Digital technologies have advanced more rapidly than any other innovation in our history, and preparing our boys for a highly technological world is a critical part of equipping them for a challenging and changing future.
It is, therefore, vital that their education, while at school, provides them with the tools and skills to, at the very least, be competent and comfortable with digital technology. Many boys have chosen to take the basics much further, and we have adjusted our curriculum to provide opportunities to stretch boys beyond the basics and give them the ability to not only adapt and change but go on to be early advocates and leaders in the digital revolution.
It is the job of our Director of Digital Learning, Dr Albin Wallace, to drive our whole school environment and curriculum forward continuously and provide boys with the appropriate teaching, and staff in the school with the necessary professional development.
“The school is on a digital learning journey: adapting, improving and maximising the benefit to the boys at every step.” Dr Albin Wallace.
How are we doing this?
UK Bebras is an international computing challenge, which aims to introduce computational thinking to pupils. Over 50 countries take part, and it aims to get pupils from all over the world excited about computing.
Pupils are tasked to solve as many problems as possible in 40 minutes. The challenge is completed online and only ‘thinking skills’ are needed. This year a record 314 boys from across our Prep and Upper School, took part, with some superb results:
- The Bedford School Elite category scored an average of 108 compared with the national average of 93.
- The Bedford School Senior category scored an average of 102 compared with the national average of 88.
Individual scores were equally impressive with 74 boys awarded a distinction and 88 boys a merit. This now means many of our older boys can now enter the Oxford University Computing Challenge at the beginning of 2022.
Individual scores:
- Age 16-18 group: Best in School (joint): Alex Hayward and Daniel Hutchins plus 8 distinctions and 10 merits.
- Age 12-16 group: Best in School: Ethan Summers plus 23 distinctions and 22 merits.
- Age 12-14 group: Best in School: Isaac Raddon plus 15 distinctions and 16 merits.
- Age 10-12 group: Best in School: Edward Keggin plus 3 distinctions and 9 merits.
- Age 6-8 group: Best in School: Rory Brodie plus 3 distinctions and 4 merits.
Journal of Digital Learning
Last year saw the launch of the Bedford School Journal of Digital Learning – a collection of papers written by the boys themselves to reflect on digital technologies and how they impact our world.
Issue 4 ‘Are Robots a Threat to Humanity’ is hot off the press and addresses the controversial theme of robots versus humans. Whilst machines will always be faster and more accurate than humans can ever be, the human skills of empathy, creativity, imagination and sophisticated communication, amongst others, will be more critical than ever for the next generation. To help boys from both the Prep and Upper School to consider this notion, they were asked to submit an essay to answer the question, “Do robots pose a threat to humanity?” A selection of these essays can be found in this issue.
Digital Leaders
Our Digital Leaders are a group of boys who have a passion for technology and help promote the use of digital technology throughout the school.
Our Digital Leaders for this year have been identified and have already started their ChildNet training programme where they will complete a comprehensive programme in their own time over the next term. Once they are fully accredited, they will take on the role of Digital Leader and share their knowledge through assemblies, tutor groups and citizenship mornings, as well as providing advice to staff.
2021/22 Digital Leaders:
Callum Ward (Lower Sixth)
Varun Nathan (Lower Sixth)
Sho Kudo (Lower Sixth)
Kevin Xu (Fifth Form)
Selim Sheikh (Fourth Form)
James Gordon (Fourth Form)
Minecraft Club
With the help of Peter Drage, IT Director, the school has created its own Minecraft servers. Hosted by the school, these servers enable boys to build together in a virtual world. The boys are responsible for this world, working together to design, develop and maintain it. Any boy can request to join and build.
Mr Scullion, Head of Computer Science, said: “The Bedford School values are integrity, responsibility, endeavour and curiosity. Giving the boys this opportunity arguably meets all these values in one go. Building worlds is not a quick task and so it has been great to see how the boys have worked together to start creating a spectacular environment. It also helps them to learn from each other in terms of design and construction.”