RUGBY School has won a national award for using technology to help students continue to learn during lockdown.
The school won the best use of technology award at the Tes Independent School Awards.
Lead judge David James said: “Rugby School’s online teaching and learning programme stood out, not only for the depth and breadth of its provision, but also for its admirable determination to make its resources available to local and international students, including helping children in Nairobi learn English and maths.
“Academic and co-curricular programmes were reinvented for lockdown, with the performing arts standing out as being especially impressive and popular.”
Prior to the pandemic, the school was already live-streaming music performances and sports events – such as the annual Crick Run – so parents could cheer on their children in real time.
The sports department also uses technology to track students’ fitness, with each student able to access a personalised coaching programme through an app, which has helped them restore their fitness to pre-lockdown levels.
Technology enabled the school to continue with a largely normal timetable within three days of school closures. Lectures continued online, while virtual music lessons started the day after pupils went home, and ensembles continuing to play and record, with the music department creating its own YouTube channel to share performances. House singing competitions were also introduced to maintain bonds for pupils who would usually be boarding together.
Peter Green, Executive Headteacher of Rugby School, said: “Our technology team are truly deserving of this accolade for the impressive remote delivery of the entire school timetable, enabling our students to continue to not only learn, but to flourish during lockdown.”
Jon Severs, Editor of Tes magazine and Chief Judge of the Awards said: “The Tes Independent School Awards is a celebration of the fantastic achievements of the independent sector. These winning and shortlisted schools have shown ingenuity, ambition and perseverance during what has been an unbelievably challenging year.”
