Stirling is set to become home to the digital superstars of the future as local schools become the first public buildings to benefit from the ongoing Gigabit City transformation.
Local schools like Allan’s Primary will be amongst the first public services to benefit from the ultra-fast connections, helping to bring new digital tools and e-learning initiatives to the classroom.
Thanks to a partnership between Stirling Council, CityFibre and MLL Telecoms, around 7,000 pupils, teachers and school staff will have access to ultrafast, full-fibre internet connectivity. This will give classrooms access to the speeds and bandwidth required to adopt digital tools such as smart boards, enhance education with innovative e-learning initiatives such as coding and app-building, and ultimately prepare learners for a world of work in the digital age.
Preparing for the work place
As one of the first schools to be connected, Allan’s Primary is excited about its digital future. Full-fibre connectivity will enable it to embrace Stirling Council’s ambition to ensure all young people leave school with the ability to use a wide range of digital technologies in the work place. It will also help to reverse the existing trend that sees one in five Scottish adults lacking basic digital skills.
Planned initiatives already include implementing Google Classroom – an innovative suite of tools that facilitates learning, development, collaboration and achievement tracking – and an app design project which aims to showcase historical sites in Stirling’s old town.
Councillor Susan McGill, Education Convenor at Stirling Council, said: “This really is an exciting time. Our young people will be some of the first to benefit from our Gigabit City transformation as part of our work to establish Stirling has a centre of digital excellence and a destination of choice for students and businesses of the future. This technology has the power to revolutionise learning and future-proof our schools. Our pupils will soon be able access to the most innovative learning programmes, making sure they stay ahead of the curve in this digital age.”
“E-learning pioneers”
James McClafferty, CityFibre’s Head of Regional Development in Scotland added: “Stirling council and its school leaders have proved themselves to be e-learning pioneers, recognising the importance of digital skills in the workplaces of today and tomorrow. Their approach is fully aligned with both national and local learning and teaching strategies and positions Stirling ahead of the game.
“This is exactly what CityFibre wants to see when it brings next-generation, full-fibre connectivity to any UK town or city. By investing in their city’s digital future and connecting its schools, libraries, art centres, offices and community facilities, Stirling Council demonstrates our shared ambition for Scotland and the UK as a global leader in the digital world.”
Schools across Stirling will also be leading the charge for digital skills by working towards the Digital Schools awards and participating in challenges set by a new partnership between Codebase and the University of Stirling.
