By Mrs Geraldine Drabble, Head of Junior School
At PLC, we are dedicated to creating the optimal conditions for girls to truly flourish. In the Junior School, this begins with an intentional commitment to a simple, increasingly rare luxury: giving children the space to just be children.
Our approach to technology is both thoughtful and forward-thinking. While digital tools are integrated to enhance and extend learning, we are equally committed to ensuring they never dominate a child’s day. 
To support this balance, iPads primarily remain at school. Keeping these tools within the classroom ensures their use is purposeful, collaborative and closely connected to learning. Only in the older primary years, and only when required for a specific homework or inquiry task, will an iPad be taken home.
We believe a school’s role extends to supporting the wellbeing of the whole family. By keeping school devices at school, we intentionally clear the way for families to enjoy focussed, quality time together. This approach simplifies evening routines and naturally creates more space for shared experiences, whether that is conversation around the dinner table or the simple, restorative rhythms of family life. We are proud to foster an environment where the people who matter most take centre stage.
This philosophy is consistent across our Junior School. Mobile phones and smartwatches are not part of our learning environment; they are handed in at reception each morning and collected at the end of the day. This allows our classrooms and playgrounds to remain spaces for genuine connection, free from the distractions of the digital world.
This is not about removing technology; it is about intentionality, balance, and educating our young people about responsible use of their devices. We recognise that meaningful learning is driven not by constant access to a device, but by the quality of the experiences we create. In our Junior School, that means time spent outdoors, immersed in nature. It means rich, face-to-face collaborative learning. It means music, movement, and creative expression and moments of quiet that spark imagination.
There is a powerful clarity that emerges when technology is used with purpose. When screens are used intentionally rather than constantly, our girls become more present and more engaged. We see them move from being consumers of digital content to creators of their own worlds.
They talk more. They play more. They notice more. They are, in every sense, thriving.
At PLC, we know firsthand the benefits of setting clear, consistent boundaries around technology. It is a proactive choice that strengthens relationships, supports parents, and most importantly, protects the joy of childhood.
If you would like to learn more information about PLC’s approach, book a Junior School Tour.
