The schools have received the recognition for their impressive technological initiatives aimed at both students and teachers

Dubai, October 07, 2021: Repton Al Barsha and Repton Abu Dhabi have been reaccredited as Apple Distinguished Schools for 2021-2024. 

Both schools have received recognition for the unique implementation of Apple technology in the classrooms, innovation in learning, teaching and the overall school environment. 

Apple Distinguished Schools are centres of innovation, leadership and educational excellence, and use Apple technology to connect students to the world, fuel creativity, deepen collaboration and make learning personal.

Reton Al Barsha hosts a number of unique initiatives to integrate technology in students’ approach to learning – including the annual ‘Creativity Festival’, whereby schools across the UAE join together, developing creative responses anchored in Art, Music and Digital Presentation to solve different real-world challenges. Teachers have successfully completed the Apple Teacher learning programme – a self-paced professional development course that fosters the skills necessary to use technology purposefully and creatively – while  every teacher and assistant has received training to use in-built accessibility features as well as Apple Classroom to personalise learning for each child. 

Zoe Woolley, Headmistress of Repton Al Barsha says, “The re-appointment of Repton Al Barsha as an Apple Distinguished School highlights our success and ongoing commitment to creating a compelling learning environment, where teachers are fully equipped to help develop our students into innovative leaders of the future, in a world driven by technology.”

At Repton Abu Dhabi, students are equipped with their own iPad, coding is a timetabled subject and children are exposed to resources such as interactive Spheros, Beebots and drones as well as enjoy access to robotics challenges. The school has a dedicated Student Digital Team; with Apple Teacher trained staff to ensure that technology is implemented in a safe and controlled manner. Its pioneering ‘Annual Digital Summit’ event sees hundreds of students and teachers across the UAE collaborate each year, dissecting important and topical issues and developing strategies centred on the purposeful use of technology within the school curricula.

Gillian Hammond, Principal of Repton Abu Dhabi says, “Our students are continuously encouraged to solve problems in new ways, particularly through STEAM subjects.”  He also adds that they integrate problem-solving strategies through the use of coding and technology in lessons and activities in an effort to encourage computational thinking.