About
Blended and mobile learning allows different use of time and space. It can lift or lower learning barriers and allow groups and individuals to pursue their passions and discover new creative pursuits. Thanks to organisations such as Rethinking Assessment, Learning through Landscapes and many others, positive changes are already happening for some. Digital portfolios and learner profiles are being successfully used in some schools. Lead by the Natural History Museum, the National Education Nature Park programme is evolving, and schools grounds are being mapped on a national map.
With teachers under constant pressure, under funded schools and a lack of flexibility, it is hard for head teachers and their staff to implement changes. In school club and community settings we will collaborate with others to explore and test possibilities. We aim to help catalyse positive change in and out of school. We will draw on our own professional experiences and our experiences as parents of children with learning differences.
Leonie Maclay
Leonie's interest in blended learning began after her son, aged 9, left school in 2016. His 7 year blended learning journey was transformative and he is now thriving at a mainstream sixth form.
Keen to explore the wider potential of blended learning, Leonie studied Technology-Enhanced Learning with the Open University. She co-founded Curious Curators, a cross-curricular pilot project for primary schools. It was launched in Salisbury, originally under the umbrella of Art History in Schools. She started the App Club to allow extra time for digital skills training for the 2023 iteration of the Curious Curators project. Her background is in architecture and she has also studied landscape and urbanism and various short online courses including game design.
Caroline McAteer
Leonie's co-founder, Caroline McAteer, has worked in both mental health and special educational needs settings with all age ranges. Caroline has qualifications in adult counselling, promoting independence and children’s mental health. She has a very keen interest in psychology.
Her educational experience includes work in the Woodford Valley Primary School resource base; 1:1 support for a child with complex needs and support for the 2023 iteration of the Curious Curators project at Manor Fields.
Caroline has had first hand experience of the difficulty of accessing support for neurodiverse children. The older brother of Caroline's triplets has ASD, ADD and auditory processing dyslexia. Although very clever, he was unable to express his needs and he struggled in school. The lack of support for his diagnosed needs had a major impact on his progress though school.