Our teachers use digital technology across the curriculum to enhance and extend pupils’ learning. Technology in the classroom provides innovative teaching practices, enables faster and more directed feedback, encourages collaboration and teamwork, and provides easy access to learning materials, both in and out of school. The strategy’s aim is not to replace good classroom practice but rather to augment, complement and extend learning, creating digital-confident pupils with skills for the future.

Microsoft 365 and MS Teams are used across all year groups, providing pupils with access to a wide range of learning resources and assignments. Teachers are able to respond to pupils’ questions quickly and provide detailed feedback on assignments online. Subject-specific software such as Sibelius and Photoshop are used by teaching departments to enable activities not possible in a non-digital classroom.

With pupils in Year 9 and above, we operate a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) scheme, with parents asked to provide their child with an MS 365 compatible computer that they can use in lessons and for homework.

In September 2023, it was confirmed that we have been awarded the status of a Microsoft Showcase School in recognition of the work that staff and pupils have done with the development of our digital learning environment. There are fewer than 70 schools in the country with such an accreditation and fewer than 600 worldwide, so we are understandably proud of having our efforts acknowledged in this way.

Staff and pupils continue to undertake Microsoft qualifications, with staff gaining accreditation as Microsoft Certified Educators and Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts, and pupils earning Microsoft Office Specialist status.