Digital Schoolhouse is a not-for-profit programme which enables primary schools to experience free creative computing workshops from their local Schoolhouse. Combined with ingenious computing, the programme also engages thousands of students with its pioneering and immersive careers education. Schoolhouses are not charged for their participation in the programme, nor for the support that they receive.
Digital Schoolhouse (DSH) together with Nintendo UK is delivered by the UK games industry trade body Ukie and is backed by the creative digital industries and government. Sponsors include PlayStation®, SEGA, Ubisoft and Outright Games.
Responding to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: pivoting our model
We’re passionate about helping parents, teachers and computer science lovers gain free access to amazing resources that teach Computing in a fun, out-of-the-box way. Since classroom closures, we've created a library of Computing content for parents including live-streamed workshops, to deliver lessons at home in a simple way. Activities are suitable for ages 5 through to 16 years.
Explore our library of follow-along videos here.
Then
In response to an outdated ICT education and with recommendations from the NextGen Skills Report, the new Computing curriculum was launched in 2014. This was a breakthrough. By aiming to equip pupils with relevant digital skills, it would enable the next generation to succeed in a digital economy, whilst encouraging homegrown talent. With such revolutionary news, reactions within the education sector were mixed. Whilst some teachers jumped for joy (like us!), others felt uncertain about implementing the new curriculum.
Digital Schoolhouse was ready to provide a solution. With seed funding from the Mayor of London's Schools Excellence Fund (LSEF) and expertise from Mark Dorling and Shahneila Saaed, the DSH programme was to be rolled out across the UK.
Now
By helping teachers to explore and innovate ways to approach the new curriculum, as well as developing resources and CPD training, Ukie's Digital Schoolhouse was welcomed with open arms.
Starting with only 9 Schoolhouses in 2014, our network is now 56 strong and predicted to reach 32,000 pupils and 4000+ teachers over the next academic year.
What we do
The programme has a wholistic approach to the improvement of computing education, everything from teacher CPD, to engaging classroom resources and innovative careers education.
Online Resource Library - free to download resources using play-based learning.
Esports in education - Together with Nintendo Switch, the Digital Schoolhouse Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Team Battle reached 10,000 pupils in schools & colleges across the UK this academic year. Read more.
