With over 60 entries in The Innovation & Entrepreneurial Thinking Challenge, our Rendcomb Business Studies team fought off some strong competition

The value of internet-based learning has never been more widely appreciated. Massive numbers of parents and students had to turn to digital teaching aids and credible education websites when the COVID-19 pandemic shut schools and colleges.
 
However, as there are now so many websites and apps geared towards mainstream curriculum subjects, it can be challenging to pinpoint the right digital learning tools. Students can unwittingly start to assimilate outdated or skewed information from sites that appear educationally relevant.
 
Rendcomb College has always promoted ‘self-managed’ studies alongside  quality teaching. This includes signposting Juniors and Seniors to verified education tools online.
 
Having a list of boarding school approved education tools for Juniors can be particularly important. It helps to focus the attention of younger students on websites that teachers have thoroughly tested and found merit worthy.
 
Here are our five best education tools for younger students.
 
1 – Beanstack
  
This tool for Junior pupils supports their exploration of the wonderful world of literature. With Beanstack, you can join as a family or school, and it enables you to take part in digital reading events and challenges.
 
Children can be inspired to not only read age-appropriate books but also prepare book reviews that develop important literacy skills. Milestones and digital ‘badges’ spur them onwards.
 
Parent company Zoobean offers other sites that students can access via computers or smartphones too. This includes the Lerner Sports Database, which curates biographies of current and past athletes.
 
Stimulating independent reading via an app or website can support a lifelong love of books!
 
2 - Boddle Learning
 
Boddle Learning is a digital tool for mathematics that uses playful characters and adaptive techniques to engage students at all levels. It’s all about having fun while you learn and also building maths confidence and motivation, as well as an understanding of basic numeracy building blocks.
 
It has been proven to be a great way for children to fill in ‘gaps’ or to catch up with classroom topics, as well as a way for more able pupils to challenge themselves in maths.
 
3 - Adventure Academy
 A great online learning tool to explore a wider range of topics, Adventure Academy uses highly attractive characters to help its young users to combine gaming fun with education.
 
Junior students can take part in interactive projects covering numeracy, literacy, science and social studies, as part of an online adventure.
 
You get to choose your own virtual ‘Player’ and design a home for them, as preparation for fun, educational quests.
 
4 - Code Monkey
 Code Monkey is an online tool that teaches young students a new language. The language of computer code!
 
Taking part in fun interactive games, Juniors can pick up basic coding skills without even realising it. This is not just valuable for future software developers. Many of our young people will be using computer language as part of their future use of technology for many career paths.
 
Helping Rendcomb College pupils feel comfortable and confident with hardware and software, is part of our commitment to creating universal skills for boarding school students.
 

5 - Netflix educational shows
 Netflix has become woven into everyday life in the UK and is much discussed. What is perhaps less appreciated, is how well it curates educational programmes, documentaries, and films.
 
The trick is to make sure that young children and pre-teens only have access to interesting and merit worthy viewing, rather than the more dubious aspects of Netflix's vast digital library!
 
The link above takes you to a diverse age-specific list of high-quality Netflix shows that can expand young minds, and underpin classroom learning.
 
More advantages of digital learning tools
 
Focusing your child’s attention on fun, interactive ways to learn online can be a great way to support their formal lessons. It’s also a great introduction into how to use their much-loved electronic gadgets for research and learning.
 
This will equip them well to either reach their exam goals or enrich their general understanding of the world and their individual interests.
 
Using the best online tools for Juniors also prepares them for independent studies in later years, including a smooth transition from boarding school to university!
 
For now, knowing which websites help young minds to develop can simply be about providing fun educational activities with less friction for parents to cope with.

The best education for children and young people is one that adheres to the national curriculum, while still offering opportunities for exploration, free-thinking, and cultivating genuine interest. How does our boarding school support this for Junior students?

Rendcomb College is fortunate to have both a high-quality infrastructure and well-developed timetable, which enable us to meet academic targets while building (not stifling) the natural curiosity of our vibrant student community.

Junior pupils receive quality teaching at boarding school, to cover all the core subject areas. Our Seniors progress to focusing on their chosen fields of study. However, our aim is to ensure they carry with them insights into a wider range of topics, as well as excellent GCSE results.

In other words, helping our Juniors to find their best and preferred subjects for further study is very different from ‘turning them off’ some curriculum areas!

It’s also important to note that not all state schools can provide the depth of educational experience available at a successful independent school like Rendcomb College. For instance, Drama is sometimes only taught to older pupils, while we feel it develops important life skills in our Juniors too.

Here are five typical subjects taught to Juniors at boarding school.

1 - Design Technology

Teaching DT in schools can provide important creative stimulus and practical insights. All students benefit, irrespective of whether they go on the focus on essay-based topics as Seniors.

It enables them to explore the world around them in a highly tactile and logical way, including researching different structures, mechanisms, materials and methods of electrical control.

Taught well, Design Technology is also fun, especially any lessons involving food! This means students have their minds and creativity opened up, in a way that improves their whole learning experience at boarding school.

2 – Drama

Why is drama important in schools?

It is certainly not about nurturing future stars of stage and screen. We develop in our students an appreciation and understanding of the arts. This enriches their enjoyment of live theatre for example. Drama at a top boarding school will also develop presentation and critical analysis skills. The benefits include greater confidence in public speaking and an ability to understand and use body language.

Clearly, these and other creative learning experiences are all part of moulding resilient adults as well as stimulating a lifelong appreciation of the arts.

3 – Science

There is now a substantial drive to stimulate more Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics graduates globally. We hope that our superbly equipped, purpose-designed science labs are the starting point of a stellar career in this field.

However, we fully recognise that STEM subjects are not for everyone!

The aim is to open up science to all Junior pupils at Rendcomb College. Not simply to gain an understanding of core physics, chemistry and biology principles. We want them to have important safety insights while developing confidence and curiosity to explore and question their world.

4 – Computing

With the rampant rise of technology, any future career – or indeed Senior studies at boarding school – will rely on computer dexterity.

Many students at our independent school already have a fascination with technology of course. Within the framework of national teaching standards, we aim to channel this interest into maximising confidence in computer science. Pupils can develop important IT skills at boarding school that will have lifelong value.

5 - Physical Activity

If PE at school suggests to you shivering in shorts and T-shirts as you reluctantly run around a draughty playing field, think again.

Rendcomb College offers a superbly equipped gym and sports hall, and well-shielded sports fields in our extensive grounds. We also provide an enviable standard of coaching and highly diverse timetabled and leisure pursuits.

Of course, traditional sports are available. Though Junior boarders and day pupils can also take part in games lessons and extracurricular activities such as badminton, basketball, gymnastics, dance and swimming.

There are ample opportunities for team sports and competitive endeavours to secure positive affirmation, at all levels of ability and fitness. Rendcomb College also encourages Juniors to enjoy personal challenges and to benefit from improving their individual physical skills.

After all, good physical health is an excellent source of support for good mental health.

Breaking open pigeon holes

The way boarding schools teach curriculum topics to Juniors is just as important as the breadth of subject matter we provide.

Smaller class sizes and focused learning support are woven into our classrooms, as well as study groups and additional tuition outside the classroom. Also, by recognising and encouraging individualism in our students, we give them the tools to self-manage the way they acquire knowledge for the rest of their lives.

Working remotely is not a problem for Old Rendcombian Doug Ellison (1992-97). For the man whose cameras are 101 million miles from his fingertips, the novelty wore off some time ago.