Melton and Asfordby students to benefit from new technology teaching programme

Discovery Schools Academies Trust has recruited around 35 ‘Digital Champions’ to take part in a first-of-its-kind year-long development programme to create more inclusive learning environments and prepare pupils for the digital world.

The trust, which manages a number of schools across the region including Melton’s Birch Wood Area Special School and Asfordby Captain’s Close Primary School, says the PedTech scheme will equip teachers with the skills to use digital tools to promote invisible inclusion, personalise learning and increase pupil engagement.

The initiative will see the ‘Digital Champions’ working alongside Discovery's dedicated digital champion lead, Laurie Davis, who will provide hands-on coaching, mentoring and classroom support across the Trust.

Lauirie said: “Education has reached a point where we need to think differently about how children learn and how we prepare them for the future.

“Technology is not replacing great teaching - it is enhancing it. We want our classrooms to be places where every child can access learning in the way that works best for them.

“For some pupils, handwriting remains an effective way to learn. For others, it can be a significant barrier.

"Through technology, pupils can choose whether to type, handwrite digitally, dictate responses or access adapted resources, creating a more personalised and inclusive classroom experience."

Technology implemented so far includes the use of one-to-one 360-degree touchscreen devices, digital inking technology, voice-to-text software, assistive technology and adaptive learning approaches that allow pupils to demonstrate their knowledge in different ways.

Discovery has already seen positive results from the use of these additions in several schools, including increased pupil engagement, greater confidence and improved access to learning for children who had previously struggled to participate fully in lessons.

The new programme will benefit students with special educational needs as well as those in mainstream settings, according to Rosalind Hopkins, Discovery’s director of specialist provision.

Rosalind, a former executive headteacher at Birch Wood, commented: “The programme is particularly significant within our specialist schools, where technology has the power to remove barriers that can often prevent pupils from fully accessing learning.

“For some children, traditional approaches work incredibly well.

"For others, challenges with communication, handwriting, processing or engagement can mean they are unable to demonstrate their true abilities.”

She added: “What makes this programme especially exciting is that it brings together colleagues from mainstream, secondary and specialist settings to learn from one another and share expertise.

“We know that some of the most innovative practice often comes from specialist provision, while mainstream settings bring valuable scale and experience.

"By creating a community of Digital Champions across the Trust, we can accelerate learning, spread effective practice and ensure more pupils benefit from high-quality, inclusive teaching.

“Ultimately, this is about preparing young people for the world they are growing up in.

"We want every pupil, regardless of their starting point or additional needs, to have access to the tools, skills and opportunities that will help them succeed both in education and beyond.”

The programme will be rolled out to all 21 schools in the trust from next month.