Learning today. Ready for tomorrow.
At Arcadia Global School, technology plays an important role in supporting teaching, learning, communication and collaboration. Our approach is simple: technology should have a purpose. We use digital tools where they enhance learning, encourage creativity, support collaboration and help students develop the skills they need for an increasingly digital world.
Our digital strategy provides an age-appropriate technology journey from Foundation Stage through Secondary School. As students progress through AGS, their devices and digital environment evolve with their learning needs, moving from shared technology in the early years to individual devices and, ultimately, a Microsoft Windows-based learning environment in Secondary School.
AGS follows a progressive device model designed around the educational requirements of each stage of a student’s journey.
| Users | Overview | Device / Platform |
|---|---|---|
| FS1 & FS2 | Shared school-managed devices are available within Foundation Stage classrooms. Teachers incorporate technology when appropriate to enhance learning while maintaining the importance of play, communication, exploration and hands-on experiences. | Shared iPads |
| Years 1–2 | Students move to a 1:1 device model, providing consistent access to age-appropriate digital resources for creativity, communication and learning. | 1:1 iPad |
| Years 3–6 | Students participate in the AGS Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programme. Families may provide a supported Apple iPad or Android tablet that meets the school’s device requirements. | Tablet |
| Year 7 onwards | Students transition to a laptop-based learning environment. Windows provides the standard computing platform across Secondary School and supports the school’s Microsoft digital ecosystem. | Windows Laptop |
| Academic Staff | Teaching staff are provided with school-managed technology to support lesson planning, classroom delivery, assessment, communication and collaboration. | Windows Devices / Microsoft 365 |
| Administration | Administrative and operational staff are provided with managed technology appropriate to their roles and access to authorised school systems and services. | Windows Devices / Microsoft 365 |
In FS1 and FS2, technology is introduced carefully and purposefully.
Students have access to shared, school-managed iPads within the classroom. Teachers decide when digital technology can meaningfully enhance a learning experience.
At this important stage of development, technology complements rather than replaces play, conversation, physical activity, creativity, exploration and interaction.
Devices remain at school and are centrally managed to provide a consistent and appropriate learning environment.
From Year 1 to Year 2, students move to a 1:1 iPad model.
Having individual access to an iPad allows students to begin developing greater independence and confidence when using technology for learning.
Teachers integrate digital resources into lessons where appropriate, enabling students to create, communicate, research and demonstrate their understanding in different ways.
The focus remains firmly on learning, with technology used as one of many tools available within the classroom.
From Year 3 to Year 6, students participate in the AGS Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programme.
Students may use a supported Tablet devices. This approach provides families with greater device flexibility while allowing the school to maintain the digital standards necessary for teaching, learning, security and safeguarding.
Devices used for learning are required to meet AGS technical requirements and must be enrolled within the school’s approved device-management environment where required.
As students progress through Primary School, they are encouraged to become increasingly independent and responsible users of technology.
The transition to Secondary School also marks an important progression in our students’ digital journey.
From Year 7 onwards, Windows laptops are the standard student device at AGS. Moving from tablets to laptops provides students with access to a more advanced computing environment suitable for Secondary education and prepares them for the increasing academic and technological demands of their studies.
AGS follows a Microsoft and Windows-based digital environment for Secondary students, providing consistency between student devices, school systems and productivity tools.
Students develop confidence working within a Windows environment and using Microsoft technologies for communication, research, collaboration, organisation and academic work. This also helps prepare students for the digital environments they are likely to encounter in higher education and their future careers.
Microsoft technology forms the foundation of the AGS digital ecosystem.
Microsoft 365 provides students and staff with a secure and consistent environment for productivity, communication and collaboration.
Depending on their year group and learning requirements, students and staff use Microsoft tools including Microsoft Teams, Outlook, OneDrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other Microsoft 365 applications.
These services enable learning and collaboration to continue across classrooms, subjects and devices while providing students with experience using widely adopted productivity technologies.
Our Microsoft environment becomes particularly important from Year 7 onwards, when students transition to Windows laptops as their standard learning device.
Technology is most effective when it supports excellent teaching.
AGS teaching staff are provided with school-managed Windows technology and access to Microsoft 365 to support their professional responsibilities.
Our digital environment enables teachers to plan and deliver lessons, access learning resources, collaborate with colleagues, communicate with students and families, manage assessment and make effective use of classroom technology.
Teachers are supported through professional development and ongoing technical assistance to ensure they can use the school’s digital tools confidently and effectively.
The objective is not to replace traditional teaching methods with technology, but to provide teachers with a wider range of tools through which they can create engaging and effective learning experiences.
Digital technology also supports the effective operation of AGS.
Administrative, leadership and operational teams are provided with managed Windows devices and Microsoft 365 services appropriate to their roles.
School systems are used to support communication, information management, collaboration and day-to-day school operations.
Providing staff with a consistent and centrally managed technology environment also enables AGS to maintain appropriate standards for security, access and information management.
The safety and wellbeing of our students remain central to our approach to technology.
Devices accessing the AGS digital learning environment are managed in accordance with the school’s technology, safeguarding and acceptable-use requirements.
Appropriate device management, security, filtering and monitoring technologies are used to help maintain a safe and focused digital learning environment.
Student devices within the school’s BYOD programme are required to comply with AGS device-management requirements before accessing designated school services and networks.
Students are also taught that digital safety is about more than technology. It involves making responsible decisions, protecting personal information, communicating respectfully and understanding their responsibilities when working online.
Our responsibility extends beyond teaching students how to use a particular device or application.
We want students to become confident, responsible and thoughtful digital citizens.
Throughout their journey at AGS, students develop an understanding of online safety and privacy, responsible communication, appropriate use of digital resources, digital identity and behaviour, information literacy, cyber awareness, copyright and ownership, responsible use of emerging technologies, and critical evaluation of online information.
As technology continues to evolve, these skills help students make informed and responsible choices in both their academic and personal digital lives.
AGS uses a carefully selected range of digital platforms to support learning, communication, assessment and school management.
Microsoft 365 forms the core of our productivity and collaboration environment, supporting communication, file management, collaboration and learning across the school.
iSAMS is the school’s Management Information System (MIS) and supports the management of student information and key academic and administrative processes.
Additional digital platforms and educational applications are selected according to curriculum requirements and the age of students. These platforms complement classroom teaching and may support areas such as assessment, feedback, interactive learning, communication, creativity and independent study.
Our selection of digital platforms is reviewed as educational requirements and technologies continue to evolve.
AGS centrally manages its digital environment to provide students and staff with secure and reliable access to technology.
School-owned devices are configured and maintained by the AGS IT Team, while student BYOD devices must comply with the school’s published requirements.
Device management enables the school to apply appropriate configurations and security requirements while providing access to the applications and services required for learning.
The AGS IT Team works closely with teaching, leadership and administrative teams to support the effective use of technology throughout the school.
While technology is an important part of education at AGS, we recognise that effective learning requires balance.
Students continue to learn through discussion, reading, writing, practical activities, physical education, creative experiences, collaboration and direct interaction with teachers and their peers.
Digital technology complements these experiences.
Our focus is therefore not on increasing screen time, but on ensuring that when technology is used, it has a clear educational purpose.
Technology will continue to change throughout our students’ education and future careers.
For this reason, our digital strategy is not simply about teaching students how to use today’s applications.
We aim to develop students who can communicate, collaborate, create, research, analyse, problem-solve, think critically, work independently, use information responsibly and adapt to new technologies.
Our progressive device journey supports this development:
Shared iPads in FS → 1:1 iPads in Years 1–2 → Tablet Devices- BYOD in Years 3–6 → BYOD – Windows laptops from Year 7 onwards.
Alongside this progression, students develop increasing independence, responsibility and confidence in the way they use technology.
At Arcadia Global School, technology is a tool for learning, creativity, communication and opportunity.
Our digital strategy provides an age-appropriate, safe and progressive pathway that evolves alongside our students.
By combining purposeful classroom technology, managed devices, a Microsoft-based digital environment and a strong focus on digital responsibility, we aim to ensure that every AGS student develops the confidence and skills to thrive in a rapidly changing digital world.
