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Catrine Early Childhood Centre has secured a first in Scotland, by earning their Digital Schools Award for Early Years. The Digital Schools Award is a national award scheme designed to promote, recognise and encourage a whole centre approach to the use of digital technology. Digital Schools Award Scotland presented the ECC with their award, praising the exceptional and sector-leading work, driven forward by Depute Manager Alana Speirs, STEM Champion Sherrie Devlin and Head Teacher Judith Govans. Councillor Elaine Cowan, Spokesperson for Education and Children and Young People, was joined at Catrine ECC by Councillors Douglas Reid, Maureen McKay, Linda Holland, Alyson Simmons, Claire Leitch and William Lennox, Chief Executive Eddie Fraser and Chief Education Officer and Head of Education, Linda McAulay-Griffiths to learn more about their Early Years Digital Schools journey. Sherrie gave a fascinating presentation and held a question and answer session. She spoke of the importance of promoting STEM throughout the ECC, supporting staff to use new technologies and about the way the children have embraced technology, increasing confidence and independence. A really interesting development was the use of QR Codes around the ECC. The staff create the QR Codes, then the children can use their chrome books or i-Pads to learn independently about topics that interest them, for example they are learning more about dinosaurs at the moment. Councillor Cowan said: “I found the visit to Catrine Early Childhood Centre fascinating. We learned so much about the role of technology and what can be achieved within our ECCs with knowledge and passion. I was very pleased to hear that the parents and carers have been very supportive of the developments and that they particularly enjoy the online Learning Journals. “I was so impressed by Sherrie and Alana’s presentation but that was nothing to actually joining the children for play and learning. I played shops, did some colouring in and some very enthusiastic children taught me how to make a short film, using a green screen background. It was incredible, their confidence and skill actually took me aback. I can’t congratulate Head Teacher Judith Govans and her whole team enough. The ECC is such a positive learning environment, as was highlighted by their recent inspection by the Care Inspectorate, where they scored ‘very good’ across all four categories; the children are happy, confident and officially the best in Scotland!” Head Teacher Judith Govans said: “I am incredibly proud of the whole team at Catrine Early Childhood Centre and particularly Alana Speirs, our Depute Manager, and Sherrie Devlin, our STEM Champion – together they have worked so hard to demonstrate our Early Years Digital journey and earn our award. “They have changed perceptions of technology for our staff and parents and carers, and have led the way in Scotland in this curricular area. Thanks to their effort, Digital Schools Award Scotland will now be developing a framework specifically for Early Childhood Centres. Moving forward, we are committed to continuing our Early Years Digital Schools journey and finding new ways to challenge and create positive learning opportunities for our children, for example the children have already started learning how to code. We are also committed to supporting colleagues who wish to work towards their own Early Years Digital Award.”

Roseburn Primary School are delighted with our Digital Schools Award, and so pleased to have our digital journey positively recognised. This has inspired us to continue to reflect, refine and progress our digital strategy.  Our Award is now displayed on our achievement wall, and school website. Thank you.

Kirkcolm, Leswalt, and Portpatrick Primaries are jointly the first schools in the Dumfries and Galloway authority to be awarded the prestigious Digital Schools Award Endorsement Award.  Having previously achieved the Digital Schools Award together, we were invited to submit for this new award.  The accolade is an endorsement of the three schools continuing excellence and development in digital learning and teaching. In order to achieve the award our schools were required to evidence a continuing journey of self-reflection and development in digital learning and teaching.  There were six key criterion that had to be met; namely: Professional Learning, Learning and Teaching, Innovation, Leadership & Vision, Managing Challenges and Resources & Infrastructure Validator Malcolm Wilson of Digital Schools Award commented that: It is a privilege to have undertaken the validation process for the Kirkcolm, Leswalt and Portpatrick Partnership of schools to confirm the Endorsement Award to the Digital Schools Award. The schools demonstrated, through their continuing development of effective and varied digital learning and teaching, an understanding of what it means to be digitally literate schools. We are committed to supporting our children to be develop the skills for learning, life and work in today’s technologically advancing world.

“Our children, staff and families are very proud to have achieved the Digital Schools Awards Scotland in recognition of our digital learning journey. We are excited to share our good news with our wider community and continue to learn and grow while supporting others as a mentor school.” Ashley Walker (nee Lonie),  Quarry View Nursery, Dundee

Tayview Primary are delighted to be award the Digital Schools Award. We have worked hard to ensure that digital technology is embedded within our curriculum at Tayview. Our learners really enjoyed showcasing their digital learning experience as part of the validation process. Callum Hay, Acting Principal  Teacher, Tayview Primary School 

“Receiving our Digital Schools Endorsement award is perhaps even more exciting than achieving our original award in 2021!  This award recognises our ongoing dedication and commitment to, as well as our enthusiasm for, ensuring that the curriculum and tools offered to children within East Calder Primary School embraces the most up-to-date digital technologies effectively; develops computer science and data literacy skills in our children; and consistently supports and enhances children’s learning experiences.” Fiona Stewart, Headteacher, East Calder Primary

“Achieving the Digital Schools Award has been a hugely rewarding experience for everyone involved. Learners have developed and showcased their knowledge and skills, teachers have collaborated and benefited from the expertise of one another, and, in turn, the school has become a more digital and innovative community.” Hamish Munro Bun-sgoil Goodlyburn Goodlyburn Primary School