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We’re pleased to be recognised as an Apple Distinguished School for 2022-2025 for our progressive approach and our implementation of Apple technology from the earliest years and across all subject areas.

Our Vision

At NGHS, our vision is to be progressive, creative and different. Progressive in our commitment to remaining at the forefront of teaching and technology. Creative in our approach to making the NGHS education modern, innovative and exciting. Different in our unique approach. At NGHS, there are no stereotypes and no limits to what pupils can achieve. Our personalised, collaborative approach means that we have open, two-way communication, instilling confidence through a culture of positivity and resilience, a vision that inspires our pupils to be extraordinary. Trying new things is the norm; failure is nothing to be afraid of.

We provide pupils with the skills they need to be empathetic and powerful leaders who will make a difference in the world.

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Teachers and pupils benefit from the interactive, efficient and collaborative nature of iPad technology
Frances Sparrow, Director of Digital Learning and Innovation

Learning

We aim to make each of our lessons and activities exceptional. Every pupil uses iPad and, with cutting edge teaching techniques and continual evaluation, our provision constantly evolves. As educators, we challenge ourselves to embrace new opportunities. We demonstrate that there is no such thing as a “boy’s subject”, acting as positive role models for our pupils, ensuring each member of NGHS feels stimulated by our exciting environment and empowered by our use of technology.

Nottingham Girls’ High School is a centre of innovation, leadership and educational excellence that uses Apple products to inspire creativity, collaboration and critical thinking. Every subject can demonstrate innovative uses of technology in learning, teaching and the school environment and we are seeing the results in our academic excellence.

Technology is central to our Teaching and Learning strategy and is an essential to academic success. Increasingly we are looking towards technology to enhance the learning experience and enable a more paperless classroom. Students and teachers alike access their work through Google Classroom, making use of a wide range of apps relevant to each subject area.

Teachers and pupils benefit from the interactive, efficient and collaborative nature of iPad, allowing timely feedback, marking, editing and sharing. Apple Classroom, Google Classroom and Sims apps are everyday tools and regular learning walks by our senior leadership reveal students exploring a media rich world in which to demonstrate their learning; creating music, videos, podcasts and presentations.

Success

We measure our progress against key criteria: Progressive, Creative, Different, and Collaborative. Measurement takes place by various means including: pupil voice surveys, parent voice, learning walks, lesson plan evaluation, lesson studies and staff engagement surveys. Our Teaching and Learning Masterclasses and CPD also include Apple Teacher certification, becoming an Apple Distinguished School and Google Educator training, ensuring a seamless mix of traditional and digital resources for effective iPad use. Lesson plans evidence that lessons have moved from “Substitution” (same teaching, just digitised) to “Augmentation” (‘live’ feedback, automated quizzes, Google Forms) to “Modification” (significant task redesign, longer-term weekly topics). NGHS is recognised by the Good Schools Guide as making excellent use of technology, along with our
excellent ISI report.

Head, Julie Keller, explains the importance of being a forward thinking school.

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I’m so proud of the fact that we are at the cutting edge
Head, Julie Keller

What’s Next?

Assistant Head for Teaching & Learning, James Brown, outlines the school’s current and ongoing approach.

Using the SAMR model for classroom technology integration, we will continue to encourage teachers and students to use their devices to teach in ways with Apple products that would previously have been inconceivable. We hope to reach “Redefinition” (where technology allows for connecting with experts or peers across the GDST and implement projects in the wider community).

All of our staff are gaining in digital expertise and have personalised targets for future technology CPD linked to Apple. This interweaving of our digital strategy with our teaching and learning strategy will enable us to continue a mixed model approach, demonstrating our continued commitment to meet the evolving needs of our students and adapt and personalise learning. Our full strategy for measuring success can be found in our T&L strategy document and GDST EdTech Strategy

Our Stories

All of our stories about Apple technology and iPad usage across the whole school can be found on THIS PAGE.