The schools set to receive between £75,000 and £150,000 as part of a government drive to boost edtech support have been revealed.

The “EdTech Demonstrator” schools have been chosen by the Department for Education (DfE) to provide advice to peers “most in need of support” with technology, including those “getting to grips with using a new online learning platform” and those “with the most disadvantaged learners”.

The initial aim of the programme was to help schools use technology to reduce teacher workload; create efficiencies; improve accessibility; and “ultimately support excellent teaching and learning”.

But the DfE says it has since been “refocused” to help support remote teaching during the coronavirus crisis, and to allow new applicants to apply for funding.

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The department invited schools who are “using technology effectively” and “keen to share their experience” to apply for the scheme in October last year.

It has today revealed the 20 successful applicants set to receive between £75,000 and £150,000 in grant funding to support the delivery of the programme.

The level of funding made available to each “demonstrator” will vary depending on the “intensity of proposed activity” and the number of schools or colleges they will support.

In response to the coronavirus crisis, the DfE has now said schools can apply for a second round of funding until 29 April 2020.

The programme, which is being led by “a consortium of delivery partners” including the DfE, The London Grid for Learning, Sheffield Hallam University and The Education Foundation, is scheduled to run until March 2021.

The network of specialist schools will offer packages of support including guidance, online tutorials, webinars and recorded content.

Schools seeking support can register their interest online. 

A statement on the EdTech Developer Programme website reads: “These schools and colleges represent a wide range of contexts, from rural to urban and primary to further education and include a number of trusts with special needs provision.

“Demonstrator schools and colleges will offer packages of support, ranging from guidance, online tutorials, webinars and recorded content.

“Advice and training will be available to some schools and colleges across the country which are most in need of support, for example those which have recently deployed a new online learning platform and those with the most disadvantaged learners.”

The full list of “EdTech Demonstrator” schools and colleges is as follows:

• Balcarras School with National Star College - South West

• Basingstoke College of Technology - South East

• Beauchamp College - East Midlands

• Broadclyst Community Primary School - South West

• Cheam Common Junior Academy with members of LEO Academy Trust - London

• Coupals Primary Academy with Thomas Gainsborough Secondary School (Unity Schools Partnership and Unity Research School) - East of England

• Danesfield School - South East

• Darlington College - North East

• Hambleton Primary Academy with Ribblesdale High School and Highfurlong School - North West

• Heronsgate Primary School - London

• Kibworth Church of England Primary School - East Midlands

• King Ecgbert School with Notre Dame High School - Yorkshire and the Humber

• Lea Forest Primary Academy (Academies Enterprise Trust) - West Midlands

• Mount Hawke Academy, Aspire Academy Trust - South West

• Sandringham School - East of England

• Shacklewell Primary School with Grazebrook and Woodberry Down Primary Schools - London

• Skipton Girls’ High School - Yorkshire and the Humber

• St Alban’s Catholic Primary School with Bishop Challoner Catholic College - West Midlands

• St John the Baptist Catholic Comprehensive School - South East

• Warden Park Secondary Academy (Sussex Learning Trust) with Warden Park and Northlands Wood Primary Academies - South East