Caterham School Question

[Talbot53]

Hello everyone,

We live in the Croydon area and are considering secondary schools for our son (2022 entry). I was hoping that someone might be able to help with a question around Caterham school.

There's obviously a great deal to like about the school and it is certainly very impressive, but we were intrigued to learn that a significant majority of the school work takes place on iPad. I may have gotten the wrong end of the stick, but during the online open day, it seemed to be suggested that iPads had effectively replaced work with paper and pen and almost everything was submitted online.

I appreciate that this compliments the general ethos of the school to develop young men and women that are ready for the modern workplace, but I still personally believe that there is an enormous amount of benefit to be had from grappling with work on paper, writing ideas out in longform and learning the 'old fashioned' way - not least for developing the ability to concentrate. I can't shake the prejudice that working on an iPad risks being slightly 'superficial'.

Could anyone shed any light on the approach of the school and quite how significant the electronic component of the learning is? And, if so, what their general feelings about the method are.

Thanks in advance.

Also very interested to hear views from parents with current students at Caterham

It may have changed recently but not all departments rely on use of ipads - Biology and Classics for example tend to produce their own written materials. When ipads were first introduced there was some concern about negative effect on exam results but they are now well established as a teaching tool.

Thank you LIZS. How do you find the school generally? DC got an offer today so keen for feedback.

Dc have left now. Lots of emphasis on value of cocurricular activities and wellbeing, some great, caring teachers.

Thank you for the response Lizs.

Yes, it would certainly make sense for certain subjects to stick to pen and paper. Part of me obviously understands that this technology will form the basis of how we work in the future so perhaps it is better that they get used to it now. As you say, it is a tool. And, like all tools, it can be used effectively or incorrectly.

It's really just the point of concentration that concerns me. We limit the boys iPad time to the weekend, but even after an hour, I see an immediate change in their behaviour. They become peevish and easily annoyed. They're addicted to the things.

We're still very likely to sit him for entrance. To be honest, once he sees the cricket pavilion there, I think his mind will be made up.