A KEIGHLEY school is on the verge of embracing new technology to help its pupils gain the skills needed to succeed in the classroom and beyond.

All University Academy Keighley (UAK) students will soon be receiving a computer to support them with their learning.

The school is also taking on a system to access to a range of Google educational applications.

Anthony Simpson, assistant vice principal at UAK, said: “As a learning community, we are very excited about the prospect of our students having access to this cutting-edge technology.

“We believe the benefits to our students’ learning will be significant, and we look forward to being able to use Google Apps for Education, both inside and outside the classroom.”

A UAKspokesman added: “We believe all our learners should be equipped with the skills for success. We want to develop highly skilled and creative learners, who can work collaboratively with others and who have high aspirations.

“From April, all UAK students will be given a Chromebook computer. Each of these will be the student’s own device, for which they are responsible.

“We’re also moving to a system where we use the Google suite of educational applications to support and develop learning within school. All existing students will be given a device, manufactured by Acer, and each new intake cohort will be given a computer as part of their essential equipment on joining the academy.”

The initiative will help pupils to become “responsible digital citizens”, and will prepare them fully for the world of further education and employment.

She added UAK will be one of the first schools nationally to begin using both Chromebook computers and Google as an integral part of its teaching methods.

She explained: “UAK staff spoke at a national convention on using technology in the classroom, where they shared their vision of digital resources being fully embedded in the curriculum, so every lesson is an ICT lesson.

“We are working closely with Google and one of their premier partners, GeTech, to show other schools locally and nationally the impact this initiative can have on teaching, learning and student progress.

“Within UAK, designated members of staff and students are to be ‘Google Champions’.

“They are taking on a leadership role, working together to drive the initiative forward.”