Top awards for Fife and Dundee schools

Rosebank and Wormit primaries lead the way in hi-tech learning

Schools from Dundee and Fife are among the first to be recognised by the Scottish Government for promoting digital learning.

Rosebank Primary in Dundee and Wormit Primary in Fife were two of the first 21 schools in Scotland to be given the award, which recognises excellence in digital technology in teaching and learning.

Recognised by Education Scotland, The Digital Schools Awards programme was launched last September with one in nine primaries in the country, some 195 schools, signing up to the commitment.

It is hoped another 200 will register to become a “Digital School” by the end of the year.

The awards ceremony, held at Wormit Primary School, saw each school presented with the accolade, with the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, Shirley-Anne Somerville, in attendance.

Ms Somerville said she hoped the schools would act as an inspiration to others to achieve the status.

She said: “Digital skills are an integral part of our everyday lives, and as such it is absolutely essential that we give young people the opportunities to understand and use them properly.

“The Digital Schools Awards Programme is a fantastic example of industry supporting education in Scotland and helping ensure our young people develop the skills and opportunities to flourish.

“Schools like Wormit Primary are right at the cutting edge and I hope that other schools will look at what’s happening here and want to create the same opportunities for their pupils.

“It is very important to recognise that technology is all around us, with over 90% of jobs requiring some form of digital skill.

“As such, it is increasingly important for children to learn and develop these skills at school.”

HP, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Intel are also providing support to the programme, with a financial commitment of £110,000 in the first year as well as the provision of practical support and resources.

Neil Sawyer, education director at HP, said: “HP believes that the technology sector has a responsibility to support schools and ensure that the next generation is equipped with the knowledge needed to close the STEM and creative skills gap, and drive the economy of tomorrow.

“Being recognised as a Digital School is a great achievement and an important milestone.

“We congratulate the 21 schools receiving awards today.”

Jenny Cunningham, head teacher of Wormit Primary, said the school was “very proud” of achieving its digital status.

Schools like Wormit primary are at the cutting edge and I hope other schools will look at what’s happening here. SHIRLEY-ANNE SOMERVILLE

Picture: Gareth Jennings. Scottish Government minister Shirley-Anne Somerville congratulates some of the pupils of Wormit Primary on winning their digital award.