Digital Resources at The Compton School

 

Remote Learning and Digital Resources at The Compton School

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital learning tools, but The Compton School had already invested heavily in educational technology before 2020. Today, the school operates a blended learning model where digital resources enhance — rather than replace — face-to-face teaching. Students and parents can access a wide range of online platforms, and the school maintains a robust remote learning contingency plan for snow days, public health incidents, or individual student absence.

Every student at Compton is issued with a school-managed Google account. All teaching materials, assignments, and feedback are distributed through Google Classroom, which students can access from any device with an internet connection. Each classroom is equipped with an interactive whiteboard, and the school has three dedicated computer suites (totalling 90 PCs) plus six laptop trolleys (120 laptops) for in-class use. For students without reliable internet access at home, the school offers loaned 4G-enabled Chromebooks and mobile Wi-Fi dongles. Technical support is available via the Compton School IT helpdesk and digital resources guide .

The school's remote learning policy is clear: during any period of school closure or student isolation, live lessons are delivered via Google Meet, following the normal timetable as closely as possible. Recordings are uploaded within 24 hours for students who cannot attend live. Teachers set three pieces of work per day (one per core subject in KS3, one per option subject in KS4). Attendance at live lessons is monitored, and students who do not engage receive a phone call home within 48 hours. The full remote learning contingency plan at The Compton School is reviewed termly.

Beyond the core Google suite, the school subscribes to a range of specialist digital resources. These include: Seneca Learning and HegartyMaths for independent practice, GCSEPod for revision videos, and Unifrog for careers and university research. All students have free access to these platforms using their school login. The school also provides online safety training through the National College's e-learning modules. Parents can access guides to each platform via the parent digital toolkit at Compton School .

For students with SEN, digital accessibility is a priority. The school provides text-to-speech software, screen readers, and coloured overlays on request. Exams access arrangements are replicated in remote learning settings, including additional time and rest breaks. The SENCO works with the IT team to ensure that any remote learning platform is compatible with assistive technologies.

The Compton School London has learned that digital tools cannot replace great teaching, but they can extend it. Students use online quizzes to retrieve prior knowledge before lessons, discussion forums to collaborate on projects after school, and self-marking assessments to receive instant feedback. Parents can monitor their child's engagement through weekly summary emails from Google Classroom.

The school's digital strategy has been shared with other Barnet schools as a model of good practice. For a complete list of online platforms, login instructions for parents, and guidance on screen time balance, visit https://thecomptonschool.co.uk.