Digital Schoolhouse - News #esportsDigital Schoolhouse - News #esportshttps://www.digitalschoolhouse.org.uk/news/tag/esportsFri, 17 Apr 2026 11:48:23 -0700http://zoho.com/sites/<![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[esports Grand Final storms Sadler's Wells]]>https://www.digitalschoolhouse.org.uk/news/post/esports-grand-final-storms-sadler-s-wellsThe Grand Final of the Digital Schoolhouse Splatoon 3 Tournament with Nintendo Switch took place at Lilian Baylis Studio at Sadler's Wells - who came out on top?]]>

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!

Bowie The Hero and Nimmz practice their presentation for the Grand Final
Two teammates from Altrincham Grammar School smile at each other between games

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 

The team from HInchley Wood laugh about the game they have just played
A girl from Dame Allan's concentrated on the game with a white Nintento Switch sat in front of her
Bowie, Nimmz and a boy from Dame Allan's school commentate on a game of Splatoon 3
Bowie and Nimmz present with handheld microphones
The team from Southend High discuss tactics
Two teams are locked in competition in a game of Splatoon 3 with a giant screen projecting the game behind them and the stage lights shining down
A boy from Hinchley Wood smiles after winning a game
The team from Hinchley Wood lift the Grand Final trophy high and smile with their winner's medals around their neck
]]>Fri, 02 May 2025 08:39:08 +0000<![CDATA[Splatoon 3 Regional qualifiers make a splash]]>https://www.digitalschoolhouse.org.uk/news/post/splatoon-3-regional-qualifiers-make-a-splashThe 2025 Digital Schoolhouse Splatoon 3 esports tournament is well under way with the completion of our regional qualifiers, with 54 schools competing.]]>
A screen advertising the Digital Schoolhouse Splatoon 3 Tournament together with Nintendo Switch


​The 2025 Digital Schoolhouse Splatoon 3 esports tournament is well under way with the completion of our regional qualifiers.
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​54 schools from across Britain and Northern Ireland have now competed across 9 days of white hot ink-based action, and we are now down to the final 9, who are battling to make it to Lilian Baylis Studio at Sadlers Wells for our Grand Final.


Northern Ireland

We were at Belong Arena in Ballymena for an intense day where Ballyclare High School came out on top. 

Schools compete in a Splatoon 3 esports tournament game

Midlands

Our two days in Birmingham were at the Barclays Eagle Lab, our two winners were Shireland Collegiate Academy and Shire Oak Academy.

Four children sit at computers engrossed in a competitive game of esports

Scotland

For the first time ever we went to Scotland at Barclays Eagle Lab Glasgow, with Dunoon Grammar School victorious.

Two boys look at two screens displaying a live feed of esports. The SideQuest logo is reflected in the glass

London

Our two days at the brilliant SideQuest Charing Cross saw Southen High School for Boys and Hinchley Wood School go through.

Schoolchildren sit listening to instructions on the esports tournament

North West

Barclays Eagle Lab Manchester hosted us and saw Altrincham Grammar School for Boys come out on top.

Two children commentate on an esports game while other children watch on

North East

We made our way to Newcastle's Barclays Eagle Lab for another day's competition, with Dame Allan's Schools winning out.

Children in school uniform throw their hands up in celebration at winning an esports game

South East

Our final regional was at Barclays Eagle Lab in Cambridge, with The Trinity School being the last team to book a place in our semi-finals!



On to the semis...
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​We now have a short break before our semi finals where we'll be heading to the National Video Game Museum in Sheffield for our Northern semi-final  on the 11th March, and Sky Guild Gaming Centre, London for our Southern semi-final.
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​Who will come out on top? Stay tuned to find out...

]]>Fri, 28 Feb 2025 13:51:58 +0000<![CDATA[Esports Champions Crowned]]>https://www.digitalschoolhouse.org.uk/news/post/esports-champions-crownedLast week saw our four finalists come together at WASD to battle it out for the championship title and take home the trophy as the first winners of ou ]]>

Altrincham Grammar School for Boys Crowned Splatoon 3 Champions

Last week saw our four finalists come together at WASD to battle it out for the championship title and take home the trophy as the first winners of our latest iteration of the Digital Schoolhouse Senior Tournament in our latest title, Splatoon 3.


The competing schools had competed through the school heats, regional qualifiers and semi-final events and it truly was anyones game to win as the first match kicked off. But it was Altrincham Grammar School for Boys' team, AGSB, who fought their way up from the loser bracket to come out on top.

Southend High School for Boys' team, SHSB Esports, finished in second place, followed by Outwood Academy City's OAC Esports and Hinchley Wood School's Tidal Wave team. 

Players Anthony, TJ, Joe and Matthew celebrate with Head of Esports, Rob Cummins
Players Anthony, TJ, Joe and Matthew celebrate with Head of Esports, Rob Cummins

Players went away with some incredible prizes, included branded merchandise from our programme lead partners and tournament sponsors, Nintendo UK, including a framed art piece for the AGSB team to display back in school. The winners and runners up were also awarded with medals and trophies recognising their incredible achievement and skill.

All teams carried the weight of expectation following some intense matches in the semi-final events in March but despite the rivalries, the ongoing sportsmanship and respect for all teams was a joy to witness. Players regularly acknowledged their rival teams in post-match speeches with the grand final host, Alysia Judge, and there were handshakes all around at the end of the event, along with incredible support from the wider audience during some seriously close matches!

Students from Hinchley Wood School brought the passion to each match with a spectator team to match and cheer along their competitors!
Students from Hinchley Wood School brought the passion to each match with a spectator team to match and cheer along their competitors!

Beyond the players


This year saw the return of our Creative Careers Competitions, with categories in commentating, producing and journalism up for grabs on the day.


We were honoured to be joined once again by Nimmz and BowietheHero in the commentator box, supporting 9 students who had progressed through the previous stages, developing their skills and confidence with commentating. This was one of our strongest cohorts of commentators yet and while everyone gave it their all to bring the energy, excitement and enthusiasm to the the matches, Dax from St John Fisher Catholic High School and Albert from Southend High School for Boys were selected as the winners.

Nasif and William from Dame Allen's School join Nimmz and Bowie to hype up the crowd!
Nasif and William from Dame Allen's School join Nimmz and Bowie to hype up the crowd!

New to this year's tournament was the producer competition, judged by Damon Bates, founder of ZMS Esports Studio. This saw students take control of the in-game view, working with the commentators to create an engaging experience for the audience both in-person and online. Josh from Hinchley Wood School was selected as the winner of this tournament and both he and the commentator winners went away with trophies, medals and an incredible new elgato Stream Deck+ each too, courtesy of Scan Computers.


Our journalism competition returned once again this year, with the support of Dom Sacco, freelance journalist and editor at Esports News UK. It was Dax from St John Fisher Catholic High School who came away with another top prize for their love letter to commentating and the impact it has had on their confidence. Their winning entry will be posted on Esports News UK soon.

Dax from St John Fisher Catholic High School took away top prizes in both commentating and journalism.
Dax from St John Fisher Catholic High School took away top prizes in both commentating and journalism.

"They have blossomed from someone who would normally shy away from big crowds, into now [...] conducting impromptu interviews with the competing squads to find out more about the people behind the characters to aid with their commentating. They are an absolute natural in front of the microphone and the skills developed during this year's tournament will continue to support them well into the future."

Mark Ward – Teacher, St John Fisher Catholic High School

Inspiration from Industry


One of the great perks of hosting this year's grand final at WASD was the wider industry access and experience for the students, who were encouraged to test out games and meet industry representatives throughout the day. But it also brought industry to us to witness the student's talent and highlight future opportunities within digital and creative careers.


The day was kicked off with an opening speech from the new Ukie CEO, Nick Poole, who brought an incredible energy to the space while promoting the variety of opportunities available to those with an interest in video games. Dom Sacco and Damon Bates, our competition judges, also led short introductions on journalism and production, two areas of the industry that can be overlooked or misunderstood by students looking to get their foot in the door.


We were also excited to be joined by this year's winners of the Ukie Student Game Jam, the Reckless Ferrets, Ilena Pegan, Carrie Penn, Chester Huang, talking about their game Taketh Giveth. The panel was hosted by Deborah Farley from Tranzfuser, a fantastic programme that guides graduates through the experience of setting up their own studio and creating their first video game. The student team spoke about their journeys into the industry and their experiences of building a game together, valuable food-for-thought for our students and teachers at the grand final.

Deborah Farley leads a panel discussion with Ukie Student Game Jam winners, Reckless Ferrets
Deborah Farley leads a panel discussion with Ukie Student Game Jam winners, Reckless Ferrets

"I want to give a heartfelt thank you to the teachers and students that take part. In today’s landscape you’ve got to be a visionary as a teacher to a certain extent to take the leap and try esports. And to the industry, I feel like they have truly embraced and backed Digital Schoolhouse. We always get such a positive and warm response, and that’s been spectacular."

Shahneila Saeed – Director of Digital Schoolhouse

What next?

For so many of these students, the tournament has provided yet another year of teamwork, skill-building and opportunities beyond those typically offered in the classroom. For all our schools who took part this year, and no matter what stage of the tournament they reached, it has been a unique experience that has seen incredible sportsmanship, creativity and bravery to take part in and we can't wait to see the tournament continue to grow in 2025!

If you would like to sign up to join next year's tournament, please register your interest here.

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