At Manor High School, the iPad Frontiers Programme has transformed classrooms into dynamic, connected spaces where students learn, collaborate and create with confidence. Since its launch, pupils have been using iPads to enhance lessons across all subjects, from geography and English to maths and beyond, making learning more interactive and accessible than ever before.
The initiative is part of OAK Multi Academy Trust’s commitment to giving every learner access to the best digital tools available. The programme promotes inclusion, independence and creativity, ensuring that technology enriches learning both in and beyond the classroom.
Bringing Learning to Life
Teachers and pupils alike have embraced digital learning through a wide range of innovative apps. Showbie has quickly become the school’s most-used platform, giving students access to resources, assignments, videos and links all in one place. Lessons are uploaded digitally so that pupils can review materials, complete work and receive feedback, even if they miss a session.
Apple Classroom helps teachers guide learning in real time, allowing them to see what pupils are working on, share examples instantly, and keep lessons running smoothly. Other popular tools include Sparx Maths, Explain Everything and Canva, which provide interactive and creative ways to explore subjects and demonstrate understanding.
Year 7 pupils recently brought geography to life by creating multimedia presentations on settlements, complete with maps, images and analysis. Year 8 built on this by studying urban geography using the Burgess Model, applying their understanding to real-world cities through visual presentations and group discussions.
Personalised Support for Every Learner
Inclusivity is a cornerstone of the programme. iPads are tailored to meet the needs of every student, with features that make learning more accessible for all. Pupils with special educational needs benefit from tools such as colour overlays, magnifiers and text-to-speech functions, all customised to their individual settings.
For students who speak English as an additional language, iPads can be set up with translation options, allowing them to switch seamlessly between languages and engage fully in lessons. This flexibility means every student can access the curriculum and contribute confidently in class.
As one Year 8 pupil, Henry, shared: “They have a large variety of tools to use to learn.” Lily in Year 7 agreed, saying, “It’s easier to find the work you need if you miss a lesson.” Their feedback highlights how digital tools are helping learners take ownership of their progress, building skills that will last a lifetime.
Encouraging Independence and Reflection
Teachers at Manor High have also found that iPads foster greater independence and engagement. Students can use split-screen mode to view model answers, vocabulary builders and knowledge organisers while writing their own responses. They decide which resources help them best and can easily switch between them as they work, supporting deeper understanding and self-directed learning.
As Year 8 pupil Keren explained, “I like being able to look back on work at home.” This ability to review past lessons encourages reflection and continuous improvement.
Quick quizzes have also become a popular part of lessons, adding a healthy sense of competition while helping teachers identify and address misconceptions instantly. These short, interactive assessments ensure that learning gaps are quickly spotted and closed, keeping pupils on track and confident in their progress.
A Culture of Innovation
From lesson design to classroom practice, the iPad Frontiers Programme is embedding a culture of innovation across Manor High. Teachers use a blend of digital and traditional methods, ensuring technology enhances, rather than replaces, strong teaching and human connection.
As one student put it, “We get to try learning in new ways.” Another added, “They help with homework and activities after school.” These voices reflect the spirit of curiosity, creativity and ambition that defines both the programme and the wider ethos of OAK Multi Academy Trust.
By combining cutting-edge technology with excellent teaching, Manor High School is helping students develop the skills, confidence and independence they need to succeed, both now and in the future.