DigiSmart®

NEWS RELEASE

7th December 2016

Letter to schools

Dear supporters and practitioners in DigiSmart schools

This time of year — December 2016 — could not be a better time to write this letter to you. It marks the 15th year of DigiSmart in schools.

We started with a small pilot in partnership with three schools in London and, over the years, were able to grow and evolve DigiSmart through many more partnerships with schools across the country. When we say schools, this very much means all the individuals in those schools — specifically YOU and, of course, all the children who have taken part.

The end of 2016 is also a historic year as it represents a new phase for us, with the development and publication of DigiSmart as an app.

So this landmark occasion of 15 years is a perfect opportunity to tell you not only how much we value all the support you have shown, but also how much we admire your extraordinary commitment and amazing work with children.

We have seen this with our own eyes, having made hundreds of visits to meet many of you over the years. You could not have made us more welcome, finding extra time (even more extra time!) to talk with us and answer our questions. We have also gained massively from all our communications with schools and the feedback you have given us. Be assured, the time you have taken to help us is never forgotten.

As well as admiring all your commitment and extraordinary work, we would like you to know how much you have inspired us and continue to do so.

To give one example of how and why, as well as aiming to help bring about academic benefits for children, we have always wanted to boost their confidence and self-belief. You have absolutely ‘got’ this and you have made sure that we keep it at the heart of our development work.

There has been an unceasing emphasis from you on taking a holistic approach to each individual child. You have made sure we do not lose sight of the confidence and courage children need to feel inside to try something they find difficult and take the leap to learn.

In the 2016 documentary film called Serena, about the great tennis player Serena Williams, she is encouraged to keep mentally tough by being told that ‘pressure is a privilege’. Don’t worry, we’re not saying that to you! But we would like to adapt this expression to sum up our association with you and your schools, which is that ‘partnership is a privilege’.

Thanks to you we know full well what can be achieved by the reality of partnership. Partnership is to be prized as a positive force, especially in these challenging times when every sphere of life seems increasingly marked by discord, doubt and intolerance.

Thank you again. We know how hard you work, how much you give and how much you achieve every single day.

All best wishes

The DigiSmart Team