Sunning Hill Primary School, a two-form entry school in Bolton, have been using now>press>play to increase curriculum engagement amongst their pupils since April 2018.
Impressed by the range of immersive Experiences and cross-curricular opportunities, they were excited to see how now>press>play could open up children’s learning through extending pupils’ life experiences, role-play, creativity, inquiry, and exploring ideas.
In this case study, Sunning Hill teachers offer their thoughts on how they use now>press>play, the impact on pupils learning, and children’s reactions.
How now>press>play engages pupils in the curriculum
Sunning Hill uses now>press>play Experiences to increase pupil engagement in the foundation subjects of the curriculum. In particular, now>press>play has been popular in Science, History, English, PSHE, and Geography lessons.
The school have been using it both as a “hook” at the beginning of a new unit or topic in History and Geography, or at the end to consolidate children’s learning. After mapping this out with their now>press>play Account Manager, the Experiences are now planned into the school’s curriculum.
Over the years, now>press>play has responded to Sunning Hill’s needs, updating Experiences in order to meet the changing curriculum. This has helped in developing children’s learning in the foundation subjects.
While using now>press>play, the children were engaged and were actively involved with their learning. It gave the children a better understanding of the story and boosted their imagination and listening skills.
For Sunning Hill, now>press>play has helped bring learning to life. The school uses now>press>play Experiences as a foundation to class work, building on the Experience in later lessons to embed vocabulary and enhance writing.
The school makes use of now>press>play’s follow-on resources, including Quizzes and Writing Opportunities, to further their students’ learning.
now>press>play allows all children to be involved in their learning using a unique approach.
Making the curriculum accessible for everyone
now>press>play has worked most successfully in captivating all pupils, however they learn. The now>press>play Experiences have allowed all children to access the curriculum in a safe and comfortable environment.
Throughout the school, children who are kinaesthetic learners have benefited from the use of now>press>play to a great degree. Due to the Experiences being story-based, the children enjoy listening to a narrative and being able to act this out at the same time to show their independence.
now>press>play has also helped with children who struggle to focus for large periods of time, as they are able to move around the given space to act the Experience out.
Lower ability children have benefitted from now>press>play when embedding new vocabulary; they are engaged and able to develop knowledge of the first person.
What the Sunning Hill children think of now>press>play
The children thoroughly enjoy using now>press>play, as it takes them into a different environment for their learning, and they have the chance to take on the role of the people they are learning about.
The children always look forward to using now>press>play. They have been very excited and have loved how fun the Experience sessions are.
We love to use now>press>play because it is fun! We can listen to the story but use our imagination to act it out.
How using now>press>play makes learning different
now>press>play encourages children to use their imagination to experience what it would have been like to be a historical character, a scientific explorer, and more.
now>press>play’s Anglo-Saxons Experience gives children the chance to learn about the Anglo-Saxons in a different lesson environment. They are able to imagine different characters’ feelings, their work life, the difference in culture over time, and significant historical events.
The Experiences allow all children to take part without feeling the pressure of having to produce written pieces of work to show their learning. Instead, they can take part verbally in the ready-made discussions that follow each Experience.
When using now>press>play, the children are more focused and imaginative. It allows them to work independently and to think for themselves, as well as helping support follow-up learning. It is stimulating for all learners, interactive, creative, and practical.
Going forward, the school aims to continue using now>press>play to support the range of learning styles within their classes and deliver curriculum content in an engaging manner.
Using now>press>play, allows the children to learn through a different platform that they necessarily don’t always have the opportunity for.
Using now>press>play, allows the children to learn through a different platform that they necessarily don’t always have the opportunity for.
Sunning Hill’s favourite now>press>play Experiences:
We were delighted to receive this feedback from Sunning Hill. now>press>play are proud to continue working with the school to help create engagement and inclusivity within their curriculum.