GOOD FOR MY RATIONALE
People are being locked out of the digital world, not by choice, but by inaccessible design preventing access.
‘We design something for the needs and behaviour of people’…. We need to educate about ‘why it’s important’ and how people participate differently across our digital society.
Accessibility is about more than just individuals, it’s about society coming together to ensure that barriers don’t exist in the first place.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/phillipsons-ai-revolution-what-schools-need-to-know/
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/education-secretary-gives-bett-show-2025-keynote-address
Assistive technology training speech - Bridget Phillipson:
That’s why my department has designed and delivered training sessions on assistive technology, in schools, and it’s why it’ll become part of national training for all new teachers in 2025.
Leaders have told us that the effective use of this type of technology can have a huge impact not just on academic results but on children’s confidence in the classroom team.
It’s so important that we get this right for children with SEND.
So we are commissioning brand new research to see how different agencies can best come together to encourage schools to use assistive technology as effectively as possible.
Digital Accessibility standards in schools (2022): And updated in March 2025 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/meeting-digital-and-technology-standards-in-schools-and-colleges/digital-accessibility-standards
ALSO:
(SteAshton WCC) Not sure if this is useful:
- DfE and DSIT have launched a consultation on plans to make digital standards a requirement for all schools, alongside a £45 million investment to improve connectivity. Views will be gathered on a long-term ambition for all schools and colleges to meet six core digital standards by 2030. These are:
- Broadband internet
- Wireless networks
- Network switches
- Digital leadership and governance
- Filtering and monitoring
- Cyber security
Happy to contribute to the consultation response if we’re doing one
Also here’s a link to the £45m investment https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2025/03/breaking-down-the-digital-divide-in-schools-what-you-need-to-know/#:~:text=We've%20just%20committed%20%C2%A3,technology%20is%20making%20in%20education.
Whilst we’ve supported getting gigabit capable broadband to schools and indeed wireless in the past, we’re not involved in this latest announcement. I’m also not clear if any schools in Worcestershire have been selected to benefit.
Comments
Post a Comment