A network of 20 schools and colleges across the UK who will drive the Edtech Demonstrator Programme and demonstrate best practice in the use of classroom technology have been announced by the Department for Education (DfE).
Announced last year to accelerate peer-to-peer support for effective edtech use, the programme has since been adapted to support the provision of remote education, with programme expansion scheduled for the coming weeks.
On top of providing professional development, the programme will target schools and colleges that are most in need of support, including those trying to get to grips with new solutions and devices, as well as those with the most disadvantaged learners.
“I’ve always recognised the potential new technology has as part of a blended learning approach to enhance learning and build links between home and school – it’s been central to the success of King Ecgbert School since I was appointed in 2016,” said Paul Haigh, headteacher of the school. “When we had to close due to COVID-19 on Friday 20 March, we reopened the following Monday as a virtual school using technology most schools can already access. We are proud to be asked to support other schools with capitalising on education technology to minimise the loss of learning at this difficult time.”
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The DfE – alongside delivery partners LGfL, Sheffield Hallam University and The Education Foundation – has identified 20 education providers who have proven their excellence in their ability to use technology to enhance teaching and learning, and have demonstrated their willingness to help other institutions in their utilisation of classroom tech.
The Demonstrator schools and colleges are as follows:
Balcarras School with National Star College – South West
Basingstoke College of Technology – South East
Beauchamp College – East Midlands
Broadclyst Community Primary School – South West
Cheam Common Junior Academy with members of LEO Academy Trust – London
Coupals Primary Academy and Thomas Gainsborough Secondary School (Unity Schools Partnership and Unity Research School) – East of England
Danesfield School – South East
Darlington College – North East
Hambleton Primary Academy with Ribblesdale High School and Highfurlong School – North West
Heronsgate Primary School – London
Kibworth Church of England Primary School – East Midlands
King Ecgbert School with Notre Dame High School – Yorkshire and the Humber
Lea Forest Primary Academy (Academies Enterprise Trust) – West Midlands
Mount Hawke Academy, Aspire Academy Trust – South West
Sandringham School – East of England
Shacklewell Primary School with Grazebrook and Woodberry Down Primary Schools – London
Skipton Girls’ High School – Yorkshire and the Humber
St Alban’s Catholic Primary School with Bishop Challoner Catholic College – West Midlands
St John Baptist Catholic Comprehensive School – South East
Warden Park Secondary Academy (Sussex Learning Trust) with Warden Park and Northlands Wood Primary Academies – South East
Paul Edge, assistant headteacher at Ribblesdale High School, commented: “We are thrilled that our collective expertise and experience is being harnessed by this Programme to support a wide range of schools. The current situation has forced all schools to be highly dependent upon remote learning, adjusting to a very new way of working. We look forward to supporting colleagues in other institutions, aiding their students to experience the very best teaching, learning and wider support which can be afforded by remote learning solutions.”
Click here to register your interest in the Edtech Demonstrator Programme