Addressing the Digital Divide with Summer School Enrichment

The UK is heading towards a digital skills shortage, with The Learning & Work Institute finding the number of young people taking IT subjects at GCSE has dropped 40% since 2015. 
Now as many disadvantaged children have been tasked with learning at home as part of COVID-19 social distancing measures, while the shift to online learning offered flexibility for some, a report found that 1 in 5 pupils on free school meals has no access to a computer at home. Pupils’ access to technology has been a large factor impacting the extent to which they can learn effectively at home. Lack of access to technology has been a large barrier.



Before the pandemic, there was a huge issue with the digital divide, but now with pupils having had 2 school years’ worth of learning disrupted, they need a way to catch up. To address this challenge, we need easier access to technology and support for pupils who need it most. As pupils return to school, how this technology is used in the classroom is critical to support learning. It is essential to provide support and guidance on how to use this new technology effectively.
CREATE Education are providing access to technology along with complete enrichment programmes to support schools in their summer catch-up plans.
By using these exciting technologies, pupils can get involved in creative hands-on learning projects that help increase motivation and confidence.
As another key challenge faced by schools is staffing and the extensive demands placed on teachers and schools over the past year and the challenges faced by public health requirements, these 3D Printing summer enrichment projects can be delivered by non-specialists with complete support from CREATE Education. Perfect for the year 7-8 transition, but the projects can be used across upper KS2 and KS3, equipping them with the key skills they need to succeed in a future career.
Would you like to learn more about setting up a 3D Printing Summer School Enrichment Programme?
Sign up and join us for an introductory webinar now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/introduction-to-the-3d-printing-summer-school-enrichment-programme-tickets-150019601667 
Or visit https://www.createeducation.com/summer-schools/

The author

Rhiannon Challenger

Community Engagement Manager and Editor at Nexus Education. BA Hons English Literature.

https://www.nexus-education.com/