Standens Barn Primary School

We are a Northampton school set in an urban context in the middle of England. We have 393 children on roll aged 4-11. Our school population has changed significantly over the last 4 years from being a predominantly White British to a school with 51% of children coming from minority Ethnic groups and 33% having English as an additional Language, because of immigration. We have a strong ethos based upon our BEST core values (teaching children to be Brave, Enthusiastic, Safe and Thoughtful, and to act accordingly) and this permeates throughout the school. This forms part of our vision which builds upon our academic and social aims for each child.

Our school has a commitment to growing technology expertise: every classroom is equipped with interactive whiteboards and we have made the move towards tablet technology. We now have a ratio of 1 piece of technology to 1.8 children. We have recently started up our own Standens Barn TV on YouTube using green screen technology. This has developed the speaking skills of the children and has had a remarkable impact on the development of the immigrant children who arrive at the school with English as an additional language. As a result of the work the school does with immersing immigrant children into the life of the school, the progress the children make is significantly above the national rates of progress for children with English as an additional language

We also have a commitment to developing pupil Digital Leaders. The digital leader’s role is a key one in the school as these are children who have sufficient ICT skills to help other children and teachers. They sometimes work independently and at other times they work with younger children to support them with the learning of ICT and how to use technology. This support also extends to helping the staff and trialling new hardware and software.

Visit the Standens Barn School website.

The University of Northampton

The University of Northampton is a modern institute in the heart of England providing undergraduate and postgraduate education for over 10,000 students spread out between two campuses.

The Faculty of Education provides Initial Teacher Training leading to qualified teacher status for Primary and Early Years, alongside degree courses in Education Studies, Early Childhood Studies, a Foundation Degree in Teaching and Learning, and a BA SEN and Inclusion degree. There is a Master’s Level programme in education which includes an option to study for a Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Computing, led by Helen Caldwell.

Throughout the university there is an initiative to implement the use of technology in teaching and learning. The University is currently making increased use of technology-focused blended learning approaches in preparation for a move to a new campus in 2018. Designated learning technologists support academic staff in providing interactive, varied and progressive units of learning incorporating a wide range of technological tools.

The University’s infrastructure includes a stand-alone business centre, the Sunley Management Centre and a number of research centres, including the Centre for Education and Research (CeSNER) within the School of Education, with provision for research students undertaking PhD studies in education. The University is committed to social innovation, as is evidenced by its Institute of Social Innovation and Impact.

The university is the first university in the UK and Europe to achieve the ‘Changemaker’ designation from Ashoka U, the world’s leading network of social entrepreneurs, and one of only 24 in the world with the ‘Changemaker’ designation. The University of Northampton’s social enterprise work is underpinned by three very clear values:

• we will provide a unique student experience of the very highest quality, developing both theoretical and practical competence in social enterprise that prepares the leading social entrepreneurs of the future
• we will encourage, support and develop entrepreneurial skills and enterprising attitudes among our students, our staff, and the members of the communities we work with
• we will deliver a fairer and more inclusive society

Visit the University of Northampton website.

Jump to another Project Partner

Learn more about the four European partners involved in the Digital Learning Across Boundaries (DLaB) project: