Academy trust supporting Worksop schools to help run new government EdTech programme

Outwood Grange Academies Trust, which sponsors more than 30 academies across the north of England, including Outwood Academy Portland and Outwood Academy Valley in Worksop, will become part of the Department for Education’s EdTech demonstrator programme which will run until the end of March next year.

Each participant in the programme, which is part of the government’s £10 million EdTech strategy, is expected to focus on supporting other schools and education providers to deliver remote learning during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as well as supporting digital capability beyond this.

The trust will receive £150,000 funding towards achieving the aims of the programme.

Tristan Kirkpatrick, Outwood’s director of computer science, said: “This is a terrific opportunity for us to not only further build our skill-set, but also to help improve the skill-sets of others.”

The trust will provide peer-to-peer support as part of the EdTech Demonstrator programme to help others develop effective use of the commonly-used online learning platforms.

The trust will be expected to reach a minimum of 40 schools or colleges with ‘direct support’ as part of the programme, and will aim to reach more with its broader resources, such as its recorded webinars and written guidance.