Berkhamsted Schools Group has been named winner of the ‘Best Use of Educational Technology’ category at the Independent School of the Year Awards, recognising our innovative and research-led approach to technology, AI and digital learning.
The award reflects our commitment to helping pupils become confident, capable and responsible users of technology. In our most recent ISI inspection, Berkhamsted was also identified as having a “significant strength” in its use of ICT for teaching and learning.
Supported by our Director of EdTech, we research and implement developmentally appropriate technology across the Schools Group, ensuring pupils develop the digital skills they need while learning how to use technology safely, critically and responsibly.
What Is Berkhamsted’s Approach to Educational Technology?
At Berkhamsted, we describe our philosophy as ‘Pro Tech, Pro Boundaries’.
We believe technology should enhance learning and everyday life, but not dominate it. Pupils are explicitly taught how technology and AI can support learning, when it is appropriate to use these tools, and where their limitations lie.
Before engaging with age-appropriate AI tools, all pupils complete an AI certification through the Online Safety Alliance. Personal development sessions encourage pupils to explore topics such as deepfakes, echo chambers, digital footprints, bias and the fallibility of AI systems. In the Sixth Form, students can build their own AI study tutors and take part in AI-supported interview preparation to prepare them for future careers.
Our commitment to responsible and effective AI use has also been recognised through the award of an AI Quality Mark Gold Award.
Berkhamsted was an early adopter of the smartphone-free campus, introducing clear boundaries around device use long before smartphone restrictions became a wider national conversation. Technology is introduced gradually through a structured roadmap, ensuring pupils receive age-appropriate access alongside education about healthy digital habits and online safety.
Research-Led Innovation in AI and Digital Learning
As a research-led school, we continually evaluate emerging technologies to ensure they deliver educational benefit to pupils, and growth opportunities for staff.
Staff regularly conduct action research projects exploring areas such as AI for retrieval practice, adaptive teaching, metacognition and writing development. Alongside improved efficiency in gathering data and the use of prompts to create extra materials, teaching has become more adaptive and accessible to every pupil.
We have partnered with Zero Gravity to explore AI-powered Socratic questioning, amongst further inquiries into the use of AI in teaching.
A Developmentally Appropriate Approach to Technology
Technology is introduced gradually through a clear developmental roadmap, ensuring pupils gain the benefits of digital tools at the right stage of their learning. Younger children continue to enjoy rich, play-based experiences while beginning to build digital skills in an age-appropriate way. As pupils move through the Schools Group, technology becomes a natural part of learning, supporting organisation, collaboration and independent study.
The introduction of 1:1 devices has been particularly beneficial for many neurodiverse learners, helping with organisation, accessibility and confidence. Meanwhile, the consistent use of OneNote across subjects means pupils can easily access all of their notes and resources in one place.
At GCSE and A Level, pupils can choose to use a laptop in examinations as their normal way of working. Alongside improving accessibility and organisation, this has played a part in supporting excellent academic outcomes, with pupils achieving outstanding examination results this summer.
Developing Future-Ready Digital Citizens
Technology is also closely linked to Berkhamsted’s character education programme. Pupils use digital tools to reflect on their personal growth, develop leadership skills and extend their learning beyond the classroom.
By combining digital skills with digital responsibility, Berkhamsted is preparing pupils not only for examinations and higher education, but for a future in which technology and AI will play an increasingly important role.
This national award recognises Berkhamsted’s commitment to ensuring pupils leave school as thoughtful, self-regulated and informed users of technology, equipped to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
