Blog - EdTech in TOwer Hamlets

Edtech Hubs in Tower Hamlets

Tower Hamlets is one of the most diverse and vibrant boroughs in London, with a population of over 300,000 people. It is also one of the most deprived areas in the country, with high levels of poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion. Education is a key factor in improving the life chances and well-being of the residents, especially the young people who make up nearly a third of the population.

The Tower Hamlets EdTech Hub is a collaborative initiative that aims to develop communities of practice that share expertise and experiences in the effective use of technology for enhancing teaching and learning. It provides opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and training. The hub is a partnership between Tower Hamlets Local Authority, LGfL and EdTech UK. 

The hub's website features a digital strategy guide and toolkit for school leaders, as well as case studies, videos, and events. The Tower Hamlets EdTech Hub is part of a wider network of EdTech hubs across the UK that aim to foster innovation and excellence in education technology. Schools are featured showcasing how they have successfully integrated technology into their everyday practices, such as Harbinger Primary and St Luke’s Primary who are the newest editions to the hub community.

Harbinger and St Luke’s Primary Schools

Both Harbinger and St Luke’s schools are located on the Isle of Dogs part of Tower Hamlets, a stone’s throw away from Canary Wharf. Despite the high levels of deprivation and child poverty, both schools’ aim to provide a high-quality education that prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century and offer a rich and varied curriculum that fosters creativity, curiosity and critical thinking that integrates the effective use of technology to enrich the experience of all learners. 

Executive Headteacher Rebecca Abrahams and Head of School for Harbinger, Nimesha Nagahawatte and their EdTech team have steered both schools through effective change management and candidly share their digital transformation journeys on the Tower Hamlets EdTech Hub through a series of compelling bite sized videos. Watch and learn how they embraced and navigated the difficulties of the pandemic and used the lessons learned to build a stronger digital environment. Their drive and commitment to effectively using technology was recognised by Microsoft and they became the first schools in Tower Hamlets to be awarded the Microsoft Showcase status. 

Their EdTech journey was accelerated by the pandemic in 2020, with support from the local authority and shared experiences from other schools, they quickly adopted tools and platforms, such as Microsoft 365 and were able to implement online learning. 

One of the key aspects of their digital strategy was to provide ongoing training and development for their staff, so that they could use technology confidently and creatively in their classrooms. Nimesha Nagahawatte explains in this video how they approached CPD for their staff and mapped out CPD opportunities and encouraged them to use the Microsoft Educator program to create MEC profiles and become accredited as MIEs. Some of their staff have gone on to achieve their MIE Expert status, which is a great accolade.

Another key aspect of their digital strategy was to use technology to support inclusive practice, and to provide equity for all our students, regardless of their needs or backgrounds. In the video “Examples of Everyday Learning” Luke Shuttleworth explains how he uses translator within PowerPoint to ensure EAL students can access the content. Computing Leader Jessica Dewan explains in the video “How do you use EdTech to support inclusive practice” how technology is used to differentiate instruction, to provide feedback and assessment, to enhance communication and collaboration, and to foster creativity and critical thinking with access for all. They used technology to support their values of learning, well-being and togetherness, by creating a positive and supportive online community.

Both schools have seen many positive impacts of technology on their teaching and learning. Assistant Head Teacher Emily Thakrar shares in the video “How can we assess the relative impact of technology on the effectiveness of teaching and learning” how students are more motivated and engaged when they use technology in the classroom, and they have developed their digital skills and competencies. 

Executive Headteacher Rebecca Abrahams describes on the Tower Hamlets EdTech Hub, how staff are more confident and innovative in using technology to enhance their pedagogy, and they have increased their collaboration and sharing of best practices. The parents are more involved and informed about their children's learning, and they have access to online resources and support.

She goes on to say “We are very proud of our EdTech journey so far, but we know that there is still room for improvement and growth. We are always looking for new ways to use technology to support our students' learning outcomes, well-being, and aspirations. We are grateful for the support and guidance we have received from the EdTech Hub, our local authority, St Luke's C of E Primary School, and other schools in Tower Hamlets. We hope that by sharing our experiences, we can inspire other schools to embark on their own EdTech journeys.” Watch the full video here.

Both schools have made great strides in their use of technology, and despite their advancements, they are still learning and developing every day and have welcomed the benefits of being part of the EdTech hubs, which include:

• Sharing best practices and lessons learned from different contexts and experiences.

• Supporting professional development and capacity building for teachers and leaders who want to use Edtech effectively and innovatively.

• Strategically procuring and deploying ‘best fit’ technology solutions to positively impact teaching and learning.

• Raising digital confidence and aspirations across schools in the local authority and beyond.

• Promoting innovation and creating opportunities for networking, mentoring, and funding.

• Working together as a community of practice

EdTech hubs can help bridge the gap between research, policy, and practice in education technology, and foster a culture of learning and collaboration among different stakeholders.

EdTech hubs can also contribute to addressing some of the most pressing challenges in education, such as digital poverty, gender inequality, learning continuity, and personalised learning, as Tower Hamlets EdTech hub and others are finding. 

Find out more: 

·      Upcoming EdTech Hub events – www.edtechevents.lgfl.net

·      Tower Hamlets EdTech Hub Portal - http://edtechth.lgfl.net

·      The Edtech Hubs programme – www.edtechhubs.lgfl.net   

·      PedTech – Effective teaching and learning with Technology