Digital Schoolhouse - NewsDigital Schoolhouse - Newshttps://www.digitalschoolhouse.org.uk/newsWed, 15 Apr 2026 14:29:57 -0700http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[The Playful Classroom: Digital Creativity]]>https://www.digitalschoolhouse.org.uk/news/post/the-playful-classroom-digital-creativityDr. Doug Specht discusses the importance of digital creativity]]>

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

Shahneila Saeed speaks at a Computing Teaching Conference


Dr Doug Specht is an award-winning educator and the Head of the School of Media and Communication at the University of Westminster.

His many qualifications include Principal Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy, Chartered Teacher Status, and Advanced Teacher Status.

His research and numerous publications focus on the intersection of digital technology, environmental justice, and creative pedagogy.

Beyond the tools: Why Creative Digital Thinking is the Future of Education

When I speak to educators about digital creativity, I often start with a simple question: How many of you have created something using digital tools in the past week? Usually, every hand in the room goes up. We are all "creating" constantly, but as I argue in my recent session with Digital Schoolhouse’s Lead Teachers, Digital Creativity 101, we need to move beyond simply using software and start teaching the thinking behind the tools.


In the modern classroom, "digital" is too often treated as a synonym for "technical." We teach students how to navigate a specific programme or how to edit a video, but we risk missing the most transformative element: the ability to ask "what if?"

What Digital Creativity Actually Is

Digital creativity is not about having the "fanciest tools" or being a coding prodigy. I define it as the intersection of creative thinking and digital tools to solve problems, express ideas, and create meaning.

To truly embed this in our pedagogy, we must look at its four core pillars:

  1. Creative Thinking: The willingness to experiment, iterate, and take risks without being afraid of the "undo" button.
  2. Digital Fluency: Understanding the affordances (what a tool allows us to do) and the constraints (its limitations).
  3. Purposeful Creation: Moving away from "making for the sake of making" and towards a genuine awareness of intent, audience, and context.
  4. Problem-Finding: Developing the critical skill of identifying exactly what needs to be created to address a specific challenge.

    Why This Matters Now

    The data tells a compelling story: 92% of educators now recognise that creative literacy is essential for career readiness. In an era where technical skills can become obsolete in a matter of months, the ability to combine those skills with creative problem-solving is what makes a candidate future-proof.

    But for me, this is about more than just employability. Digital creativity is a vital tool for social justice. It empowers students to bridge representation gaps, develops their critical media literacy, and allows them to participate in social change by becoming active creators rather than passive consumers of digital content.

    A Journey Across Education

    One of the most encouraging aspects of this framework is that it isn’t limited by age or subject:

    • Primary: We begin with digital storytelling and building the confidence to communicate visually.
    • Secondary: We transition into game design and using content creation to advocate for social justice, showing students that their digital voices have real-world power.
    • Higher Education: We focus on research visualisation and professional digital publication, turning complex data into accessible, tangible ideas.

    Overcoming the "Tech-Savvy" Barrier

    The biggest obstacle I encounter isn't a lack of budget - it's a lack of confidence. Many colleagues feel they must be "tech experts" before they can teach these skills.

    I want to challenge that. Digital creativity is about thinking, not technical mastery. You don’t need to know every function of a professional editing suite to encourage a student to think about how a digital artefact can change a viewer’s perspective.


    We can start small. Use inquiry-based learning where students explore real-world problems using the collaborative tools they already have access to, such as Google Workspace or shared spaces like Figma. Focus on the creative process and the impact of the work, rather than just the final product.


    Ultimately, digital creativity is about providing our students with the "thinking space" and the agency to ask, "What could this become?" It is not a luxury; it is a necessity for pedagogy, for career readiness, and for social justice. The best part is that you don’t need a massive technology grant to begin. You can start small, this term, with the resources you already have.


    Dr. Doug Specht will be delivering his session Digital Creativity 101 at the Playful Computing Conference. Find out more about the event and buy tickets below.

    Playful Computing Conference
    ]]>    Wed, 01 Apr 2026 08:58:16 +0000    <![CDATA[The Playful Computing Conference 2026]]>https://www.digitalschoolhouse.org.uk/news/post/the-playful-computing-conference-2026Recharge how you teach with tech at the Playful Computing Conference 2026]]>

    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
    ]]>    Tue, 24 Mar 2026 09:55:45 +0000    <![CDATA[The Playful Classroom: February]]>https://www.digitalschoolhouse.org.uk/news/post/the-playful-classroom-permission-to-dreamWhy the digital divide is about more than just tech]]>

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

    Shahneila Saeed speaks at a Computing Teaching Conference


    Shahneila Saeed is Head of Education at Ukie and the Director of Digital Schoolhouse. She served as Head of Computing at an Inner London school for over 15 years before joining Ukie, where she spearheaded the creation of the Digital Schoolhouse Programme.

    She is a prolific author, having penned books like "Hacking the Curriculum: Creative Computing & the Power of Play", "How to Raise a Tech Genius" and the forthcoming “Max Computing” series. She actively contributes to the field as a board member, trustee, and advisor for organisations including NCCE, Digit<all>, and Into Games.

    The Permission to Dream: Why Mission 2030 is vital for UK Computing

    There is a specific silence that every educator dreads. It isn’t the silence of a focused classroom; it is the heavy, stagnant silence of a student who has already decided a door is closed to them.


    Years ago, while teaching in an Inner London Secondary school, I encountered this silence in its most profound form. Our school, like many, was streamed by ability. Inevitably, the Extension Band mirrored the most affluent demographics of the area. Conversely, the Support Group held our highest concentration of SEND students and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.


    When I stood before a Year 9 Upper Band mixed ability group to promote our Sail France residential trip, an opportunity backed by Pupil Premium funding to ensure cost was no barrier, I expected a forest of raised hands. Instead, I was met with blank stares. When I pressed for a reason, a student finally spoke with a devastating matter-of-factness:


    “Miss, you’re speaking to the wrong class. This trip isn’t meant for students like us. That’s for the Extension Band.”


    Despite the available funding and our best intentions, a social divide had calcified. These students didn't just lack the money; they lacked the sense of belonging. This encounter, and what it represents, remains the driving force behind Digital Schoolhouse. It serves as a stark reminder that if an opportunity is not embedded into the fabric of a child’s daily life, they will write themselves out of the narrative before they even begin.

    The Digital Divide: Beyond Hardware

    In 2026, the digital divide is often reduced to hardware and connectivity. We rightfully reference the difficulty of four siblings sharing a single mobile phone to access their education - a reality many faced during the pandemic. However, the divide is equally psychological.

    The UK currently faces a critical skills gap. According to data from BCS, 9 in 10 girls leave school without a recognised Computing qualification. According to a study from The Royal Society, girls and students from minority ethnic groups were more likely to describe themselves as creative, but few felt that computing was a creative subject. We are in danger of pupils seeing computers as a functional necessity for "other" people.


    If a child does not see themselves as the target audience for technology today, how can we expect them to be the innovators of tomorrow? We cannot ask a child to aspire to a career in the creative digital industries if they have never been given the "permission to dream" that comes with early, playful ownership of technology.

    The Digital Schoolhouse Philosophy: Systematic Inclusion

    To solve this, we moved the goalposts. We recognised that "opt-in" models like clubs, after-school programs, and optional trips, frequently fail the very students they are meant to help. Those with the least confidence or the most barriers to entry simply do not "opt-in."


    Digital Schoolhouse was founded on the principle of universal access. By delivering our workshops during the school day, for the entire class, we remove the burden of self-selection.

    • Integration: Workshops are delivered within the standard timetable, ensuring no student is "left behind" in a library or support room.
    • Regional Equity: Our Festival of Play and Esports tournaments are free to schools and delivered across the UK, ensuring that geography does not dictate destiny.
    • Industry-Backed Pedagogy: Through partnerships with Nintendo, Electronic Arts, The University of Westminster and Class VR, we bridge the gap between the classroom and the careers of the future.

    Mission 2030: The Road to 100%

    Over the past 11 years, we have grown from a pilot of eight London schools to having a Schoolhouse within 50km of 77% of UK pupils. We already have reached 320,000 pupils through direct interaction.


    But 77% is not enough.


    As we look toward the next decade, we have launched our Mission 2030. The goal is simple: To have 100% of schools within 50km of a Digital Schoolhouse. We are focusing our efforts on the regions we need to get to - the areas where the digital divide is widest and where the silence of the "wrong class" is loudest.


    To achieve this, we are evolving. For the first time, Digital Schoolhouse is now accepting donations to directly fund the expansion of our network.


    To everyone reading this: this is an invitation to move beyond conversation and into direct, scalable action. Your donations will provide the hardware, the expert training, and the curriculum-integrated workshops that ensure no child is sidelined by their postcode or socioeconomic background.


    Every child deserves a digital future, not just those in the "Extension Band," and not just those who already own the technology.


     Together, we can ensure that no child ever has to look at a teacher and say,


    “Miss. That isn’t meant for the likes of us.”

    Donate to Digital Schoolhouse
    ]]>    Thu, 05 Feb 2026 09:49:05 +0000    <![CDATA[Festival of Play 2026: 5 years, 5 cities]]>https://www.digitalschoolhouse.org.uk/news/post/digital-schoolhouse-launches-festival-of-play-2026Our festival with Electronic Arts is back, bigger and better than ever]]>

    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 5th 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
    ]]>    Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:48:20 +0000    <![CDATA[Become a Digital Schoolhouse]]>https://www.digitalschoolhouse.org.uk/news/post/become-a-digital-schoolhouseApplications are now open for the academic year 2026/27]]>

    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
    ]]>    Mon, 05 Jan 2026 14:58:43 +0000    <![CDATA[Education Mixer at City Hall]]>https://www.digitalschoolhouse.org.uk/news/post/education-mixer-at-city-hallHave your say on the future of creative skills education]]>

    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
    ]]>    Wed, 03 Dec 2025 12:04:28 +0000    <![CDATA[The Playful Classroom: The Ingenuity Journey]]>https://www.digitalschoolhouse.org.uk/news/post/the-playful-classroom-the-ingenuity-journey1How our teacher CPD led to a bold new partnership]]>

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

    Shahneila Saeed speaks at a Computing Teaching Conference


    Shahneila Saeed is Head of Education at Ukie and the Director of Digital Schoolhouse. She served as Head of Computing at an Inner London school for over 15 years before joining Ukie, where she spearheaded the creation of the Digital Schoolhouse Programme.

    She is a prolific author, having penned books like "Hacking the Curriculum: Creative Computing & the Power of Play", "How to Raise a Tech Genius" and the forthcoming “Max Computing” series. She actively contributes to the field as a board member, trustee, and advisor for organisations including NCCE, Digit<all>, and Into Games.

    Igniting Ingenuity: Why Playfulness is the Cornerstone of Teacher Training

    Teachers possess an abundance of creativity, yet I’ve observed over the years that they often don't recognise this powerful trait in themselves. My aim has always been to cultivate and harness that ingenuity, amplifying it to raise teaching standards across the Digital Schoolhouse network.


    That philosophy is why we call our Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training days for Lead Teachers ‘Ingenuity Days.’ They are designed to be a platform for ingenious ideas and creative thinking.

    Bridging the Gap: Playful Learning in Action


    Our Lead Teachers participate in a dedicated annual CPD cycle: an Ingenuity Day in October and January, a regional meetup in March, and a final two-day session in June.

    We always set a relevant theme that addresses current priorities. Previous themes have included online safety, ethical use of technology, diversity in computing, and Artificial Intelligence. Last year, we dove deep into the world of virtual and augmented realities (VR/AR). We wanted our teachers to not just understand the technology, but its application, development, and potential in the classroom.

    Encountering VR for the First Time

    In October 2024, we invited VR developers like Noun Town and Singer Studios to our offices to meet with our teachers. They demonstrated how virtual reality is being used for educational purposes. Teachers were able to get hands-on with the technology, many for the first time, and discuss teaching and learning opportunities for their students.

    Funding is always a crucial conversation, so expectations were set early: Digital Schoolhouse wasn't yet in a position to supply hardware. We challenged our teachers to think creatively about integrating their new learning in other ways.


    We revisited the theme in January. Bradley Cooper from RiVR shared insights into the application of VR across diverse fields like medicine and policing. We stripped back the basics, exploring different VR experiences and their implications for student engagement. Crucially, we spotlighted student-accessible VR development tools, such as Delightex, which allows students to create their own 3D worlds. By the end of the day, all our Lead Teachers had become creators of their own VR experiences.

    The enthusiasm for what this could bring to their students was palpable. This excitement motivated us to go further, to secure the hardware that would unlock these opportunities.


    Behind the scenes, a partnership conversation began.

    In June 2025, we proudly announced our collaboration with Avantis Education, makers of ClassVR.


    This partnership means our teachers are now receiving class sets of headsets, which will be shared across the DSH network. We've used the insights from our VR experts to modify our own curriculum resources; workshops like 'Crazy Graphics' and 'Moon Landing' now have dedicated VR plugins, and we're developing brand new materials in collaboration with ClassVR.

    This is just the start. The partnership allows us to deepen our investigation:


  1. Does translating concepts into VR experiences deepen student understanding more significantly than other kinaesthetic activities?

    • What is the full journey a student takes from experiencing VR to becoming a creator themselves?


      Beyond Subject Content

      This work is about more than just subject delivery. It’s about enabling all students to experience a wide range of technology, positioning these tools so students can see themselves as the creators of this technology in the future.


      Yes, knowledge is important. But equally important is student engagement, joy, and inspiring their own creativity, understanding that these powerful tools are at their disposal to use and embrace.

      Some may dismiss VR as a gimmick, but when used well, it becomes a powerful medium for teaching and learning.

      During our Ingenuity Days, I saw our teachers laughing, playing, and having fun. I saw the lightbulbs go off, new ideas being developed, and the pure excitement of possibility. I’ve always believed it's rare for a student to enjoy a lesson if the teacher doesn't enjoy it themselves. Teachers having fun is the first stepping stone to delivering fun and engaging lessons.

      That is why fun, games, laughter, and playfulness are at the cornerstone of all our Ingenuity Days. And it’s why we are so careful when approaching new partnerships.


      ClassVR has arrived at the perfect time. They've enabled us to take what we were investigating and scale it exponentially, bringing these immersive, joyful, and creative experiences to a much wider range of students.


      Want to book your school a Digital Schoolhouse workshop using ClassVR? Contact your nearest schoolhouse today: https://www.digitalschoolhouse.org.uk/workshop

      ]]>      Wed, 19 Nov 2025 11:11:44 +0000      <![CDATA[Digital Schoolhouse launches Mission 2030]]>https://www.digitalschoolhouse.org.uk/news/post/mission-2030-help-us-give-every-child-a-digital-futureDigital Schoolhouse is launching it's new mission. Will you join us?]]>

      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

      ]]>      Mon, 27 Oct 2025 11:54:25 +0000      <![CDATA[DSH esports: A research-backed impact]]>https://www.digitalschoolhouse.org.uk/news/post/esports-researchNew research from the University of Reading proves the impact of our esports.]]>







      Read the full report here
      ]]>      Fri, 10 Oct 2025 09:00:06 +0000      <![CDATA[Digital Schoolhouse's October Newsletter]]>https://www.digitalschoolhouse.org.uk/news/post/digital-schoolhouse-s-october-newsletterEsports is back, we've been on TV and we now have VR workshops! What a month!]]>

      Esports is back!
      We now have VR workshops! 
      We've been on TV!


      What a month - read all about it here:

      Read newsletter
      ]]>      Thu, 02 Oct 2025 15:07:30 +0000