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Tech savvy pupils celebrating prestigious first Digital Wellbeing Award in the country

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Tech savvy pupils celebrating prestigious first Digital Wellbeing Award in the country Pupils and staff from 11 primary schools across the McLaren Learning Community have become the first school cluster in Scotland to attain the Digital Schools Wellbeing Award through joint work. The McLaren Learning Community is the first learning cluster in Scotland to receive the Digital Wellbeing Award as a group. All schools in the local area have worked closely together to share key digital literacy skills to stay safe online and enhance their capacity to use technology as part of classroom learning. This follows earlier success in the year where Deanston Primary School became the first in the Stirling Council area to receive all three Digital Schools Awards. The 11 schools in the McLaren Learning Community are: Aberfoyle Primary Callander Primary Crianlarich Primary Doune Primary Deanston Primary Gartmore Primary Kincardine-in-Menteith Primary Killin Primary Port of Menteith Primary Strathyre Primary Thornhill Primary A spokesperson for the McLaren Learning Community said: “The McLaren Learning Community are delighted to be the first Learning Community in Scotland to be awarded the Cluster Digital Wellbeing Award. All of the Primary Schools across McLaren have worked closely together to plan and implement a programme of Cyber Resilience and Internet Safety. “On behalf of the team, we’d like to thank the pupil Digital Leaders in each school for the work that they have done in leading their school approach and also to all the staff involved across the Learning Community. We are confident this will ensure that every child in our Learning Community has the same excellent experience of Digital Wellbeing as they navigate the ever-evolving Digital World.” The Digital Schools Awards programme which is backed by global tech companies, HP and AMD has seen remarkable uptake across Scotland, with nearly full participation of secondary schools and 85% of primary schools registered. The programme encourages excellence in digital learning and supports schools, teachers, and learners in optimising the use of digital technology in classrooms. ‘Setting an example’ Social Work and Education Convener, Cllr Danny Gibson said: “The schools within the McLaren Learning Community should be incredibly proud of this achievement and for setting an example for the rest of the country on how collaborative working can strengthen digital learning across our schools. “Technology is now an essential part of our daily lives, so it’s vital that efforts are made to ensure that our young people are equipped to navigate a constantly evolving digital landscape. The cluster initiative involving these 11 schools is a highly encouraging sign that we are delivering progress in this key area across  Stirling.” Anna Doody from Digital Schools Awards said: “This is a great example in collaboration which saw neighbouring schools work closely together to better prepare pupils for the digital world.  The ability to pull resources, collaborate on ideas and provide guidance to each other only offers another level of support to learners and we are delighted to celebrate and recognise these schools for their excellent work through this special cluster award.” To achieve the Digital Schools Wellbeing Award, schools are required to show the presence of a whole-school digital strategy, evidence of how technology is enhancing learning, encouraging safe, responsible and productive use of digital tools and a commitment to ongoing professional learning for teachers.

Digital Learning Through Play Award in ELC

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This information session is for ELC practitioners working across a range of ELC settings in Scotland to find out about the exciting Digital Learning Through Play Award in ELC.

The Digital Learning Through Play Award in ELC for Scotland is a national award scheme to promote, recognise and encourage a whole setting approach to the use of digital technology in ELC settings.

This award has been designed to support ELC settings to integrate digital technologies into children’s play and learning experiences, both outside and indoors and recognise and celebrate where this is already happening.

Each ELC setting’s award journey will be unique and tell its own story specific to the interests and needs of the children, available resources, infrastructure and the diverse components of the wider setting including; the staff team, parents and carers and community partners.

Are you ready to go on your digital journey and tell your settings story? View the webinar to find out more.

How Carnwath Primary Became Scotland’s Digital Learning Trailblazer

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We’re delighted to welcome Sharon Alexander, Principal Teacher at Carnwath Primary School -the first school in Scotland to achieve all four prestigious digital accolades:

  • Digital Schools Award Primary
  • Digital Schools Award Europe
  • Digital Wellbeing
  • Equitable Creative Coding Award

Discover the innovative strategies and practical approaches that have made Carnwath Primary a leader in digital learning and teaching. Sharon shares real insights, challenges, and success stories to help you elevate digital education in your own school.

Invergowrie Nursery Celebrates Achievement of all Three Digital Schools Awards

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Invergowrie Nursery Class proudly announces its achievement in gaining three Digital Schools Awards:  The Digital Learning Through Play Award in Early Learning, Equitable Creative Coding Award and Digital Wellbeing Award.  The nursery are thrilled to be the first setting to receive all three awards together. The Digital Learning Through Play Award in Early Learning recognises and celebrates the impressive digital journey that the setting has been on.  The award report highlighted that digital learning is embedded throughout the setting and is very much co-led with the children.  At Invergowrie Nursery, unplugged learning and digital technology are used to support quality learning through play which inspires children and families to access the benefits of digital learning.  The use of technology helps instil a sense of community and is part of the nursery culture. The Equitable Creative Coding Award (ECCo), recognises the innovative and inclusive approaches to computational thinking and coding.  Invergowrie Nursery have invested in digital technologies to motivate and inspire, equipping children with essential skills for life and work.   This has encouraged children to be curious and explore different things.  There is a clear desire to lead in the embedding of film and screen across early level and support Education Scotland’s commitment to this part of the expressive arts curriculum. The Digital Wellbeing Award highlights that digital wellbeing is integrated into the vision and development work of the setting.  The nursery inspires safe and responsible behaviour and shares helpful advice and support for parents and carers on e-safety.  There is a strong engagement with parents and carers and this work helps parents feel empowered to support their children in safe online practices at home. Linda McGavin Senior Early Childhood Practitioner at Invergowrie Nursery Class said: “We are delighted to have achieved all three digital awards.  This recognition holds significant importance for our Nursery and reaffirms our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement in digital learning. We aim to empower children to explore, create, and innovate in an increasingly digital world”. “We are grateful for the support of initiatives like the Digital Schools Awards in promoting digital learning in our settings.”

Deanston Primary is thrilled to achieve a triple digital milestone.

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“Receiving the Digital Safety Award, ECCO Award, and re-validating our Digital School status underscores our commitment to embedding digital literacy throughout our curriculum. Mrs. Ashworth’s dedication has been instrumental in empowering our learners and staff to thrive in the evolving digital landscape.” Headteacher Matthew Hurding.  

Greenock primary is first in Inverclyde to achieve award

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Whinhill Primary is the the first school in Inverclyde to receive a Digital Wellbeing award and a Digital Schools endorsement.  The accolades recognise the pupils’ cyber resilience and internet safety and reflect the work they’ve put in over recent months to embrace new ways of learning.  Ilona Dickson, P1 teacher and the school’s ICT co-ordinator said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded the Digital Wellbeing Award and Digital Schools Endorsement after our successful validation meeting.  “Our staff and pupils have worked hard over the last few years on our journey to enhance our technologies curriculum, ensuring that we provide our pupils with the skills and knowledge that they need for learning, life and work.  “We are very proud of our group of pupils that spoke very confidently to the validator about all the work and development that we have done.”

School praised for high standard of digital education

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A North Ayrshire high school has become the first secondary in Scotland to receive a prestigious accolade for digital education.  St Matthew’s Academy, Saltcoats, has achieved the Digital Schools Endorsement Award.  The Digital Schools Awards (DSA) is a national awards scheme that promotes, recognises and encourages a whole-school approach to the use of digital technology. St Matthew’s has achieved the Endorsement Award in recognition of projects in the school.  Headteacher Stephen Colligan said: “We are delighted to be the first secondary school in Scotland to achieve this and it is testament to the wonderful work being done across the whole school – by both teaching staff and the students themselves.  “We know the importance of digital technology in education today and we are committed to preparing our pupils for further education, training and work by ensuring they have all the tools, knowledge and experience they need to thrive.”  

Mulbuie and Ferintosh Primary School pupils blaze a digital trail with new accolade.

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PUPILS at two small Ross-shire primaries are blazing a trail with their use of digital technology that bodes well for the future workforce needs of the country.  The Mulbuie and Ferintosh cluster has received the Digital Schools Award for its efforts embracing new ways of learning considered vital to keep pace with the rapidly changing demands of the workplace. Digital Schools Awards validator Dr Katharine Jewitt said the programme provides a “roadmap for schools” by providing a framework to integrate digital skills into the curriculum.  The award is assessed against five criteria – leadership and vision; use of digital technology to deliver the curriculum; school culture; professional development and resources and infrastructure.  She said: “Achieving the award helps to boost confidence and improve digital competencies in schools. A key challenge we face in Scottish schools is a decrease in learners taking computer science and digital. In Scotland, only 16 per cent taking computer science are girls, and there’s been a decline in educators.

Schools across Ayrshire receive Digital Schools Awards.

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SCHOOLS across Ayrshire are blazing a trail with their use of digital technology that bodes well for the future workforce needs of the country.  Schools came together on October 23 for the South Ayrshire Learning Festival supported by HP, AMD, Digital Schools Awards and Clickview.  The festival was held at Ayr Academy, and 57 schools received the Digital Schools Award for their efforts embracing new ways of learning.  Dr Katharine Jewitt, Digital Schools Awards validator and keynote speaker at the event, said the programme provides a framework to integrate digital skills into the curriculum. The award is assessed against five criteria – leadership and vision, use of digital technology to deliver the curriculum, school culture, professional development and resources and infrastructure.  She said: “Achieving the award helps to boost confidence and improve digital competencies in schools. “A key challenge we face in Scottish schools is a decrease in learners taking computer science and digital.  “In Scotland, only 16 per cent taking computer science are girls, and there’s been a decline in educators.  “The Digital Schools Awards provides a credible solution to addressing the national issues of digital skills shortages.”

Sanquhar school praised for digital work.

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SANQUHAR Primary is blazing a trail for the future workforce with its use of digital technology.  The nursery’s commitment to embracing digital technology and inspiring youngsters has earned it a “Digital Learning Through Play in Early Learning and Childcare Award”. It follows in the footsteps of the school which received its Digital Schools Award in June 2024 – becoming the first nursery and school in the region to have both. Kelly Hubbard, early years practitioner digital lead, said it had benefited both staff and children. She said: “We’ve moved from doing all paperwork by hand to doing it digitally and it is so much faster and easier. Staff have become more confident using different programmes to support our children’s learning.” Colleague Levi Sharpe added: “Digital and technology is a massive part of life these days and everything seems to be moving towards digital. We’ve watched the children’s confidence grow from first being introduced to digital and not knowing how to use it to some of them even now showing their peers what to do, it’s been a really positive and successful experience.”Meanwhile, Digital Schools Awards validator Dr Katharine Jewitt praised their work, saying: “Sanquhar ELC and Primary School are inspiring examples of settings applying new ways of learning that motivate children and empower them to achieve more.“Sanquhar has showcased using three domains of knowledge – content, pedagogy and technological to set up learning that exploits technology to promote active, engaged and productive learning. We celebrate and support the work they do every day!”

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