Bowes Primary School, based in London, is a school for students aged between three and 11. Part of Connect Education Trust, Bowes Primary strives to ensure that all pupils achieve their best, both academically and socially.
Connect Education Trust has been pioneering digital learning techniques for many years and prides itself on being “tech-savvy”. Most recently, this has involved the use of virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR).
At Bowes Primary, VR/AR is becoming an important part of the learning journey pupils take as they progress through the school, from nursery to year six. Since adopting ClassVR, teachers at Bowes Primary are using the technology to enhance learning at all stages and engage pupils of all ages.
Using ClassVR as a Vehicle for Engagement and Imagination
Bowes Primary continuously seeks new ways to immerse students in their learning, and bring subjects to life for learners of all abilities. With the introduction of ClassVR, teachers now have an exciting vehicle with which they can enhance students’ experiences across the curriculum.
“We’re passionate about digital learning, so we are always looking to introduce more education technology into the school,” explains Joel Hockman, Assistant Headteacher at Bowes Primary. “There’s a lot of curriculum content to cover, so we want to find new ways to engage and motivate our students, to not only improve their understanding of a subject or a topic but to also spark their imagination.”
After receiving training from the ClassVR team, Joel had the skills and confidence to support the implementation of ClassVR across the school, initially working with a small group of teachers to explore how the new technology could best fit within the curriculum. ClassVR was first introduced in Key Stages 1 and 2 before being rolled out to all classes.
“All the staff thought it was amazing, and showed a real interest in exploring how to use VR/AR effectively,” says Joel.
We spent a lot of time thinking about how to incorporate ClassVR into lessons in a purposeful way. Once the teachers had used it a couple of times, they gained confidence and a better understanding of how to use VR/AR to really benefit the students.
Captivating Content that Opens Up New Opportunities
Bowes Primary now uses ClassVR throughout every key stage and with all learners. How it’s used varies depending on the subject or topic being taught, but there are many examples of how VR/AR is being incorporated into lessons.
“In terms of topic work, there’s often a lot of information and content involved. The aim is to bring the children on a journey with you, but it can sometimes be quite dry,” explains Joel. “Enabling students to experience a topic in an immersive setting with ClassVR is much more captivating than other methods.”
For example, as part of history studies, students have explored Anglo-Saxon villages and Viking ships, while for science, they have viewed different organs from the human body in incredible detail. In geography, students have been transported to the rainforest using the Future Forests Experience, which highlights real environmental challenges and the impact of human activity across several countries in South America.
“The Future Forests Experience really captured the students’ imaginations,” Joel recalls.
They learnt about different plants and animals, some of which they may never have the opportunity to come across. All learners were not only fully engaged when using ClassVR, but were also able to talk about their experience in detail. An opportunity of a lifetime that they may not have otherwise experienced.
Stimulating Minds and Building Vocabulary: How ClassVR is Benefiting Learning
Bowes Primary might be at the beginning of its journey with ClassVR, but the benefits of using immersive technology in the classroom are already apparent.
More Engaged and Motivated Learners
Teachers have reported higher levels of motivation and engagement among pupils thanks to ClassVR. When the ClassVR headsets come out, students are excited by the possibilities it offers and ready to learn. “Anything linked to technology immediately captivates and stimulates the students – and they absolutely love ClassVR,” says Joel.
This increased engagement extends to students of all ages and abilities. “It’s often challenging to engage a whole class of children, especially if students are working at different levels or have different needs,” explains Joel. “But the immersive nature of ClassVR makes topics more accessible, regardless of level or ability. It’s a very inclusive learning tool. Everyone can benefit from it, regardless of their individual learning style.
Improved Vocabulary and Oracy
Bowes Primary prioritises teaching oracy across its curriculum to underpin literacy, enhance cognitive development, and foster social skills. Teachers recognised that ClassVR could be a useful tool for improving oracy among students, especially those with additional needs, those with English as a second language, and even those performing under the expected level for their age.
“By developing strong speaking and listening skills, we can equip students to express their thoughts, fully engage in their learning, and interact more effectively,” Joel explains. “Being immersed in a setting makes it real and less abstract. It allows you to talk about it, and if you can do that, you can write about it. If the task is to describe a particular mountain or terrain, for example, the child’s vocabulary is going to be much more real if they can see it in 3D rather than reading about it or seeing it on a screen.”
Using ClassVR allows for differentiation to take place at the various key stages. A child in the early years might be asked to describe what they can see in a scene, whereas a child in the later years will be expected to use a wider range of vocabulary, for example to describe the functions of a particular organ.
“It’s all about making it purposeful,” explains Joel. “Anyone can look at a VR scene, but it’s our job as teachers to make sure they get something from it, to make sure it supports the lesson objective.”
Enriching Learning and Transforming Teaching
Bowes Primary’s use of ClassVR is already being recognised for its positive impact on learning. It was even highlighted in a report by England’s national schools inspectorate, Ofsted. The report, which rated Bowes Primary ‘outstanding’ in all key areas, detailed the way the school enriches students’ learning.
“The school makes use of a wide range of resources, including, for instance, digital technology, to enhance pupils’ experiences across the curriculum,” it said. “In nursery, for example, children used virtual reality headsets to see what is under the sea, while in science, pupils used the headsets to supplement their study of the human heart.”
Gulev Karayel, Director of IT and Communication at Connect Education Trust, says introducing ClassVR to schools like Bowes Primary has been a “turning point” in the Trust’s pedagogical practice, opening up a world of immersive experiences that were once out of reach.
“We’ve seen a significant impact on vocabulary, oracy, and retention as learners engage more deeply, imagine more freely, and understand more clearly,” she adds.
ClassVR empowers every learner to explore, reflect, and learn at their own pace, making learning both memorable and meaningful.
How Bowes Plans to Create its Own VR Future
Bowes Primary is still in the early stages of its ClassVR journey, but the reaction from both students and teachers, and the impact it has had upon student engagement and knowledge retention, is inspiring the school to explore further uses for VR/AR.
“We’ve already started to look at creating our own VR content,” concludes Joel. “I’m working with our teachers to identify how we can expand learning opportunities and explore new ways we can add value. It’s very exciting, the possibilities are endless!”