Apple Distinguished School
We are pleased to be recognised as an Apple Distinguished School for our innovative use of learning across the curriculum made possible through our one-to-one iPad programme across Key Stage One and Two.
Our Story
Heronsgate Primary School is a 3 to 4-form entry state school in south east London set across two campuses. We serve an area facing above average deprivation, with 31% of children eligible for free school meals, and have a culturally and ethnically diverse school population, with 65% of children speaking English as an additional language. Despite these challenges, we have been graded 'Outstanding' by Ofsted since 2008, with our 2022 report describing Heronsgate Primary as “an exceptional school”. Our 1:1 iPad programme, first introduced in 2016, is key to how we deliver a broad and balanced curriculum to all our learners, regardless of background.
Vision
We see technology as a powerful tool for learning across the curriculum that allows us to ‘discover and realise the genius in everyone.’ Through providing ubiquitous access to technology in Years 1-6, iPad offers engaging experiences, facilitates creative collaboration and encourages thoughtful reflection. Through exploring new ways of working with Apple technology, identifying what works well and then implementing best practice across the school, we are able to continuously innovate in our approach.
Educator snapshot
Apple Teacher
30
Apple Learning Coach
3
Apple Distinguished Educator
1
Tech snapshot
1:1 student iPad devices
📱
Mac computers for staff
🖥️
Apple TV in classrooms
📺
Learning
Teachers deliver lessons in a responsive way, freed up to move around the entire classroom space through the integral use of iPad in teaching at Heronsgate. iPad offers a versatile interactive surface, with apps such as Explain Everything or Keynote then AirPlay mirrored to a large Apple TV-connected screen in the classroom and throughout the school.
We make use of Showbie as our learning platform with iPad, allowing for distributing resources to children, gathering back in work from learners and rich feedback on learning. This works across the whole iPad ecosystem, with apps such as Pages allowing students to complete digital workbooks to as part of their learning in subjects such as science, DT and humanities.
Through devising a bespoke computing curriculum, children learn coding skills with apps such as CodeSpark, Tynker, Scratch Jr and Swift Playgrounds. We also ensure the basics of using apps such as iMovie, GarageBand, Pages, Numbers and Keynote are taught to children, so that these can then be used across the curriculum as required.
iPad has accessibility built-in, so students make use of features as and when they need it. And because every child has a device, it can be useful for all whilst being vital for some.
Success
Our results in English and Maths at the end of Key Stage 2 outperform the local authority and national average. iPad is part of how we support children to achieve their best.
As the result from our participation in the 2025-26 Apple Distinguished School Global Educator Snapshot study showed, Apple technology really makes a difference to the engagement of students and to their learning.
What’s next
We want to explore further the use of low-stakes formative assessment tools (such as Showbie Assessments) to embed retrieval practice approaches into classroom pedagogy. This continues our approach of ensuring that technology use in the classroom continues to enhance learning.
