Four schools in Staffordshire have installed a new online learning environment called Frog (www.frogtrade.com) to allow teaching and learning to continue outside the school classroom. Thomas Alleyne’s High School, Uttoxeter, and De Ferrers Specialist Technology College, Burton upon Trent, installed Frog at the start of term and have already found that the technology significantly enhances flexible learning. The JCB Academy, Rocester, due to open in September 2010, and Oldfields Hall Middle School, Uttoxeter, have also installed the technology to allow students and teachers to access all school information, including homework, diaries, email, resource booking and timetables, from one online location.

According to recent research, only 67 per cent of secondary schools are using a learning platform, with a further 29 per cent planning to implement one in late 2009.* The Government has set schools the target of offering parents real-time access to their child’s learning on a timely and frequent basis – at least once per term by 2010. Having implemented Frog, Thomas Alleyne’s High School - a secondary school with 1350 students - is set to meet this target one year in advance.

Ian Cartwright, Project Manager at Thomas Alleyne’s High School, comments: “Frog is changing the way we work and is helping to foster a culture of leadership in the school. The forums have really helped our students to network with each other; they are transforming students into keen learners both inside and beyond the school classroom. Teachers love being able to work from home and to set work for absent students more easily than before.”

Gareth Davies, Managing Director, Frog, adds: “These schools in Staffordshire are shining examples of those which have implemented an effective online learning environment that engages the whole school community.”

For further information about Frog please call 01422 250 800, email: hello@frogtrade.com or visit www.frogtrade.com.

*According to 2009 research from BESA (British Educational Suppliers Agency) – a trade association with over 300 members which include manufacturers and distributors of equipment, materials, books, consumables, furniture, technology, ICT hardware and digital content – all to the education market.