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All Schools

The Digital City project

On Monday 19 January, Gemma Gwilliam (Head of Digital Learning, Education and Innovation) for the “Portsmouth: The Digital City” project launched the RISE Universal SE Digital Partnership.

This DfE funded programme supports education communities across the following 19 local authorities:
Bracknell Forest, Brighton & Hove, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Medway, Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire, Portsmouth, Reading, Slough, Southampton, Surrey, West Berkshire, West Sussex, Windsor & Maidenhead, and Wokingham.

Running until March 2026, the partnership has a clear and ambitious vision:

To create a digitally empowered South East Region where every learner, educator and community member can thrive.

Through an evidence based model of digital transformation, the RISE Universal SE Digital Partnership aims to:
• improve standards in English and Maths
• reduce workload
• support inclusive and accessible practice for all learners

Building on the legacy of the “Portsmouth: the Digital City” model, the partnership supports schools, colleges, MATs, leaders and local authority teams to narrow the digital divide and develop sustainable, high quality digital practice. This includes strategic guidance, tools and professional learning to support effective and impactful digital innovation.

Programme Structure

The programme is delivered through three interconnected strands:

  1. Technology for Children
  2. Technology for Adults
  3. Technology for All

These strands are supported by a dedicated in house team alongside nationally recognised partners, bringing together local knowledge and sector leading digital expertise.

Getting Involved

If you would like further information about how your school, college, MAT or LA team can engage with the partnership, please contact:
info@portsmouththedigitalcity.co.uk

It is free to register, and by registering schools, trusts and LA officials will have access to:

  • A shared digital toolkit
  • More than 15 webinars (the first is on 29 January)
  • Showcase school visits
  • Face to face training sessions and events

Please note: the programme of webinars starts next week.

I also have a copy of the slide-deck and a recording of the launch webinar if anyone would like to know more, but please note these are not for wider sharing – just for information.

Webinar Programme Overview

The webinar programme is set out below to give a sense of the topics covered:

  • Monday 19 January, 09:30–10:30 – Understanding the RISE Universal SE Digital Partnership: The Vision and Impact
  • Thursday 29 January, 13:30–14:30 – Is Your Infrastructure Ready? A Technical Audit for Digital Strategy
  • Thursday 29 January, 15:30–16:30 – Google Accessibility Tools: Fostering Independence
  • Friday 30 January, 09:00–10:00 – Microsoft Accessibility Tools: Empowering All Learners
  • Wednesday 4 February, 09:30–10:30 – Technology for Writing: Elevating Literacy Outcomes
  • Wednesday 4 February, 11:00–12:00 – Technology for Reading: Deepening Comprehension and Fluency
  • Thursday 5 February, 15:30–16:30 – Hardware Accessibility Tools: Quick Wins for Inclusion
  • Monday 23 February, 13:30–14:30 – Technology for Oracy: Boosting Speaking and Listening Skills
  • Wednesday 25 February, 13:00–14:00 – Technology to Support Children with SEND: Overcoming Barriers
  • Thursday 5 March, 15:30–16:30 – AI for Maths: Tools for Problem-Solving and Mastery
  • Monday 9 March, 15:30–16:30 – AI for Adaptive Teaching: Personalising the Curriculum
  • Tuesday 10 March, 13:30–14:30 – Technology for Early Years: Ensuring a Strong Start
  • Monday 16 March, 15:00–16:00 – Technology to Improve Outcomes in English: A Whole-School Approach
  • Thursday 19 March, 15:30–16:30 – Technology to Improve Outcomes in Maths: Practical Classroom Strategies
  • Thursday 26 March, 15:30–16:30 – The Strategic ‘So What?’: Embedding Digital Change