Digital Learning and PedTech at Merrydale Junior School
Our Vision for Digital Learning
At Merrydale Junior , we are proud to be part of Discovery Schools Trust, where technology is used in a child-friendly, purposeful and carefully planned way to support learning. We believe that technology should enhance great teaching rather than replace it. Every lesson is designed so that pupils are active participants in their learning, using technology to think deeply, create confidently, collaborate with others and solve problems.
Our approach is based on blended learning. This means that we combine the best of traditional teaching, such as books, discussion, handwriting and practical experiences, with high-quality digital tools. As a result, pupils benefit from a balanced and well-rounded education that prepares them for the future while still valuing the importance of personal interaction and hands-on learning.
Proud to be a Microsoft Showcase School
We are delighted to be part of a forward-thinking Trust with 15 Microsoft Showcase Schools, and we are incredibly proud to be one of them. This recognition is awarded to schools that demonstrate excellence in teaching and learning through the thoughtful and effective use of technology.
Being a Microsoft Showcase School reflects our commitment to innovation and continuous improvement. It means our staff are regularly engaging with professional learning opportunities and collaborating with educators both nationally and globally. Most importantly, it ensures that our pupils experience modern, engaging learning that prepares them for a digital world. This is something we celebrate as a school community and reflects the high expectations we have for teaching and learning.
How Technology Enhances Learning
Technology is used carefully and thoughtfully across the school to support learning in
meaningful ways. When pupils use devices, they are not simply completing tasks or consuming information; they are actively engaging in their learning. They may be drafting and improving
their writing, working collaboratively with others, responding to live feedback, or creating digital content to demonstrate their understanding.
This approach helps pupils to develop independence, confidence and creativity. It also supports strong communication and collaboration skills, ensuring that pupils are not only learning content but also how to work effectively with others and express their ideas clearly.
Active and Purposeful Use of Technology
We are very clear that not all screen time is equal. At Merrydale Junior School, technology is always used actively and purposefully. Pupils are never expected to sit and passively watch or click through activities without thinking. Instead, every use of technology is designed to engage them in meaningful learning.
When pupils are working on devices, they are producing work, solving problems and developing ideas. Technology is never used as a way to fill time or manage behaviour. It is carefully planned and used only when it enhances the lesson. This ensures that pupils are always engaged in purposeful learning and that technology supports, rather than distracts from, their progress.
Blended Learning: The Best of Both Worlds
Our blended learning approach ensures that pupils experience the best of both traditional and digital learning. Technology is used when it adds value, while strong teaching, discussion and practical activities remain at the heart of every lesson.
In practice, this means that a pupil may use a device for part of a lesson and then move into group discussion, written work or a hands-on activity. This balanced approach ensures that pupils are not reliant on screens and continue to develop a wide range of skills, including speaking, listening and practical problem-solving.
A Balanced and Healthy Approach to Technology
We understand that families may have concerns about screen time, which is why we take a carefully managed and balanced approach. Technology is used in moderation and for clear educational purposes. Lessons are designed to include a mix of screen-based and non-screenbased activities, and pupils are encouraged to take regular breaks from devices.
Our aim is to ensure that technology enhances learning without dominating the school day. We continually monitor how digital tools are used and adapt our approach where needed to ensure that it supports both learning and wellbeing.
Supporting Every Child Through Technology
Technology plays a key role in supporting inclusion and ensuring that every pupil can succeed. Through carefully selected tools, we are able to remove barriers to learning and support pupils with a range of needs.
Many digital tools provide additional support, such as reading assistance, speech-to-text and
other accessibility features. These allow pupils to access learning in ways that suit them best and help to build confidence and independence. Our aim is always to ensure that all pupils feel included, supported and able to achieve their full potential.
Keeping Children Safe Online
Keeping children safe online is a priority at [School Name]. We have strong systems in place to ensure that all internet access is filtered and monitored, and that pupils are using technology in a safe and secure environment. All use of devices is supervised, and staff are trained to support pupils in using technology responsibly.
In addition to these systems, we explicitly teach pupils how to stay safe online. They learn how to be respectful, how to protect their personal information and what to do if they are concerned about something they see or experience online. This helps them to develop the knowledge and confidence they need to navigate the digital world safely.
Keeping Children Safe Online
Keeping children safe online is a priority at [School Name]. We have strong systems in place to ensure that all internet access is filtered and monitored, and that pupils are using technology in a safe and secure environment. All use of devices is supervised, and staff are trained to support pupils in using technology responsibly.
In addition to these systems, we explicitly teach pupils how to stay safe online. They learn how to be respectful, how to protect their personal information and what to do if they are concerned about something they see or experience online. This helps them to develop the knowledge and confidence they need to navigate the digital world safely.
Seeing PedTech in Action
We are proud to share how technology enhances learning across our school. Through examples of pupil work, photographs of lessons and short case studies, we celebrate the creativity, engagement and progress that technology supports.
These examples help to illustrate what PedTech looks like in practice and give a clear picture of how pupils are actively involved in their learning every day
Policies and Key Documents
We are committed to transparency and ensure that key policies relating to technology, safeguarding and teaching are available. These include our Online Safety Policy, Acceptable Use Agreements, Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, Artificial Intelligence Policy, Data Protection Policy and Remote Learning information. These documents provide further detail about how we keep pupils safe and ensure high quality learning experiences.
Working in Partnership with Parents
We believe that working closely with parents and carers is essential. If you have any questions about digital learning or how technology is used in school, we encourage you to get in touch. By working together, we can support pupils to become confident learners, responsible users of technology and safe digital citizens.
Our Commitment
At Discovery Schools Trust and in our school, technology is used thoughtfully, safely and purposefully. It enhances learning, supports inclusion and prepares pupils for the future, while always maintaining the importance of strong teaching, relationships and real-world experiences.