivered
through the apps used by students.
Now teachers don't have to photocopy handouts for students they
send them to their iPad instead. In 2010 the annual photocopying
bill was £29,976 and this year it is £9, 240 which is a substantial
saving.
The most dramatic change though is in the pupils exam results.
This failing school has changed to an outstanding school and now
instead of 28% pass rate it is now 97% (5+ GCSE's *A-C).
The school have also made use of a communication app for the
iPad to replace the schools traditional phone system too, making
further savings.
Learning using apps
They are using the global platform 'iTunesU' to create electronic
textbooks and they make use of the existing content there too.
'Showbie' is used to create a virtual classroom and enable
students to share work with their teacher. 'Book Creator' is a
particular favourite of the students as they can create their own
multimedia books.
Abdul Chohan, now a Director at Essa Academy says "Technology
allows you to do something you couldn't do before and it deepens
learning"
More information
 Essa Academy Website
 Essa Academy: Trading textbooks for tablets 2013 video on
YouTube
Date: 1 August 2013
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