eLearning

At St. Catherine's College, we envision a learning community where digital technology is not just a tool but a foundational element of a knowledge-rich curriculum. Our vision is to empower every student to become a digitally fluent and responsible citizen, ready to thrive in a high-growth economy driven by innovation. Our approach goes beyond simply using digital tools; we focus on the embedding of digital skills across all subjects and aspects of school life. We believe this integrated approach is essential for students to develop a deep and practical understanding of how technology shapes our world.

Teachers within and across departments learn from one another and share their innovative practices in the interests of all learners. All teaching staff are continuously up-skilling in the use of Digital technologies and e-learning in order to enhance the learning and teaching experiences of our students.

Every teacher has a tablet device to assist in the delivery of learning; every classroom has a PC and has been equipped to enable screen-sharing from a mobile device.

ICT Facilities

We have an iMac room as well as ten computer suites for student access. Students also have access to school Chromebooks and iPad devices to help with the completion of digital tasks and accessing curricular materials.

Student digi-skills

Student digi-skills are continually developed through both Digital Literacy and Digital Technology timetabled classes.

Google Workspace Skills

We deliver a progressive Google Workspace Skills programme across Key Stage 3, equipping pupils with the digital competencies needed for learning and life.

In Year 8, pupils complete the Bronze Workspace Skills Award, developing foundational abilities in Google Docs, Slides, Drive organisation, sharing and collaboration.

In Year 9, the Silver Award builds on this through more advanced use of Google Sheets, Forms, Sites and enhanced digital communication skills.

By Year 10, pupils undertake the Gold Award, mastering higher-level skills such as data handling, multimedia creation, workflow management and collaborative project work across the full Workspace suite.

Alongside pupil development, we also prioritise staff digital capability through the Google Educator Level 1 and Level 2 certifications, Google Trainer qualifications, and most recently, staff training in Google Gemini AI to enhance planning, teaching and learning.

Digital Safety

Digital safety forms an integral part of our KS3 Digital Literacy curriculum as well as in all Year group assemblies throughout the academic year as part of the Safer Internet campaign. All students are guided on how to ‘THINK SMART’ and navigate the online world safely, ethically and with respect for others. This includes understanding the impact of their digital footprint and becoming confident, discerning and positive online citizens.

With over 90% of our students owning a smartphone, we have also created our own ‘Bring Your Own Device’ to school policy where learners are actively encouraged to use technology they already possess for educational purposes.

Despite being an all-ability school located in the heart of a Neighbourhood renewal area, St. Catherine’s College ensures there is no digital divide as all students can access school devices and PC’s before school begins, during break times and after school.

Google Classroom

All staff have access to and make very effective use of our online classroom platform – Google Classroom. This platform has revolutionised our learning and teaching practises and pedagogy as it offers a more flexible approach to differentiation and personalisation of learning; as well as enabling a ‘flipped classroom’ approach where students can think forward and access learning materials before entering a classroom.

It enables the creation of a flexible learning environment where learning can take place at a time that suits the learner and the teacher; questions, reminders, assessments, tips, advice and materials can be communicated outside of normal school hours thus reducing and removing barriers to learning for all of our students.

Teachers and students use free-form creation tools to create resources and ideas; capture learning experiences and construct personal forms of representation. These materials and resources created in or outside of the classroom can then be learned, shared and collected for revision preparation or task completion via Google classroom which is accessible on both PC and mobile devices.

Student Apps

All students have access to a range of apps and software that allows them to capture and collect information and experiences; communicate and collaborate with fellow students and staff; consume and critique a variety of texts and media, and construct and create personal forms of representation and expression.

Apps like Google Docs and Slides allow students to collaborate meaningfully when completing group tasks while Padlet walls facilitate peer-to-peer sharing of work, ideas and resources. Pic collage, iMovie, Comic Life, Adobe Spark Page and Adobe Spark Video allow students to create 21st century media texts that incorporate both moving and still images as well as sounds and text. Podcasts and Garageband are used by our languages departments to capture language learning experiences and assist students in the preparation for examinations.

Computational Thinking

Across Key Stage 3, pupils develop a strong foundation in computational thinking through Scratch programming. They learn essential programming concepts such as sequencing, loops, variables, events and selection, while building interactive stories, animations and games. Throughout these activities, pupils also strengthen wider digital skills including problem-solving, debugging, creativity, logical reasoning and collaboration. By the end of KS3, pupils can plan, design and refine their own projects using block-based programming, preparing them for text-based coding at Key Stage 4.

At Key Stage 4, pupils progress to Python programming, where they deepen their understanding of key programming principles and develop practical skills required for CCEA GCSE Digital Technology. They learn to write and adapt Python code using variables, data structures, selection, iteration, functions, file handling and modular design. Pupils also build confidence in algorithmic thinking, testing and refining programs and applying industry-relevant practices such as commenting, input validation and error-handling. By developing both creative and technical Python solutions, pupils are equipped with the skills needed for real-world problem-solving and further study in Computer Science.

St. Catherine’s College School App

The unique St. Catherine's College app is available to download free from the Apps Store or Google Play store (verification is required before you can fully register).

The school app is our main source of communication with our community. We use it to publish daily notices, school letters and personal notifications. The app also contains the school shop, calendar and is used for submitting important digital forms, including school consent forms, sick notices and permission-to-leave-early communications.

School Gateway App

St. Catherine’s College make effective use of the School Gateway app to allow parents to digitally track their child’s attendance, access reports online and top-up their child’s credit for the school cafeteria.

Mobile Device Management (MDM)

Our ivanti MDM & Google Admin. console is essential for centrally managing all school-maintained staff and student devices. This system allows us to securely ‘push’ the appropriate learning and teaching apps directly to devices, supports features for device location and is critical in helping us maintain the digital safeguarding of our students.

Canteen Biometric System

At St. Catherine’s College, we use a state-of-the-art biometric solution for secure and efficient payment at the school canteen tills. The main benefits are enhanced security and speed, which is vital for processing the large number of students during the three lunch periods.

Parents can easily top up their child's account electronically via the School Gateway app, with the funds credited within minutes. This system also allows parents to view logs of purchases, and alert allergy notices to staff at the till to ensure student safety.

Electronic Register

St. Catherine’s College has reinvested in an upgraded digital solution for Sixth Form students to sign in upon arriving on school grounds. This technology is highly efficient, allowing students to sign in quickly using their school pass or one of the four touchscreen panels located throughout the school.

Once signed in, the attendance information is instantly written to our school attendance system (SIMS). Students who arrive late sign in digitally and receive an official pass to give to their class teacher, ensuring accurate attendance monitoring.

Awards

In 2018, St. Catherine’s college was awarded the prestigious ‘Transforming Teaching & Learning through Technology’ award by CAPITA Managed IT solutions.

CAPITA Awards Video

The Digital Technology Department at St. Catherine’s College has a strong record of excellence, proudly winning the Year 9 CyberFirst Girls Competition three times in 2019, 2022 and 2024. These achievements showcase the outstanding skills and determination of our pupils, who excelled in challenges ranging from cryptography, logic and problem-solving to artificial intelligence, cyber safety and networking. Their repeated success highlights not only their talent and teamwork, but also the department’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of cyber security champions.

Google Reference School

St. Catherine’s College has been officially awarded as a Google Reference School, recognising our commitment to using technology to deliver innovative learning and teaching experiences.

This prestigious certification highlights our successful adoption and integration of Google for Education tools across the curriculum. A significant factor in achieving this status is the dedication of our teaching staff, with numerous staff members successfully completing their Google Educator Level 1 and Google Educator Level 2 certifications. This ensures that our students benefit daily from innovative, modern and effective digital teaching practices.

Our Next Step: Becoming a Google Gemini School

Building on this success, we are now actively working towards becoming a Google Gemini School. This initiative demonstrates our forward-thinking approach to education, embracing the latest advancements in artificial intelligence to:

Personalise Learning: Tailoring content and support to meet the unique needs of every student.
Boost Creativity & Problem-Solving: Using powerful AI tools to engage students in complex projects and innovative solutions.
Prepare Students for the Future: Ensuring our graduates are equipped with the essential skills for a rapidly evolving digital world.

A future focused, faith based school which nurtures children through educational excellence

eLearning