EdTech demonstrator schools and colleges: about the programme
Updated 4 May 2022
© Crown copyright 2022
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/edtech-demonstrator-schools-and-colleges-successful-applicants/about-the-programme
Get support
Schools and colleges who want to access support can register their interest on the EdTech demonstrator schools and colleges website for more information.
The first phase of the programme ran from April 2020 to March 2021. Details about this phase of the programme are available from the National Archives.
The role of demonstrator schools and colleges during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Demonstrator schools and colleges are a network of providers who have shown they can use technology effectively and have the capacity to help other schools and colleges to do the same.
In 2021 to 2022, the network will continue to support schools and colleges with remote education when it’s needed, and with the use of technology for:
-
recovery- showing how technology can bolster pupil and student progress and outcomes, and support catch up and recovery activities; for example through online and in-person teaching and tutoring, development of independent and individualised learning, and supporting high-quality assessment and feedback
-
reducing workload - using technology to remove unnecessary tasks, support more flexible teaching practices, improve access to excellent curriculum resources, communicate more quickly and easily, and develop professional links
-
school and college improvement plans - ensuring that the adoption of technology supports the wider aims of the school or college
-
school and college resource management - ensuring that the adoption of technology provides the best value for money for their existing resources, for example through cloud-based education platforms and management information systems, and making informed procurement decisions
-
an accessible and inclusive curriculum - ensuring that the adoption of technology includes a strong focus on improving access for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and removing barriers to the effective use of assistive technology
Support is tailored to the needs of each school and college and will be underpinned by a diagnostic tool to be used at the start and end of the training.
There are 3 tiers of support available to schools and colleges:
- light touch support (c.6 hours of training delivered over a term) - for example, those schools and colleges requiring rapid support on remote education, catch-up and recovery provision
- medium touch term support (c.15 hours of training delivered over the academic year) - for example, identifying one or two areas where technology can be adopted and have maximum impact for teachers and pupils
- long-term support (c.30 hours of training delivered over the academic year) - for example, working with schools and colleges to develop a sustainable digital strategy, embedding technology - particularly digital platforms and devices - as part of a wider change programme, and recognising where technology will and will not make an impact
The role of the Department for Education (DfE)’s delivery partner
Following an open tender process, United Church Schools Trust (UCST – trade name United Learning) is the Delivery Partner for Phase 2 of the EdTech Demonstrator Programme.
UCST has a national presence with extensive knowledge and experience in the education sector and first-hand experience of the challenges of achieving sustained change through technology.
UCST has a strong track record of school improvement across a diverse range of settings, from academies working in the hardest-to-reach communities to some of the highest performing independent schools in the country, along with their use of embedded networks at all levels that has proven integral in managing both day-to-day operations and delivering school improvement across this varied landscape.
How demonstrator schools and colleges were selected
Demonstrator schools and colleges are state-funded schools and further education providers in England offering primary, secondary and or 16 to 19 education with an overall Ofsted rating of good or outstanding. During the selection process, they also needed to satisfy DfE that they had good financial controls and financial reserves.
The successful EdTech demonstrator school and college applicants from the first funding round were announced in April 2020. DfE ran a further funding round in April to invite further applicants to express an interest in becoming demonstrator schools and colleges and these were announced in June 2020.
All demonstrator schools and colleges from the first year of the programme were asked whether they wished to continue for a second year, and if so, what support they could provide.
Read the list of EdTech demonstrators. Previous versions of the list are available on the UK Government Web Archive.
Allocation of funding
| Financial year | Allocation for each demonstrator school or college |
|---|---|
| 2022 to 2023 | between £5,000 and £60,000 |
| 2021 to 2022 | between £19,000 and £200,000 |
| 2020 to 2021 | between £70,000 and £150,000 |
The amount of funding awarded to demonstrator schools and colleges depends on the number and type of schools they will support as well as the type, level and intensity of the support they will offer.
The programme is not designed to support schools to buy new IT infrastructure or to pay for marketing materials.
How DfE will review the effectiveness of the programme
An interim and final evaluation of the programme will be carried out by Impact Ed.
UCST will assess demonstrator schools and colleges’ progress against their activity plans and manage performance and reporting arrangements.
Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) have been invited into phase 2 of the programme to strengthen the evidence base. During May and early June, they will be delivering a series of short training sessions to the Demonstrators on how to embed a change model in schools/colleges, using their existing Using digital technology to improve learning report.
More information
More information about the programme is available from the EdTech demonstrator schools and colleges website.
Get help with remote education offers information, guidance and support for teachers and leaders on educating pupils and students who are learning remotely.
Get help with technology offers guidance for schools and colleges on how to get internet access, digital platforms, digital devices and support to provide remote education.