How can schools harness technology to create truly inclusive, future-ready classrooms? Two forward-thinking Multi-Academy Trusts – Connect Education Trust and LEO Academy Trust – have embedded Nearpod, a comprehensive online teaching and learning platform, at the heart of their digital strategies. By prioritising pedagogy over trend, Tracy Murray and James Lewry share how purposeful use of digital tools has transformed teaching and learning: boosting engagement, enabling adaptive support and giving every child a dignified voice.
Vision-led digital strategy
For Tracy Murray at Grange Park Primary School, their digital strategy is rooted in a clear vision: ‘Creating foundations for bright futures.’ This ethos underpins every decision, ensuring that technology enhances engagement, accessibility and future readiness. One-to-one Chromebooks have transformed teaching and learning, enabling consistent practice across year groups and providing real-time data to support every child – whatever their starting point.
James Lewry at Shawley Community Primary Academy shares a similar commitment. For LEO Academy Trust, the goal was to equip pupils with essential digital skills for life beyond school. ‘We realised that’s the future,’ James explains. ‘We want children to collaborate, create and be ready for the real world. ‘What began as a drive for digital competence has evolved into a powerful tool for inclusion and adaptive learning.
Empowering every learner
Nearpod is a comprehensive online teaching and learning platform which includes the interactive tools, resources and content teachers need, all in one place. Both schools highlight Nearpod’s role in giving every child a dignified voice. Features such as voice recording, video responses and Collaborate Boards allow pupils to contribute in ways that suit them – removing barriers and reducing anxiety. ‘No longer are they the child with the dreaded worksheet,’ says James. ‘They have dignity in the lesson and control over how they respond.’
‘Some of our children were such passive learners previously. They were afraid of using their voice, or having a voice and recording their ideas down.’
‘Having tools such as Nearpod to enable them to contribute to the class discussion and have their voice heard is so important, because we can facilitate their learning and give them resources that help them be successful.’
Tracy echoes this sentiment: ‘Word banks and success criteria are no longer handed out to one table – they’re available to everyone through Nearpod. ‘Self-paced lessons mean pupils can revisit resources as often as needed, while others can accelerate to challenges. This flexibility fosters autonomy without isolating learners, ensuring equity for all.
Adaptive teaching in action
Nearpod’s real-time data is a game-changer. Teachers can identify misconceptions instantly and provide in-the-moment feedback, rather than waiting until after lessons. ‘We’re no longer spending hours marking work that children don’t remember the next day,’ Tracy explains.
‘Adaptation happens in the moment – what our children deserve and what our children need.’
James agrees: ‘None of the learning gets lost. We can scoop up misconceptions right then and there, keeping pace and depth in lessons. ‘This approach aligns perfectly with Ofsted’s focus on adaptive teaching, which both trusts have championed for years.
Strengthening writing through improved oracy and digital collaboration
Writing can be one of the hardest skills to nurture, yet both trusts have seen remarkable gains thanks to the combined impact of Nearpod and a deliberate focus on oracy. As pupils use Collaborate Boards, Google Slides or Google Docs to organise their thinking, they’re not only planning more effectively but also talking, sharing and refining ideas aloud before committing them to writing.
This richer oral rehearsal means pupils approach writing with stronger vocabulary, clearer structures and greater confidence. Collaborate Boards ensure every child can contribute and draw on the language of the whole class, not just a partner, helping them ‘magpie’ ideas that lift the quality of their own writing. Editing also feels less daunting, with pupils happy to experiment and redraft because changes on a device are simply part of the creative process rather than a permanent mark on a page.
For EAL learners and pupils who need reading support, hearing the text while following along enables them to join discussions fully, building the spoken-language foundations that translate directly into stronger written outcomes. Together, improved oracy and Nearpod’s collaborative tools have created a writing culture where pupils think more deeply, express themselves more clearly and produce higher-quality work with pride.
Blended learning and beyond
Far from passive screen time, digital tools at Grange Park and Shawley enable active, purposeful learning. Pupils engage with tasks, collaborate online and still enjoy rich offline discussions. Reading texts uploaded to Google Classroom, for example, allow pupils to work at their own pace by toggling between resources while writing responses in books. This keeps lessons flowing smoothly and saves valuable time.
The impact speaks for itself. Grange Park’s Key Stage 2 combined reading, writing and maths results reached 87%, compared to a national average of 62%, placing the school in the 97th percentile nationally. For LEO Academy Trust, staff satisfaction is 15-20% higher than the national average, thanks to reduced workload and smarter marking.
Efficiencies and sustainability
Beyond attainment, the trusts report significant savings. Reduced printing alone saves around £78 per child per year and prevents the loss of hundreds of trees. Recruitment costs have dropped as staff retention improves, and teachers benefit from time efficiencies that support wellbeing.
Top tips from the experts
- Do: ‘Have a clear vision,’ advises Tracy. ‘Know your ‘why’ and choose tools that fit your context.’
- Don’t: ‘Digitise bad habits,’ warns James. ‘Don’t just upload worksheets – redesign learning for impact.’
- Invest in culture, not kit: CPD is key to success. ‘Train teachers to use tools like Nearpod effectively,’ says James.
Ultimately, their journey shows that when the right digital tools meet a clear, purposeful vision, every learner gains the dignity, opportunity and support they deserve – and every school can unlock the same transformative potential.
Discover more
Both trusts regularly host Digital Discovery Days for schools keen to learn more – sign up below:
To read more about how the trusts are implementing Nearpod read their below success stories:
- Transforming student engagement and achievement with personalised learning in Nearpod (Connect Education Trust)
- Necessary for some, useful for all (LEO Academy Trust)