'Facebook'-style technology in Greater Manchester schools takes the classroom beyond school walls

Fourteen schools in Greater Manchester have installed a new online learning environment called Frog (www.frogtrade.com) to allow teaching and learning to continue outside the school classroom. Schools including Wright Robinson College and Chorlton High in Manchester, Springhill High and Matthew Moss High in Rochdale, The Hathershaw College of Technology and Sport and Counthill School in Oldham and Reddish Vale Technology College, Alderley Edge School for Girls and The Kingsway schools in Stockport have installed this technology to enhance anytime anywhere learning. It allows students and teachers to access all school information, including homework, diaries, email, resource-booking, daily bulletins, school hard drives and timetables, from one online location. The Radclyffe School in Oldham and Bramhall High School in Stockport have also purchased the system and plan to install it during this academic year.

According to recent research, only 67 per cent of secondary schools are using a learning platform.* 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 September 2010. Having implemented Frog, these Manchester schools are set to meet this target in advance.

Mr Timmons, Deputy Headteacher, Wright Robinson College, comments: “We have a good working relationship with Frog and are happy with our bespoke solution which will be going live this week. We are confident that it will play a major part in transforming teaching and learning both within and beyond the classroom.”

Gareth Davies, Managing Director, Frog, adds: “These schools in Manchester are fantastic 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.