Following the phenomenal success of the initiative in 2017, the company has identified a real demand in the education sector for a second grant this year. As schools are increasingly faced with budgetary pressures Promethean believes that this should not prevent them from having access to the latest teaching technology. The grant aims to give schools UK-wide an opportunity to win the latest edtech in a creative competition.

Promethean’s ‘State of Technology in Education Report 2017-18’ highlighted fears over school budget pressures in 2018. The report surveyed over 1,500 educators and found that 72% believed budgetary pressures would most impact student education this year. The statistic echoed an agreement by 100% of educators surveyed that lack of funds was the biggest reason for unsatisfactory technology in schools. It was this report that acted as a catalyst to host a second grant.

The first ever Promethean Grant, which was launched in 2017 attracted entries from over 250 schools up and down the country. Six winning Scottish schools were each awarded an ActivPanel, the latest interactive front of class display. The initiative has been such an overwhelming success that it has now been launched in Australia and New Zealand.

Bringing  New Tech to the Classroom

Colleen MacGregor, Nursery Teacher at Coupar Angus Primary, one of the six Scottish winners said: “We didn’t have any tech in our nursery classroom before, and we’re always looking for new ways to enhance our children’s learning experiences. So when we heard about the Promethean Grant this was an opportunity we grabbed with both hands. We’re so lucky to be winners. The children use the ActivPanel every day for all sorts of activities.” 

Christine Boyle, Headteacher at St Bernadette’s, another successful school commented: “We really needed new front of class technology but are restricted when it comes to funding. The Promethean Grant was the perfect opportunity to win an ActivPanel for the school and we were thrilled to be successful. It’s thanks to the generosity of the Promethean Grant that we have been able to enhance our children’s learning opportunities.”

Video Submissions Welcome

Schools are invited to submit video entries explaining why they would benefit from winning an ActivPanel – the latest interactive front of class display. Entries will be judged on three criteria: creativity, need, and the impact the technology will have if they are successful. 30 winners will be selected to receive a fully installed ActivPanel package valued at around £3,000.

A maximum of one ActivPanel can be won per school, but multiple entries are welcomed. The competition will open on Monday 19th March and will close on Friday 15th June. The video entries will be judged by a panel of education experts

Going Viral

Tottington Primary school’s video entry attracted global interest, so much so that a video of teacher Simon Hunt’s innovative ways of teaching through technology was shared on Facebook by BrightVibes – a platform that shares inspiring and positive stories – attracting over 160,000 views. Hunt has been such a sensation that he has been invited to join this year’s judging panel alongside the Editor of Education Technology Magazine, Charley Rodgers and Ty Golding, South Wales Head teacher and ambassador for using technology to enhance 21st century education. 

Alistair Hayward, Promethean’s Head of UKI and ANZ markets, told DIGIT: “Schools are under increasing financial pressures, yet at the same time, are expected to create state-of-the-art learning environments to improve attainment. As a company we are incredibly passionate about education and believe all schools should be able to access technologies that are proven to enhance teaching and learning experiences, which is why we are pleased to be running the Promethean Grant for a second year.”