Clonaslee College has been recognised with the prestigious European ‘Digital School’ status for their outstanding contributions in digital teaching and learning.
Supported by global technology giants HP and AMD, along with government and education partners, the Digital Schools Award Europe aims to promote digital teaching and learning and equip pupils with advanced digital skills.
To achieve the award, schools must demonstrate a whole school digital strategy, evidence of how digital technology enhances learning, and a commitment to ongoing teacher professional development.
The programme has already highlighted innovative and collaborative approaches to integrating digital technology in teaching and learning, inspiring other schools to follow suit.
This award is a testament to Clonaslee College’s commitment to providing students with a cutting-edge education and equipping them with advanced digital skills.
Ciarán Todd, IT/Digital Technology co-ordinator at Clonaslee College, said: “We are proud to have achieved this award.
“The Digital School Awards programme has given us valuable tools, structure and supports to help us further enhance the digital and learning in our school.
“It is great to get recognition for the tremendous work that we are doing to incorporate digital technologies into our teaching and learning and to ensure that our students are ready to take on an increasingly digitalised world.”
At the awards ceremony held at Banagher College, County Offaly, nine secondary schools in the Laois Offaly Education and Training Board received their award.
These schools took part in a new initiative called the SELFIE Digital Schools Academy, which aims to support sustainable digital education practices in European schools.
The academy provides schools that have completed the European SELFIE self-reflection tool with digital education mentor support and professional development resources, focusing on themes such as leadership, collaboration, infrastructure, professional development, teaching and learning, assessment, student digital competences, STEAM education, and remote learning.
LOETB Director of Schools, Linda Tynan, described the Digital Schools Awards as having been ‘very beneficial for our schools’.
She said: “I’m really delighted that we’ve been able to support an initiative like this, where the digital innovation of our staff and students is formally recognised; it’s very gratifying to see that all our schools have been so successful within the Digital Schools Awards programme.”
