We have been recognised as a Microsoft Showcase College, making us one of just 20 providers in the UK to have been awarded the prestigious status.
We met Microsoft’s stringent awarding criteria by demonstrating our commitment to a broad and relevant digital curriculum alongside provision of tools, technologies and expert tuition through our highly skilled workforce.
The accolade is the latest in a series of digital successes for Barnsley College, following the refurbishment of our SciTech Digital Innovation Hub last year, and the rollout of over 440 Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) qualifications to staff which pave the way for improved learning and student outcomes.
Toni Rhodes, Vice Principal, Quality at Barnsley College, said: “We are extremely proud to have been recognised by Microsoft and welcomed into its pioneering network of global innovators. The partnership brings us a huge wealth of research, expertise and resources, and further enables us to prepare our students and staff to thrive in an increasingly digitised world.
“Our commitment to promoting and facilitating the acquisition of digital skills to our students and staff is demonstrated by our significant and ongoing investment in our digital curriculum and cutting-edge facilities. Our workforce development strategy is also critical to our success and we believe that every member of staff is a digital leader. As a result we have over 440 colleagues now qualified as Microsoft Innovative Educators (MIE), we are proud to have such a large MIE community and we will increase that number.
“Ensuring digital equality and opportunity to our students and staff is at the heart of our digital journey. The strategy supports our College community with access and connectivity to appropriate resources that will provide high quality learning within any setting.”
“Ensuring digital equality and opportunity to our students and staff is at the heart of our digital journey. The strategy supports our College community with access and connectivity to appropriate resources that will provide high quality learning within any setting.”
Microsoft Showcase Colleges form part of Microsoft’s global network of institutions that use its tools and technologies to nurture accessibility, collaboration and communication to improve teaching and learning. The status is awarded to colleges that demonstrate ‘a commitment to education transformation and empowering educators and students to innovate and exercise a growth mindset’.
The College will benefit from the IT giant’s support to deliver personalised learning to students and an enhanced staff development programme, alongside opportunities to host Microsoft-branded educational events.
Alan Crawford, UK Education Modern Workplace Specialist at Microsoft, said: “It has been fantastic to support Barnsley College on their journey to becoming a Microsoft Showcase College this year.
“It has been amazing to see the amount of training and accreditation that has been achieved by the staff and I am sure it will become integral to the College going forward. Congratulations on achieving the recognition you deserve, and I look forward to working with you in the months to come.”
Our recently refurbished SciTech Digital Innovation Hub campus boasts cutting-edge technologies which will benefit students across all curriculum areas by providing unique, leading-edge digital learning environments. The Hub’s next development phase will incorporate new business incubation units; giving local start-ups the opportunity to base them themselves on-campus at the College.
We have also invested in a state-of-the-art Esports Arena which contributes towards our Digital Schoolhouse status. Our Digital School House status sees the College engage with over 500 primary school pupils and teachers every year to educate them on the computing curriculum through play-based learning, sport, esports and physical activity.
For information about our courses visit our courses page. Course information for employers can be found at www.barnsley.ac.uk/employers.
Last updated: 15th April 2021
Originally posted on: 14th April 2021