Digital Schoolhouse - News , Uncategorized

The Playful Computing Conference 2026

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 09:55:45 +0000

Computing: Recharged

Digital Schoolhouse are delighted to announce the return of the Playful Computing Conference in 2026, taking place at the University of Westminster, Harrow Campus on Friday 26th June.

Buy tickets now - just £20

Be Playful

Teaching with technology should feel like opening a fresh box of possibilities.

At the Playful Computing Conference 2026, we’re stripping away the clutter and the stress to help you rebuild your classroom toolkit from the circuit boards up.

Choose your own track

Decide your own schedule by mixing and matching sessions from our four core themes:

Digital Creativity - Beyond the screen. Explore how to use code and tech as a medium for art, music, and expression.

Career Pathways - Connecting the classroom to the "Real World." Helping students see where computing can take them.

Cost-Free Computing - High-impact teaching with a low-impact budget. Resourceful ways to teach tech without breaking the bank.

Responsible Computing - Building a better future. Navigate ethics, AI, and pupil safety in a rapidly shifting digital landscape.

Expert Insights

Get the inside track from the people shaping the digital world. We’ve assembled experts from Raspberry Pi, The V&A Museum, Epic Games, Digital Schoolhouse, and The University of Westminster (with many more still to be added).

Whether it’s connecting classroom code to the future of creative industries or grabbing battle-tested insights from top educators, you’ll leave with the blueprints to inspire the next generation of creators.

For the price of one decent Ethernet cable (just £20), you get a full day of expert-led talks, hands-on workshops, and a recharged outlook on your career and teaching. No preparation required - just bring your curiosity.

Book now via Eventbrite

Festival of Play 2026: 5 years, 5 cities

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:48:20 +0000

Five Years, Five Cities: Digital Schoolhouse and Electronic Arts Launch Biggest UK Festival of Play

Digital Schoolhouse's Festival of Play, the exciting, creative computing conference for students aged 9-14, celebrates its 5^th year by heading to 5 locations across the UK. In association with Electronic Arts, the Festival returns this summer with a jam-packed schedule of interactive workshops, inspiring talks, and innovative games, all showcasing the diverse range of careers that can be available in the video games industry.

The Festival of Play will be held in:

· Abertay University, Dundee on 10 June

· Stranmillis University College, Belfast on 18 June

· Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, Rhos-on-Sea on 30 June

· North Liverpool Academy, Liverpool on 2 July

· University of Westminster, Marylebone Campus, London on 7 July

These events will provide young learners with invaluable insights into the world of video game development. Students will have the opportunity to:

· Learn about the technology behind video games.

· Meet and hear from industry professionals.

· Explore how their interests align with exciting STEAM careers.

· Gain hands-on experience with creative tools and technologies.

Proven success:

Previous Festivals of Play have demonstrated significant impact:

· 90% of Teachers said they had learnt more about Computing and its application within Video Games.

· 80% of Teachers said the event had positively impacted their teaching.

· 56% of Students expressed interest in pursuing a career in video games.

Come and find out up close why the future of learning is play - Schools can book their place to take part below:

Book your place today

Become a Digital Schoolhouse

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 14:58:43 +0000

Join the Mission: Applications Open for Digital Schoolhouse 2026/27

We're delighted to open up applications to become a Digital Schoolhouse for the academic year 2026/27.

It’s a great time to join our community. Last year alone, we helped over 46,000 students learn career-ready skills, unlock their digital creativity, and develop their computational thinking. Now, we are looking for the next generation of schools to help us reach our goal: For every child in the UK to have access to a Digital Schoolhouse by 2030.

Why join the network?

We want to hear from you if you are a school looking to reach beyond its classrooms, a teacher who wants to use play-based learning to teach computing, or an educator seeking to join a vibrant community of like-minded colleagues.

Becoming a Digital Schoolhouse also offers:

The Opportunity to Apply for a Bursary: Successful schools can apply for a bursary to support the delivery of the programme.
Professional Development: Teachers receive three dedicated training days per year to master our play-based pedagogy.
Community Impact: Elevate your school’s profile within your local community and the wider sector.

Regional Focus

We welcome applications from schools across the UK; however, to meet our 2030 goal, we are particularly keen to hear from schools in Wales, Scotland, and North & South-West England.

Deadline: Applications close on 27 March 2026.
Next Steps: Following the initial application, successful candidates will be invited to an interview to discuss the partnership further.

Every child deserves a digital future - be part of the network that delivers it.

Apply Now

Education Mixer at City Hall

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 12:04:28 +0000

Following the success of last year's event, we are delighted to announce the return of the Ukie Games Industry and Education Mixer this January.

This unique event is connects leading games industry figures, policy makes and educators allowing them to collaborate and spark innovation across the education and video games sectors.

The event hold even more importance this year as UK education is undergoing significant change. With the recently published Curriculum Review and the active reshaping of Computing education across the country, there has never been a more crucial time for industry and educators to come together.

The evening will be dedicated to meaningful cross-sector dialogue, collaboration, and mutual understanding and is the perfect place for you to have your opinion heard and and help forge the future of Digital Creativity in the UK.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday 20th January 2026

Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Drinks and refreshments provided)

Location: London City Hall, Kamal Crunchie Way, London. E16 1ZE

Button

Digital Schoolhouse launches Mission 2030

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 11:54:25 +0000

Only 21% of pupils who took Computer Science at GCSE in 2023 were girls.

3.7 million families with children fall below the Minimum Digital Living Standard.

5 million workers will be under-skilled in basic digital capabilities by 2030.

Poverty is a key predictor for both digital access and skills.

Things cannot stay the same.

At Digital Schoolhouse, we want you to join us to make the change.

Today, we are proud to announce our new Mission, which will help us to ensure every child has access to the career-ready skills, creative confidence and computational thinking they need in a digital future.

After eleven incredible years, 77% of schools in the United Kingdom are within 50km of a Digital Schoolhouse, meaning they have access to all of our workshops and events.

But we need to do more.

So here is our aim:

By 2030 Every Child In Britain will have access to a Digital Schoolhouse.

And to achieve that we need your support - we need more businesses to partner with us to go further and faster than we ever have before.

If you want to help us ensure that Every Child has a Digital Future, get in touch with us here:

Join Us On Mission 2030

Today marks a new beginning, and a future where no child is digitally left behind.

#DSHmission2030

DSH x ClassVR workshops now available

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 15:02:55 +0000

Digital Schoolhouse's free VR workshops with ClassVR are now open for booking by UK schools 🎉

We are delighted to be able to offer free ClassVR Virtual Reality for the Classroom workshops via our schoolhouses now!

We have two new workshops up on our site using ClassVR to deliver bespoke VR Moon Landing and Crazy Graphics workshops for KS2, KS3 and KS4 students.

This gives the opportunity to learn using the newest digital tools to children nationwide.

Teachers can contact their local Schoolhouse and arrange to get immersive educational experiences in the heart of their classrooms.

Every child deserves the same opportunities to engage with the latest the digital world has to offer, and together with ClassVR Virtual Reality for the Classroom we are helping to make that happen.

I'm a School who wants to book a workshop

Take me to free teaching resources

Festival of Play 2025 - Dundee, Belfast, London

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 12:54:20 +0000

Digital Schoolhouse have been up and down the land, bringing Playful Computing to hundreds of pupils in multiple countries.

Over 650 pupils, 77 teachers and 26 schools attended, and it has been a joy to see games companies and educators come together and provide fun learning experiences and STEAM career advice to a new generation of tech wizards!

Not only were children welcomed into lessons on game design, Computer Science, and Digital Creativity, the festivals also had brilliant keynote speakers provided by our partner Electronic Arts, who told the children all about their journey into working in video games and what helped them along the way.

Alexander Horowitz, Creative Craft Director at Electronic Arts studio Criterion Games, spoke about how young people can use curiosity, passion and courage to turn creative skills into careers.

Amy Pejic, Director of Studio Operations at Criterion Games, an Electronic Arts studio, spoke about how her daydreaming and chattiness as a child became key skills in her games career.

Pupils were offered a huge range of workshops throughout the Festivals, getting their hands-on with "Formula 1 Recycled Racers," where they learned about algorithms by building and racing balloon-powered cars. We also demystified the world of AI in "How Do Computers Learn?" from Machine Learning for Kids, exploring how computers use data to recognize patterns, and sparked creativity with "Private Joke ®: Future-Ready Fun," challenging pupils to invent new words and concepts. Throughout the day, participants honed various skills: aspiring broadcasters learned the art of "Creating Commentary," from esports commentator BOWIEtheHERO, while future game designers tackled the "Game Design Challenge," with mayamada, using everyday items to prototype their own tabletop games. Paul Curzon unveiled "The Magic of Computer Science," revealing the surprising connections between programming and magic tricks.

Beyond the workshops, the Exhibitor Area was a huge hit, offering a unique chance to meet video game professionals and try out a variety of family-friendly games from Newfangled Games, Fireshine and NinjaKiwi among others. The pupils each had a "How Do You Do?" card, which they used to ask industry professionals about careers, creativity and video game development.

A huge thank you to our venues, Abertay University, Stranmillis University College and the University of Westminster for hosting, to Electronic Arts for their amazing support and to all of our video game industry friends and colleagues who ran sessions and exhibited.

Next year marks five years of the Festival of Play, I wonder if we’ll be cooking up something special for that… stay tuned…

The Playful Classroom: The Future of Learning is Play

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 14:24:29 +0000

Each month, Digital Schoolhouse welcomes you to The Playful Classroom,
where we'll explore the challenges and opportunities shaping computing education today.

"…one of the most powerful tools we have to boost children’s physical activity, wellbeing, confidence and creativity is being overlooked: play."

These inspiring words from Paul Lindley OBE, Chair of the Raising the Nation Play Commission, perfectly encapsulate a profound truth we champion every day at Digital Schoolhouse. Play isn't just for the playground; it's a dynamic force that can transform our classrooms.

We understand that introducing new approaches can sometimes feel like an uphill climb, especially when challenging traditional perceptions of rigorous academics. Yet, at Digital Schoolhouse, we've seen firsthand how infusing lessons with fun and playfulness unlocks incredible potential. Thanks to our passionate, creative, and open-minded Lead Teachers, we consistently demonstrate that joy and learning are not just compatible, but powerful partners.

Bridging the Gap: Playful Learning in Action

This is precisely where Digital Schoolhouse shines. For the past ten years, we've been dedicated to demonstrating how play can be seamlessly woven into the school curriculum and holistic teaching approaches. We take this commitment even further by embedding a play-based learning approach directly into our teacher training. This empowers educators with the confidence and tools to use these transformative methods in their own teaching, creating vibrant and engaging learning environments.

Conferences Reimagined: Engaging Experiences for Educators

As we celebrate our summer season of events, reflecting on the inspiring Festival of Play events in Dundee and Belfast, and eagerly anticipating our upcoming Playful Computing Conference and the final Festival of Play in London, it's clear this is more than just "conference season." We're delivering four unique events in four weeks—three engaging days for students and a three-day residential experience designed exclusively for teachers.

What truly sets these experiences apart from traditional tech conferences? Our unwavering belief that these aren't just events; they are immersive, fun, and playful experiences designed to inspire and educate.

It's vital to recognise that learning through play isn't something we outgrow. While traditional systems may sometimes suppress this natural inclination, as the "Everything to Play For" report highlights, it remains a powerful pathway to discovery. When we integrate play-based learning with adults, we observe the same remarkable impacts: boosted confidence, enhanced engagement, profound understanding, stronger social connections, and so much more.

This is a Heading

At our upcoming Playful Computing Conference, educators won't just be passive attendees. They'll be actively remixing games, collaborating with box monsters, solving engaging puzzles, crafting imaginative stories, and exploring cutting-edge technologies like VR. We intentionally build in unstructured social time – moments for genuine play and connection, however, they choose to engage. You might just see a lively Mario Kart tournament among teachers or an impromptu karaoke session, enjoying the beautiful grounds of the University of Westminster.

Will they learn anything? Absolutely. They'll gain invaluable insights from our incredible expert speakers, but just as importantly, they'll learn from each other. They'll forge meaningful connections, find supportive colleagues who understand the dynamic landscape of education today, and meet people with whom they can exchange ideas and refine approaches. We provide the freedom and stimulation that creative minds thrive on. Our teachers are truly remarkable, and sometimes all they need is the dedicated time and space to think, reflect, and connect.

Our Festival of Play embodies this same playful philosophy. Our students (and their accompanying teachers) will experience a captivating magic show that illuminates computer science principles, develop a unique paper-based yet digital game, share engaging stories, get hands-on with exciting new technologies, and connect with both their peers and industry professionals. Imagine a tech conference that's everything you've ever wished for: a place that's genuinely fun, deeply engaging, and rich with memorable connections and experiences.

The Answer is Clear: Let's Play.

Can we truly bridge the gap between playful experiences and rigorous classroom learning? Without a doubt, we can. At Digital Schoolhouse, we demonstrate this powerful synergy every single day. We invite you to experience it for yourself – join us at the Playful Computing Conference and discover the transformative power of play.

The Playful Classroom: My Curriculum Journey

Fri, 09 May 2025 12:28:25 +0000

Each month, Digital Schoolhouse welcomes you to The Playful Classroom,
where we'll explore the challenges and opportunities shaping computing education today.

I qualified as a teacher in 1999 so remember when the ‘old ICT’ curriculum was still brand new and recently introduced.

I actively hunted for examples of people doing things differently. Ways to get our students to reconnect with the subject and enjoy it, especially those at GCSE and A-Level. It connected me with Prof. Paul Curzon from Queen Mary University of London and for the first time I discovered how you can use magic to teach computer science. The work of Professor Tim Bell from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand helped me to not just learn encryption techniques but also how I can use a chocolate bar and a locked box to explain it in extremely simple terms to my students.

My research led me to connect with a group of individuals that later became known as the subject association called Computing At School (CAS). Led by Simon Peyton-Jones and Simon Humphreys the group sat down together to answer the very aspirational question “If the DfE introduced Computer Science onto the school curriculum tomorrow, what should that curriculum contain?”. That work became a somewhat extensive Body of Knowledge document. Which then became one of my source materials for completely revamping my own school curriculum again. By 2011 my school was delivering a Key Stage 3 computing curriculum that integrated the principles of computer science, digital skills and digital creativity.

My next challenge was to work out how we can apply the same innovation to Key Stage 3 assessment techniques. But then motherhood happened, and I went on maternity leave.

By the time I returned, industry had joined the campaign for curriculum reform and Ukie had released the NextGen Skills report. The government listened, and announced it was disbanding the ICT curriculum, leaving everyone free to experiment before a new Computing Curriculum was released.

People reacted to this news in different ways. Some like me, simply jumped for joy. I had free reign to continue to innovate. And for me, this innovation wasn’t just in subject content but also pedagogy. It’s when my play-based learning approach to teaching computing really began to pick up speed. Other schools reacted differently. Some teachers, buried their head in the sand, awaiting the next decision which would see a reversal of the news. And in some cases, unfortunately, IT teachers were made redundant; departments shrunk or eradicated all together.

Amongst this, another piece of work began. Writing the National Curriculum Programmes of Study. The DfE approached BCS and CAS to draft the programmes of study. I was one of the fortunate individuals that formed part of the working group that came together to draft the Programmes of Study. It wasn’t an easy task, and there was plenty of debate. But fundamentally what stuck was a focus on the key underlying discipline of Computer Science, something that was more timeless than the passing trends of technology. If I was able to go back, what would I change? I’d have fought harder for the Programmes of Study to include a greater emphasis on the Digital Creativity aspects of the subject. I lost this argument at the time though, mostly I think because there was a need to move away from anything that remotely resembled the ‘terrible ICT curriculum’ that had just been removed. Computer Science was a rigorous scientific discipline not a ‘soft subject’ that could be ignored as it was previously, it was essential to our future, and we needed everyone to recognise that. We needed everyone to understand the fundamentals of programming.

With the new Programmes of Study finally launched in 2014, it was time for the next problem to be tackled. Over two thirds of the teachers still teaching the subject didn’t have the subject knowledge required to do so. So, a concerted effort of upskilling a nation of teachers began. It was in this space that Ukie was awarded grant funding by the GLA’s Mayor of London’s Schools Excellence Fund. During Boris Johnson’s time as Mayor of London, he released funding that enabled Ukie to employ me and create the Digital Schoolhouse programme.

Having full creative freedom over the development of a model was fun, exciting, challenging and refreshing. I had free reign to take stock of all the academic expertise and my own practitioner research. It gave me time to dive deeper into what had worked whilst I was teaching and why. It is during these early years that I wrote my book with Ian Livingstone, “Creative Computing and the Power of Play” and within it for the first time set down what a play-based learning approach to teaching the computing curriculum looks like.

I developed our workshop resources; “Get with the Algo-rhythm” later followed by “Just Dance with the Algorithm” which both set out to show how you can use dancing to teach algorithms and programming. Resources like “Surprise Stories” taught programming through storytelling; and workshops such as “Beautiful Numbers” and “Crazy Graphics” combined mathematics, art and computer science into one wholistic approach. Through my next book “How to Raise a Tech Genius” I took our playful unplugged activities and made them accessible for parents. Whether its teaching sorting algorithms by organising your sock drawer, story time before bed, tackling a jigsaw puzzle together as a family or learning about processing paradigms through cooking the evening meal. The book set out to help parents use everyday activities to learn computer science concepts together with their children.

Today, Digital Schoolhouse is known for its creative and innovative computing curriculum. A curriculum which combines cross-curricular subject knowledge with real world problems, contexutalised careers guidance and fun narratives to engage students with computer science, digital skills and digital creativity. Students develop not only a love of the subject but also through our play-based learning methods gain a deep understanding far more quickly. We spark creativity and innovation, provide a sense of excitement, sprinkled with playful enthusiasm through our work and curriculum delivery.

Additional challenges impact teachers globally in today’s world. Some schools don’t have reliable internet access, others do not have a full set of devices, if they have any at all. In this varying climate how can we ensure equal access to high-quality provision for students everywhere, regardless of where they are born. That question is perhaps too big for us to tackle alone. But we can attempt to make a start. That’s why we teamed up with Macmillan Education to develop the “Max Computing” series. It’s a curriculum for grades 1 to 9 that enables all teachers, regardless of expertise or access to hardware to teach computer science and digital skills. It combines the best of Digital Schoolhouse delivered in a way that is accessible for everyone.

It’s been quite a journey. 11 years ago today I would have been busy teaching a lesson in my diverse Inner London secondary school using machines that were at least 3 years out of date. Today, I have the privilege of sitting in the sun with a decent laptop writing this reflection. As I steer Digital Schoolhouse towards a bright future, I try to make sure that I never lose sight of where we began and how we got here. It sheds light on just how far we still have to go.

esports Grand Final storms Sadler's Wells

Fri, 02 May 2025 08:39:08 +0000

Tuesday saw the thrilling conclusion of the Digital Schoolhouse Splatoon 3 esports tournament together with Nintendo Switch.

From 59 schools, hundreds of competitors, 9 regionals and two semi finals our final four battled it out at the Lilian Baylis theatre Sadler's Wells in London.

Teams from Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, Hinchley Wood School, Dame Allan's School and Southend High School splatted it out across the day with some ink-redible action.

After a great day's competing Hinchley Wood School came out on top as the winners of the 2025 tournament, with the incredible achievement of not dropping a set throughout the day.

A huge thank you to our partners Nintendo and Scan Computers who helped us put on the event, and if you'd like to be involved in next year's tournament keep your eyes peeled for the expression of interest form which we will be posting soon...

See you in 2026!

Reigning champions Altrincham once again made it all the way to the Grand Final

Left: Bowie The Hero and Nimmz practice their presentation for the Grand Final

Right: The team from Hinchley Wood recap the highs and lows of their previous game