The University of Westminster has recently partnered with Digital Schoolhouse, a not-for-profit company transforming computing education through play, to improve how computing and digital skills are taught in schools.
Digital Schoolhouse equips children with the career-ready skills, confidence and computational thinking they need to thrive in today’s fast-moving digital world. To do this, they deliver free computing workshops and resources to schools across the UK and offer teachers professional development training in delivering fun, play-based computing sessions.
For the last two years, the University of Westminster has hosted the Playful Computing Conference and Festival of Play, where pupils have developed digital skills through play and teachers have learnt about the latest developments in technology and education.
Now through their official partnership, the University will combine its leading academic expertise in areas such as Computer Science, Media and Games Development with Digital Schoolhouse's innovative teaching programmes. Together they will provide cutting-edge professional development for computing teachers at more Playful Computing conferences, host inspiring workshops and masterclasses for students at the Festival of Play and ultimately bridge the gap between school-level education and university-level study in digital fields.
Their new partnership, announced on 13 November, spreads across the whole programme and will allow the Digital Schoolhouse to reach even more pupils and teachers, bringing in more immersive learning, teacher empowerment and community reach.
Digital Schoolhouse's Programme Director Shahneila Saeed said: “We are profoundly excited to embark on this partnership. The University of Westminster has a long history of excellence in Computer Science and Creative Media, and this partnership will allow us to bridge the gap between school-level digital education and university-level study. Together, we will ensure that teachers are empowered and will help create the future of the UK's digital creative talent.”
Dr Doug Specht, Head of the School of Media and Communication at the University who leads the partnership from the University’s side, added: “We are proud to be formalising our partnership with Digital Schoolhouse because we believe that playful, creative approaches to digital education are essential for empowering the next generation of media innovators. This collaboration enables us to bridge the gap between industry, schools and higher education, fostering digital literacy, critical thinking and collaborative skills among students and teachers alike, preparing them for a dynamic and exciting future.”
The partnership directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4: Quality Education, 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Learn more about Computer Science and Engineering courses at the University of Westminster.
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