PUPILS at two small Ross-shire primaries are blazing a trail with their use of digital technology that bodes well for the future workforce needs of the country.  The Mulbuie and Ferintosh cluster has received the Digital Schools Award for its efforts embracing new ways of learning considered vital to keep pace with the rapidly changing demands of the workplace.

Digital Schools Awards validator Dr Katharine Jewitt said the programme provides a “roadmap for schools” by providing a framework to integrate digital skills into the curriculum.  The award is assessed against five criteria – leadership and vision; use of digital technology to deliver the curriculum; school culture; professional development and resources and infrastructure.  She said: “Achieving the award helps to boost confidence and improve digital competencies in schools. A key challenge we face in Scottish schools is a decrease in learners taking computer science and digital. In Scotland, only 16 per cent taking computer science are girls, and there’s been a decline in educators.