Unity Schools Partnership is delighted to announce that two of our schools have been appointed to support other schools in using educational technology.

Thomas Gainsborough School and Coupals Primary Academy submitted a joint bid and were chosen as ‘EdTech Demonstrator’ schools by the Department for Education.

The status means the two schools, under the banner Unity EdTech, will provide advice to peers who need support with technology and those with the most disadvantaged learners.

Chris Ryall, Deputy Headteacher at Thomas Gainsborough School, said: “Both TGS and Coupals are delighted to have achieved the status of EdTech Demonstrator.

“We believe that the best use of education technology is to have students at the heart supported by trained practitioners and we look forward to supporting and developing staff expertise, both within and outside the Trust, to create a real legacy.”

Although Unity submitted its original bid in December, the programme has been “refocused” in light of the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent need for online learning.

Mr Ryall added: “The crisis has made it even more important to support staff in providing effective learning at home.

“Schools are all in different places in terms of levels of confidence in IT but I think they have all faced challenges and are now developing their own bespoke practices.”

David Maguire, Headteacher at Coupals Primary Academy, said: “Our main focus will be initially supporting those schools that don’t have the systems in place for remote learning.

“Both Coupals and TGS feel there is a real benefit to education technology and the crisis has placed an even greater emphasis on this.

“We are also looking forward to working with other demonstrators to improve our own knowledge even further.”

In total, 20 new ‘EdTech Demonstrator’ schools have been chosen by the Department of Education with the network offering packages of support including guidance, online tutorials, webinars and recorded content.

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Web links

• View the full list of successful applicants
• Find out more about Unity EdTech