One area of development has been on building an understanding of the digital needs of all pupils from S1 to S3, paying particular attention to the PEF cohort. All pupils, parents and carers from these year groups have had the opportunity to complete a questionnaire allowing us to identify potential barriers to pupils learning through digital platforms and where parents are finding it difficult to support pupils in their digital learning.

To support pupils, parents and carers, a Free Bus Travel guide has been created to provide very simple step by step instructions on applying for the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel provided by the Scottish Government. We had been given feedback that the process of accessing free bus travel was a difficult and confusing process for some. In making a simple and easy to follow guide which includes video tutorials and links to all the relevant instructions, we have created a tailored guide which is fully accessible to all. For those of you who perhaps missed it, the link is below.

Staff have also been providing lots of feedback on how they use digital platforms and applications within their subjects and in their everyday teaching. This feedback allows us to see how digital we are as a school and start to plan a consistent digital learning approach throughout the school. Each department has an established Digital Champion which was set up in session 2020-21 who oversees the digital progression and needs of their departments as well as giving input to whole school digital initiatives.

The vision for the PEF Digital Literacy PT's is to secure a positive attachment with learning for children who are affected by factors out with their control, e.g., family circumstances, financial hardship. In removing digital barriers to learning, it will help ensure equity across all learners, ultimately helping close the gap in attainment by building positive experiences for all pupils in teaching and learning.