Our experience of working towards the Digital Schools Award was extremely positive and valuable for our whole school community. The process gave us an opportunity to reflect carefully on our digital journey, recognise how far we had already come, and identify clear areas where we could continue to develop.
What we particularly valued was that the award process was not simply about the technology or devices we have in school. It encouraged us to think much more deeply about how digital technology is embedded within learning and teaching, how confident our staff and learners are in using it, and how it can support inclusion, creativity and pupil independence.
Preparing for validation was a very worthwhile process in itself. It brought together evidence from across the school and gave staff and pupils an opportunity to talk about their experiences of digital learning. Our pupils were particularly proud to share their knowledge and demonstrate how they use technology as part of their everyday learning.
The validation visit was supportive, professional and encouraging. It felt much more like a professional dialogue about our school’s digital journey than an inspection. We were able to celebrate the areas in which we are doing well while also receiving useful feedback about how we can continue to move forward.
Achieving the Digital Schools Award was a fantastic recognition of the work of our staff and pupils, but the greatest value has been the process itself. It has helped us to evaluate our practice, celebrate our progress and maintain momentum for the next stage of our digital journey. I would definitely recommend the Digital Schools Award process to other schools.