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Case Study: Transforming Learning with 1:1 Devices at St. Bartholomew's CE Multi-Academy Trust
St. Bartholomew's CE Multi-Academy Trust is a primary-only trust with 10 schools currently and growing to 17 over the next 9-18 months. They embarked on a pioneering initiative to introduce 1:1 digital devices across their schools. The aim was to enhance learning experiences while ensuring that digital tools complemented rather than replaced traditional teaching methods.
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Key drivers for the device initiative:
- Enhancing accessibility for the increasing number of SEND pupils.
- Reducing teacher workload and improving resource sharing.
- Implementing a digital strategy beyond classrooms into operations.
- Future-proofing education and preparing pupils for a digital world.
Strategic Rollout & Key Challenges
The rollout was designed in a staged approach to ensure schools were adequately prepared before full implementation. The Trust encountered several challenges, which provided valuable lessons:
Infrastructure & Readiness
- Schools varied in funding, infrastructure, and external challenges such as rural internet connectivity and imminent Ofsted inspections.
- Not all schools were immediately ready, requiring reassessment of rollout priorities.
- Partnered with outsourced IT to evaluate and enhance school infrastructure.
- Utilised the DfE Connect the Classroom programme to strengthen connectivity.
Teacher and Staff Engagement
- Change management was crucial: winning hearts and minds ensured successful adoption.
- Teachers required training and support to integrate technology effectively.
- Appointed digital champions within schools to drive engagement.
- Open communication highlighted the benefits and purpose of the initiative.
Device Selection and Management
- The Trust chose iPads due to their accessibility features, app compatibility, and security.
- A three-year lease model was adopted to manage device lifecycle and costs.
- Schools retained flexibility in device selection to align with their existing tech setup.
- Strong protective cases, designed for use in the classroom, significantly reduced breakages (only 1 incident in 18 months).
Safeguarding & Central Management
Security and monitoring were key considerations:
- Apple’s device restrictions posed challenges for adding monitoring software.
- Broadband filtering was already in place for web browsing and monitoring tools such as Senso for keystroke tracking.
- Teachers could monitor pupil activity in real-time, locking screens or limiting app access.
A wider piece is to be done about a home school agreement to increase homework productivity and the love of reading however the safety of the pupils is something to be considered.
Outcomes & Impact
The initiative has led to significant improvements in pupil attainment and engagement:
- Progress and attainment data for the majority of the Trust’s schools now exceed national averages.
- Four schools included in the Time’s top 1,000 schools nationally for academic performance, with the top two schools in Wolverhampton and two of the top five schools in Staffordshire, being in the trust,
- Parents have responded positively, recognising tangible benefits in their child’s learning.
Future Plans & Growth Strategy
Beyond the classroom, the Trust is looking to expand digital transformation to its operational processes:
- Streamlining admissions, HR, and other repetitive tasks using Microsoft automation tools.
- Further enhancing trust wide collaboration and sharing of information through the effective use of Microsoft Teams.
- Exploring AI and VR to further enhance classroom learning experiences.
- Implementing home school agreements to extend device use beyond school hours, particularly for literacy development.
The Trust aims to scale its 1:1 device initiative across all 17 schools by September 2026. Digital strategy is now a key factor in MAT growth, attracting new schools that see the Trust’s forward-thinking approach as a benefit, both to staff workload but more importantly enhancing the ability of children to reach their full potential.
Key Takeaways
- Assess infrastructure readiness before device rollout.
- Learn from other Trusts to avoid reinventing the wheel.
- Prioritise staff training and engagement to ensure long-term success.
- Use data to drive decision-making, particularly for SEND pupils.
- Think beyond classrooms—digital transformation should extend to operational efficiencies.
"Our key drivers for embarking on this digital strategy were to reduce workload for staff and to equip our children with the skills necessary to flourish in a digital world. For the children, any initiative that we implemented had to enhance the provision and not replace. Quality first teaching still has the greatest impact on outcomes, but this can be supplemented with the use of technology. The impact and progress we have experienced for our pupils using digital tools clearly evidence the positive outcomes that embarking on such a strategy has had and it has truly been transformational across the trust."
By embracing innovation and maintaining a clear strategic vision, St. Bartholomew's CE Multi-Academy Trust is setting a benchmark for digital transformation in primary education.
Talk to our Team
SBS has expertise in areas such as Power Automate to support Trusts and schools with their digital initiatives. If you have any questions, please get in touch.