Helmsdale Primary School Digital Schools Award Evidence by Mrs Taylor

Leadership and Vision @ HPS

shellytaylor5 — 2025-03-03 20:13:33 UTC

Helmsdale Primary is a small non-denominational school in the Highland Council region, we are comprised of 2 multi-composite classes and an ELC for ages 2+ years.

We now have consistency in leadership and are in a place to advance our curriculum; focusing on developing the use of digital technology; the fruit of the future.

Informed by wider research, equipping our learners with skills for the future is a key focus @ HPS not only this session but as an ongoing priority.

Digital Technology across the curriculum @ HPS

shellytaylor5 — 2025-03-03 20:36:04 UTC

We firmly believe our rural location should not inhit educational experiences and future destinations. We strive to give our learners the same possibilities as you would come to expect in a bigger setting. We have gone out of our way this session to provide more digital opportunities. Being a small school we do not have the same level of staff but we effectively work with various other stakeholders & partnerships. We have also endeavoured to empower our senior pupils to take on a 'teaching role'...

Culture @ HPS

shellytaylor5 — 2025-03-03 20:38:34 UTC

We are growing to have a strong digital technology presence throughout the whole school community @ HPS. We have a school website where news is shared and achievements are regularly documented. We use ClassDojo as our main communication + collaboration platform between school & home, we also have a school Facebook page- private to HPS families.

Professional Development @ HPS

shellytaylor5 — 2025-03-03 20:40:57 UTC

All staff have completed CPD focused around the development of digital technology this session. Teachers have completed training, factored into our working time agreement.

Resources & Infrastructure @ HPS

shellytaylor5 — 2025-03-03 20:44:19 UTC

Though we are a small school in an area of rural deprivation we seek to maximise opportunities @ HPS.

We have fundraised to purchase devices and other equipment to supplement our resources, to benefit our learners and all stakeholders.

2024-2025 School Improvement Plan- Full doc

shellytaylor5 — 2025-03-04 09:44:15 UTC

Pages 7-11 are centred around driving forward the delivery of the digital curriculum @HPS

School Improvement Snapshot

shellytaylor5 — 2025-03-04 09:53:50 UTC

We share an overview with families. The middle column of the overview highlights in a nutshell what we aim to achieve by the end of session.

VVA @ HPS...

shellytaylor5 — 2025-03-09 17:39:04 UTC

Our Vision, Values and Aims are relevant to learning across ALL areas of the curriculum, including digital.

Our vision is to equip our learners with the skills they will need for the future, in line with BTC4

Quality Assurance- Self Evaluation

shellytaylor5 — 2025-03-30 16:57:22 UTC

Using HGIOS 4’s quality indicator framework school staff and learners use the indicators for effective self-evaluation. This session we have looked at QI 2.2 generally, but also with a digital specific lens and we feel we have moved from Satisfactory to Good/Very Good.

Partnership Working within the Community

shellytaylor5 — 2025-03-30 17:06:55 UTC

We have endeavoured to make stronger our links within the community and have tapped into the skills of our local museum digital curator, Jacquie Aitken

Partnership working is a key strength of ours.

Recent portable screen purchase

shellytaylor5 — 2025-03-30 17:12:02 UTC

Thanks to the local community support we raised funds to purchase an 85" portable screen.

Assemblies have improved vastly and the children are much more engaged!

Touchscreen Chrometabs

shellytaylor5 — 2025-03-30 17:13:31 UTC

We raised funds to purchase 2 x touch screen tablets for our Early Level Classes. This has not only allowed for the children to have access, but also staff, on the go in our ELC and in Primary One :-)

Class Dojo Group Points

shellytaylor5 — 2025-03-30 17:19:25 UTC

Children are motivated to achieve and are responding well to the visual element the digital platform offers.

Digital Buddies

shellytaylor5 — 2025-03-30 17:24:53 UTC

Primary 7 pupils have completed a series of sessions in ELC- supporting the youngsters to get used to logging on, using google classroom, playing some learning games and looking at online safety in an age-appropriate manner, through the use of the 'Digi-duck' series.

Pupil Support Assistants- ALD device training

shellytaylor5 — 2025-03-31 08:03:38 UTC

Our Support staff were given bespoke training from the visiting Speech and Language therapist on the use of an AAC device for one of our learners with high tariff needs and communication difficulties.

UHI STEM sessions- Botley coding @ Early Level

shellytaylor5 — 2025-03-31 14:14:21 UTC

Our Pre-schoolers & P1s engaged in a coding session, learning how to use Botley, we have a Bee-Bot and a Botley in our younger class.

UHI STEM sessions- Sphero programming for P2-7

shellytaylor5 — 2025-03-31 14:15:01 UTC

We split our learners into 2 groups- First Level and Second Level, and Mara Gibb- UHI STEM outreach co-ordinator took the lead on using spheros. We hope to borrow the 'lend a lab' kit soon, as the children were so enthused!

HPS Digital Learning Strategy

shellytaylor5 — 2025-04-13 12:17:23 UTC

Staff have worked together to pull together our bespoke Digital Learning Strategy- we feel it captures the overall direction and approach for achieving digital success.

Into Film Screen Machine Visit + workshop

shellytaylor5 — 2025-04-13 12:19:35 UTC

Our Feeder Secondary school were working alongside The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Into Film and Regional Screen Scotland to offer some of the senior students a film making opportunity.

We too got to visit the Screen machine in Golspie and our P5-7 class benefitted from an intro to film session with Alasdair Satchel and Hannah Hunter.

Newton Rooms- Robotics Module

shellytaylor5 — 2025-04-13 12:20:27 UTC

P5-7 participation in this module made great use of the Lego Mindstorms EV3 Robots.

AI in schools Week

shellytaylor5 — 2025-04-13 12:37:24 UTC

Education Scotland ran sessions over the course of the week- Mon 24th- Fri 28th March.

Quality Indicator 3.3: Evaluated- Good

shellytaylor5 — 2025-04-13 17:15:24 UTC

Eden Court Animation Workshop: First Level

shellytaylor5 — 2025-04-13 17:16:14 UTC

Following the success and rave reviews of the Second Level session, our Parent Council paid for our First Level learners to benefit from a half day workshop too.

P2-4 participated enthusiastically- they discovered all about optical illusions, made thaumatropes and worked co-operatively to create some very imaginative stop motion animations, using a mixture of cutting and drawing.

Teaching Staff CPD

shellytaylor5 — 2025-04-13 17:17:26 UTC

Record of training attended.

Plan for next session- to fully roll out Digital Profiling

Pupil Voice

shellytaylor5 — 2025-04-13 17:18:06 UTC

From the mouths of babes!

Three of our pupils from P6/7 have a wee blether about what we have done so far this session...

We also have some learners who would be happy to chat, live.

Into Film Twilight

shellytaylor5 — 2025-04-13 17:36:41 UTC

Early Years Practitioner CPD

shellytaylor5 — 2025-04-13 17:37:17 UTC

Early Years staff have comoleted the online safety training and now refer to the CEOP resources shared.

Our pre-school children participated in the 'Safe, Strong & Free' workshop, E-safety | Safe Strong & Free | Reducing vulnerabilities for Highland Children

1-1 Devices

shellytaylor5 — 2025-04-13 17:42:59 UTC

Upcoming visit to Edwyn Collin's Recording Studio

shellytaylor5 — 2025-04-13 17:44:59 UTC

We have close links with Grace Maxwell, Edwyn's wife and have arranged for P4-7 to visit their recording studio in groups. The studio is on the outskirts of Helmsdale, called Clashnarrow Studios.

Parent/Carer Workshop

shellytaylor5 — 2025-04-14 07:46:13 UTC

A digital safety workshop for parents and carers across our ASG- associated schools group, was arranged. The session was very well received by those in attendance, several people were working and so could not make it on this occasion- info/links were shared with our whole school community.

Online Safety Culture

shellytaylor5 — 2025-04-14 08:01:49 UTC

Across all stages the teaching of digital safety is of paramount importance. Class teachers and EYPs are signed up to Project Evolve.

Teachers across P1-7 have used the resources and learners engaged with the materials.

P3/4 NSPCC 'Speak Out Stay Safe'

shellytaylor5 — 2025-04-14 08:03:43 UTC

First Level learners participated in the 'Speak out, stay safe' programme through NSPCC

New Signage

shellytaylor5 — 2025-04-14 08:11:33 UTC

Our welcome sign was a little worse for wear and it had been suggested @ a Parent Council meeting that we get a noticeboard- however, we went with a QR code, which takes stakeholders straight to our 'News' section on the website.

Planning Progression

shellytaylor5 — 2025-04-14 08:20:09 UTC

How Good is Our School (4th Edition), Education Scotland, 2015, states that: All staff should take responsibility for developing digital literacy across the curriculum.

The Highland Digital Skills Progression is now used to inform planning, across all stages.

QI 2.7: Partnerships

shellytaylor5 — 2025-04-24 10:52:36 UTC

New Electronic Reporting Guidance

shellytaylor5 — 2025-04-28 17:16:59 UTC

Device Agreement for Upper Primary

shellytaylor5 — 2025-04-28 17:21:23 UTC

Our learners and their parent/carers must sign an acceptable use agreement before they can take their devices home.

Since homework has been issued via Google classroom, there has been an increase in the return, each week.

Stop Motion + Green Screen: Second Level

shellytaylor5 — 2025-05-02 15:57:05 UTC

The Google Drive link invites you to view five short animations, which will put a smile on your face!

These were created by P5-7 learner groups, using stop motion techniques on the ipad and incorporated some drama and improvisation with the green screen too! A full day session with Eden Court Outreach- fantastic opportunity for our learners and CPD for the class teacher too.

Book Creator Sessions- Online Safety Guides

shellytaylor5 — 2025-05-02 18:30:11 UTC

First & Second Level learners enjoyed using BookCreator to showcase what they learnt during their online safety sessions.

Here are a selection of their published digital books-

https://read.bookcreator.com/9q5rZHWan9dsbMTl1eWGLkfcpHm1/LVIW9IJyQIm7nsOq-Qu20w

https://read.bookcreator.com/5wsUf7SRPOZH4MXUvOTuKyX7HXr2/OFqQFgulQgqemElALu_Z7Q

https://read.bookcreator.com/m0uLB6w8UZVP957XnC4ry1BwbGr2/u6qNPdaTT3Ou0dhas29ljw

https://read.bookcreator.com/WynXA0nS4zavkJWTBW8QWn0lo3K2/CmNcCrQvQxWn3ZyT3puO4g

https://read.bookcreator.com/u1ASIiZmIKQiZEAQceOOB6HlzDC3/DCd9LpNPQw-yLYLdsMc3wg

https://read.bookcreator.com/RWpEkOoypRbPDKX8q2rzRWXC7Tw2/x2RGWUMcRCCy2zdhuwIKhg

Primary 4 then presented their work to the class

Photography sessions

shellytaylor5 — 2025-05-02 20:20:33 UTC

Over the course of 4 Fridays throughout term 3, we were joined by our local museum/ Art gallery's artist in residence, Joanne Coates

Joanne worked with P5-7 to teach them some digital photography skills. Check out our blog post.

Our Parent volunteer, Amy- who assisted in the sessions, has stated she would like to run an after school photography club soon! :-)

Rights Respecting Schools Journey

shellytaylor5 — 2025-05-02 20:27:20 UTC

We are on our way to Silver, 'Rights Aware'.

The Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA) encourages schools to embed children's rights in their ethos and culture, and digital tools can be valuable for this journey.

RRSA's online resources, like e-learning courses and online training, help staff understand and implement rights-respecting practices.

Digital tools also facilitate communication and sharing of good practices among schools.

Pride in our Journey

shellytaylor5 — 2025-05-03 19:12:21 UTC

We love to showcase our learner's work and regularly update our wall displays.

We have worked hard putting together our 'Digital Journey' wall to share with parents and carers at our upcoming open afternoon.

ELC wall display

shellytaylor5 — 2025-05-04 11:07:25 UTC

Nursery have their own 'Technology' wall, our digi buddies sessions feature on it too :-)

Inspiring Reluctant Writers

shellytaylor5 — 2025-05-05 18:19:25 UTC

Children who usually struggle to put pen to paper and complete written work have shown enthusiasm when writing recounts of their experiences.

Intergenerational IDL

shellytaylor5 — 2025-05-09 14:30:29 UTC

We are working together with Timespan to create a podcast about the effects of climate change. We use microphones and have developed interview techniques.

We are half way through the series and our most recent work made the village social media page!

Photography resources

shellytaylor5 — 2025-05-12 12:27:03 UTC

Following on from the success of the photography sessions in partnership with our local museum & art gallery. One of our parent volunteers hopes to be able to set up an after school camera club in the future.

Enthusing Younger Learners

shellytaylor5 — 2025-05-12 14:23:12 UTC

We now have two digital cameras for early years to have the use of. The children have been observed actively choosing the resource and enjoying the features.

Learner Feedback

shellytaylor5 — 2025-05-14 18:04:25 UTC

Evidence collated from a google form survey- lots of positives :-)

Staff Feedback- Digital Curriculum

shellytaylor5 — 2025-05-14 18:07:11 UTC

Teachers have all completed training and have positive feedback. Looking into more for our Pupil Support Assistants will be something to think about moving forward.

Trip to Music Recording Studios

shellytaylor5 — 2025-05-21 16:29:00 UTC

Some photos from our outing to the recording studio.

Edwyn Collins - A Girl Like You (Official Video)

Feedback from Partners

shellytaylor5 — 2025-05-21 16:31:31 UTC

Being a small school we work collaboratively with other professionals, to enhance our curriculum.

Letter of Congratulations

shellytaylor5 — 2025-06-16 18:29:12 UTC

Validation Report

shellytaylor5 — 2025-06-16 18:29:55 UTC

Certificate

shellytaylor5 — 2025-06-16 18:30:28 UTC