K-12 / Case Study
How Woodland Academy Transformed Learning with Jamf for K-12
The best technology deployments in schools are focused on how you can enhance the educational experience for both students and teachers. Woodland Academy Trust, which oversees five schools across Bexley and Kent in the UK, is a clear example of what purposeful deployment can make possible.
Their story is a useful model for any district thinking about a 1:1 program or evaluating how to get more from their Apple device investment.
The Challenge
Woodland Academy Trust was facing lowered student engagement and elevated levels of dysregulation, resulting in more than usual attendance issues and suspensions. Teachers were struggling to accommodate the diverse learning needs of students effectively.
To face these challenges head on, leadership set an ambitious goal: reimagining education in a way that aligns with how students actually learn today.
They wanted to foster skills that traditional models often miss, like:
- Digital literacy
- Critical thinking
- Collaboration
- Learner agency
Dan Davies, Assistant Headteacher for Digital Development, believed the main challenge would be training staff and adjusting the mindsets of their community. He knew the technology was capable of meeting this goal, but it needed to be set up in a way that matched the expectations of students and teachers.
The Approach
Woodland Academy Trust launched a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach, supported by a 1:1 iPad initiative managed through Jamf School. They led with the why, focusing on their goal. The technology needed to support their efforts, but not overtake them.
The schools had previously been using Jamf Pro, but moved to Jamf School (part of Jamf for K-12). Jamf School integrated cleanly with the teaching applications they already relied on, and also provided a user-friendly platform that let administrators and educators focus on their goals.
They started with a single classroom set per school to see how the iPad integrated into the learning environment. This allowed the instructional technology team to address technical considerations at a small level before a wider rollout. They used what they learned from the single classroom set to tailor the setup and address any concerns in the wider implementation, which they planned for the following year.
The Tools That Made the Difference
The Jamf Teacher app, also part of Jamf for K-12, gave educators flexible classroom controls. Teachers created tailored lessons, chose the right tools for each task, and limited internet access when needed. This allowed students to explore while still having safe boundaries, helping them build independence while keeping the focus on the learning goals.
The Jamf Student app, part of Jamf for K-12, helped support the learners directly. Students were able to do things like record science experiments and watch them again in slow motion to see things they may have missed the first time.
Jamf for K-12 platform environment, apps, and tools gave Woodland Academy Trust a unified, efficient digital ecosystem across all five schools.
The Results
The impact of the UDL approach was significant and measurable:
- The achievement gap narrowed, particularly for economically disadvantaged students, students with special education needs and disabilities, and students learning English as an additional language.
- Suspensions reduced
- Attendance increased
- 92% of pupils reported feeling less anxious about coming to school due to their use of the iPad in the classroom
Overall, they noticed students found new ways to engage with the curriculum. Teachers adapted remarkably well, reporting a reduction in workload that allowed them to focus more on teaching. Many teachers stated they would not return to a traditional setup.
Woodland Academy Trust also reduced recruitment costs and saved on paper, photocopying, books, and other classroom materials.
Gail Beale, Deputy Head Teacher for Inclusion at Northumberland Health Primary School, said that Jamf gave staff the ability to support the diverse learning needs of every student. It enabled a more inclusive and adaptable educational environment where each student could access personalized tools and resources tailored to their unique needs.
What This Means for Your District
The Woodland Academy Trust story illustrates something MBS sees consistently: the districts that get the most from their Apple investment are the ones that approach it with purpose. The technology is the foundation, but the real transformation comes from thoughtful implementation, staff training, and a clear vision for what the technology can make possible.
MBS works with K-12 districts to build exactly this kind of purposeful deployment, from configuration and zero-touch deployment to the ongoing support that makes a program successful over time when using Jamf for K-12. Our partnership with Jamf also gives K-12 institutions access to a free trial to evaluate the platform.
If your district is considering a 1:1 program with any Apple device or wants to get more from an existing Apple deployment, we are happy to talk through what that could look like.
Contact MBS to discuss K-12 Apple deployment
Mac Business Solutions (MBS) is a certified Apple and Jamf partner specializing in K-12 education deployments, enterprise device management, and Apple infrastructure.Apple, the Apple logo, and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.