This BETA Blog has been set up to provide an alternative platform for visitors to share their thoughts following a visit to the Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy.
Paul Mason, Headteacher, Southill Primary School
Gary and Melissa very kindly gave up a lot of their time (on a Friday afternoon!) to help us understand how IPACA organise their primary classes and integrate IT. This has given us much to consider as we look to develop our own school.
Richard Scott, Media Development Manager, DASP/Thomas Hardye School
A great day at Kidsmeet last week. Inspiring to see the children mixing and teaching each other.
Julian Hitchman, UK Sales Manager, Advanced Learning
I visit over 200 Schools a year and my visit yesterday was fantastic. Seeing technology and learning spaces being used to enhance learning was great.
Children and staff had a smile on their faces and its easy to see why IPACA is so highly regarded
Baron Miles, Director of Social Enterprise (lol), Weyforward
Really enjoyed the big open space of the super classroom. Interested to see a lesson going on with so many young people. Also, would like to see Chromebooks in action. Thanks for the open and friendly welcome. Plus coffee.
Jason West, Founder, #Weyforward
It was great to meet Gary, discuss so much in such a short period of time and have a look around the new learning spaces. I will be back with my governor's hat on and bring my school colleagues with me. We have a lot to learn from you.
Mrs O'Brien, ICT Co-ordinator, St Mary's Middle School Puddletown
We had a great time at the recent Kidsmeet, my pupils really enjoyed showing what they had created in Computing lessons. We were also impressed by what the other schools had brought along to show. Many thanks to Gary and IPACA for having us.
Bob Duffin, HeadTeacher + ICT Leader, Cheselbourne Village School
Brought along some children from my school to the joint IPACA DASP Kidsmeet. A fabulous day. Great to see children of all ages from all schools engaged in lively sharing of learning. Teachers too very much enjoyed this great sharing of ICT skills. We all learnt a lot and it was great to join up with the IPACA staff and students. Mr Spracklen and I are already planning another Kidsmeet in the Spring and in the Summer.
Adam Lloyd, Pupil, Hardenhuish School
Thanks very much for being very hospitable on Wednesday.
Everyone we met was very accommodating, and more than happy to give us a lot of very valuable information.
We began our visit with a vague idea of a few ideas we might like to explore, but by the end we had a lot of information which we can now discuss.
Many of the things we saw at IPACA, I feel, were really very educationally valuable, and I think that we'll be able to build upon many of the things we saw on the campuses.
Karl Rivers, Network Manager, Biddenham International School
The passion and dedication for students and technology shown at IPACA was hugely motivating. Thank you very much for your hospitality and a special thanks to Jordan Day who was the perfect host.
Harmeet Sahota, Assistant Headteacher, Queensmead
Impressed by your vision for use of Technology to enhance T&L. Thank you for your time and hospitality.
Sandra Jenkins, Principal, Freemans Bay Primary School, New Zealand
Thanks to Gary Spracklen and Terry White for the tour of IPACA campuses - it was a great visit. The commitment to personalising learning in flexible learning spaces was very impressive. I wish you all the best with your journey and look forward to see how the new building develops.
Jackie Stringer, Commercial Director, WeTeach
Thanks to Gary for an amazing overview of how IPACA is delivering innovative learning. It's particularly great to see technology being used in a thoughtful, open ended way to enhance pupil progress and enrich their school experience. Particularly interesting to see how technology, learning spaces, and a really homely environment are combined at KS1.
Sean Gardner, CEO, Tute Education
I get to visit many schools, but few are as impressive as IPACA - such engaged students within a school embracing the best that new technology can bring to learning.
Tony, Sales Account Manager, Shillingford
Amazing visit and great presentation and gided tour from Gary Spracklen. thanks for showing Gillotts School around and we hope they will be our next Freedom Cloud customer.
Matt Cooper, Head of UK sales, Tripleplay Services
Very impressive site, using technology to its maximum potential to enhance student learning
Met with Gary Spracklen who is very impressive and a real innovator in regards to using technology as a teaching tool. Hope to come back soon
Adrian Kite, Education Manager, BenQ
Many thanks for the invitation your wonderful school. Great to see a school that has fully embraced technology across the whole school and the children reacting to the environment in such a positive way. Hoping to visit again soon.
Ken Corish, Online Safety Manager, UK Safer Internet Centre
Many thanks for the invite and enjoyed my time with you and the team… in particular the excellent ethos and culture you have created at Osprey Quay and the wonderful environment in which to celebrate it. There is a palpable passion that emanates from your team that no doubt contributes to its success.
