On Monday 14th July, South Wirral High School proudly welcomed Minister Stephen Morgan to see first-hand how our relentless drive for higher standards and ambitious futures is being supercharged by the Department for Education’s Connect the Classroom programme.
Thanks to £166,000 of government investment, we have upgraded our entire Wi-Fi and cabling network – creating a connected learning environment that empowers teachers to deliver high-quality lessons anywhere on site, and students to access the tools they need to succeed.
The visit began with a tour of the school, dropping into live lessons to see the technology in action – from Year 7 pupils using Chromebooks in creative writing and English to live modelling and instant feedback using iPads. He observed how staff used remote devices outside during PE line-ups and saw how senior staff use mobile connectivity to support student regulation across the site.
At the Learning Hub, the Minister met with students who explained how the improved network supports SEND learners and EAL students – and how bursary-funded Chromebooks help sixth formers seamlessly move between school and home study.
Headteacher Mr Mike Cloherty said:
“Connect the Classroom has given us the foundations to push standards and ambition even further. It means our staff can deliver the highest-quality lessons, respond faster, and hold every student to the high expectations they deserve. Our goal is for every young person here to achieve more than they ever thought possible – and this investment helps make that happen.”
SENDCo Ms Victoria Goode explained how the improvements benefit students with additional needs:
“Every student, whatever their background or need, should have the chance to succeed. Our upgraded network means students with additional needs can access the support, devices and software they rely on – whether that’s translation tools for EAL learners or technology that helps neurodiverse students learn in ways that suit them best. It’s all about giving them the confidence and independence to aim high.”
Mrs Sian Hodson-Evans, Assistant Headteacher and Raising Standards Leader for KS3, described the impact for her area of focus:
“My role is all about ensuring our students – especially those who are disadvantaged – have the literacy and learning foundations to succeed. Reliable, fast connectivity means we can deliver responsive teaching, support reading recovery and build oracy and writing skills effectively. It helps us give every student the best possible start in Key Stage 3 so they can thrive throughout their time here.”
The visit ended with a discussion in the Library involving students, staff and the Minister, giving our pupils a chance to share how better connectivity helps them learn, research, complete homework and prepare for exams. The Minister also met with senior leaders to hear about how stronger digital infrastructure is raising standards across the curriculum. Staff spoke about how live coaching platforms like Steplab, AI-driven assessment tools and new iPad rollouts will build on this progress in the months ahead.
Looking ahead, South Wirral High School remains focused on driving ambition even further – with plans for an iPad rollout for all staff, AI-supported marking and feedback, and even an eSports hub to help students develop skills for the future.
