We are delighted to announce that Marlborough College has been recognised as a Microsoft Showcase School for the 2025–2026 academic year. This prestigious international status has been awarded in recognition of our innovative use of digital technology to enhance teaching and learning within the classroom. The Showcase School designation will enable the College to share its expertise and best practices as part of Microsoft’s global community of pioneering schools, further advancing our Digital Learning Strategy and providing valuable professional development opportunities for our teaching staff.
To achieve Showcase School status, schools must demonstrate the effective use of technology to create pupil-centred, immersive and inclusive classroom experiences. These experiences are designed to inspire a love of life-long learning and support the development of essential future-ready skills, empowering pupils to achieve their full potential. We are pleased that the Microsoft Elevate Committee acknowledged our school-wide vision, the culture of learning and growth fostered among our teaching staff, our investment in safe and secure technology, and our commitment to evidence-based research.
Our approach to ‘Quality First’ teaching ensures high expectations and appropriate structure in lessons, meeting the needs of all pupils regardless of their individual learning profiles. The integration of digital tools, such as OneNote, supports flexibility and personalisation in teaching and learning. We are committed to advancing our implementation of accessibility tools, including Immersive Reader, Translator, and Dictation, to effectively support the diverse needs of our pupils.
The Surfaces programme has enabled all pupils to access digital inking, combining the advantages of digital note-taking with those of traditional handwriting. Research indicates that handwriting can significantly improve cognitive development and memory retention, so integrating digital inking ensures pupils can enjoy the advantages of both modern technology and traditional learning methods. This approach supports a more holistic educational experience, encouraging skills that are crucial for academic success and lifelong learning.
Looking ahead, we will be reviewing our existing AI policy to ensure that the safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence becomes embedded within our school culture. This recognition as a Showcase School will enable us to benefit from the latest thinking in this area. Central to our approach is the thoughtful application of technology, ensuring it is used where it can genuinely enhance the learning experience, balanced alongside more traditional teaching methods.
Our Director of Digital Learning, Hannah Meehan-Staines, commented: ‘I was delighted to receive the news that we have joined this global network of innovative schools. Whilst we continue to embed the core Microsoft tools in the classroom, I am excited by the prospect of working with other forward-thinking schools on important topics, such as the effective use of AI for learning, as we continue to develop our Digital Learning Strategy’.
