Layton Primary School

Supported by the strong foundation of their vision, culture, professional development and 1:1 iPad programme, Layton has achieved amazing impacts for their pupils, teachers and community.

In 2011 Layton were in the bottom 42% of schools in the country for progress made from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2. Since introducing the first iPads to Year 6 at the end of 2012, the end of year Key Stage 2 data has been consistent. In 2015 Layton were in the highest 1% of schools in the country, for value-added progress from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2 and at this point their 1:1 programme consisted of 200 iPads. In 2016 Layton maintained their progress within the highest 3% of schools in the country and now their 1:1 programme was across all of Key Stage 2.

With the support of their iPad 1:1 programme, Layton has made rapid improvement as a school in terms of Ofsted, progressing from Satisfactory to Outstanding across all areas in 5 years. The Ofsted report from their Outstanding Inspection in November 2011 makes specific reference to how the 'state-of-the-art' and 'wide-ranging' use of information and communication technology has a significant impact on pupils’ successful learning and enjoyment. 

In October 2017 Layton Primary School were successful in being recognised as an Apple Distinguished School. Apple Distinguished Schools are centres of leadership and educational excellence that demonstrate positive impact and the transformation of teaching and learning. As part of the process of becoming an Apple Distinguished School, Layton created an iBook which discusses their journey with iPad and documents their successes. 

Download The Layton ADS iBook

You will need iBooks on a Mac or iOS Device to download this iBook

The use of information and communication technology (ICT) in school is innovative and far-reaching. Electronic tablets are used by staff and pupils in all aspects of learning, from collecting assessment information to discussing a pupil’s work in a lesson. They are also used to offer immediate feedback to pupils and for pupils to conduct their own research. The school’s use of ICT also adds a richness and fun to learning activities. For example, pupils in Year 1 were animated using their tablets to retell the story of ‘Aliens Love Underpants’ by Claire Freedman. The positive impact of ICT on the curriculum and on learning is immense and permeates through everything the school does.

The use of ICT makes an impressive contribution to teachers’ ability to respond to pupils’ learning needs and to give immediate feedback about their work. Electronic tablets are used to check pupils’ grasp of new knowledge. They are also used to share pupils’ work within the lesson and to enable immediate discussion and instant feedback as to strengths and where a piece of work could be improved. If a pupil is unsure about the meaning of a word or concept, the tablets are used adeptly to encourage pupils to seek the answer. For example, in an English lesson, some pupils were unsure of what continents were. The teacher asked them to quickly look it up. Instantly, pupils had a map indicating the continents of the world up on their screens. The teacher briefly checked understanding and resumed the main focus of the lesson.

Ofsted Inspection Report, 10th October 2017