Innovation and Technology | Caxton College

Technology for Education

Our curriculum utilises technology to develop pupils' creativity, motivation, reflection, research and critical thinking.

Responsible Use of Technology

The school organises a series of activities every year to encourage the correct use of technology, as well as to explain and prevent the consequences of its misuse. Talks from the cybernetic unit of the Guardia Civil, informative events for parents carried out by the ICT Department or special days dedicated to cyberbullying help our students become aware of the risks that can lie behind using a mobile or an iPad.

Blended Learning

Currently, children aged 0 to 2 years have no exposure to screens, and very little exposure from 3 to 9 years of age. Both in Primary and Secondary, we work to maintain a balance between the use of iPads and interactive screens, and the time spent on the development of reading and writing skills on paper.

Early Years and Primary

All of our students from Year 1 to Year 11 study ICT as a subject, in accordance with the British curriculum. This includes elements of computational thinking, programming and robotics, starting in Early Years with concepts such as programming without electronic devices, playing with Bee Bots and activities like “unplugged computing”. Starting in Year 2, they learn to programme different types of robots, depending on their level, and they progress onto learning the processes involved in programming a computer in Years 5 and 6.

Secondary

In Year 7, our students revisit the programming learned in Primary with Scratch, and later progress on to using Python. Then, in Year 9, they are introduced to physical computing with BBC micro:bit devices. In Years 10 and 11, students can choose to study ICT as a GCSE option, and at this Key Stage they use Lego Mindstorms robots.

Connection with Families

We understand the importance of working together, so we encourage active collaboration between the school and our students’ families. By offering technical resources and support, such as programmes to restrict the use of digital devices at home, we hope to spread the principles of responsible use of technology beyond the classroom. This cooperation is vital to promote an environment in which technology can improve their learning outcomes, without diminishing the value of traditional educational methods.

Extracurricular Technological Activities

The school offers those students with a keen interest in this area the chance to take part in workshops that encourage the acquisition of the skills necessary for the 21st century. Year 5 and 6 students with a particular enthusiasm for this subject can join the Techno Team, where they take part in special projects. In Years 10 and 11, we offer the Robotics Workshop, where they prepare for external competitions, and in Sixth Form, the Electronics Workshop, where they create electronic devices that they can also enter into competitions.