EdTech demonstrator schools and colleges: about the programme
Updated 4 May 2022
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/edtech-demonstrator-schools-and-colleges-successful-applicants/about-the-programme
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 were a network of providers who showed they could use technology effectively and had the capacity to help other schools and colleges to do the same.
In the 2021 to 2022 academic year, the network continued to support schools and colleges with remote education when needed, and with the use of technology for:
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recovery- showing how technology could 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
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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
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school and college improvement plans - ensuring that the adoption of technology supported the wider aims of the school or college
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school and college resource management - ensuring that the adoption of technology provided 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
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an accessible and inclusive curriculum - ensuring that the adoption of technology included 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 was tailored to the needs of each school and college and was underpinned by a diagnostic tool to be used at the start and end of the training.
There were 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 would and would not make an impact
The role of the Department for Education’s (DfE’s) delivery partner
Following an open tender process, United Church Schools Trust (UCST – trade name United Learning) was 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 were 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 depended on the number and type of schools they supported as well as the type, level and intensity of the support they offered.
The programme was not designed to support schools to buy new IT infrastructure or to pay for marketing materials.
How DfE reviewed the effectiveness of the programme
An interim and final evaluation of the programme has been 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) were invited into phase 2 of the programme to strengthen the evidence base. During May and early June 2022, they delivered 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.