Harlow College has established itself as a leader in digital innovation, earning recognition as both an EdTech Demonstrator School and an Apple Distinguished School for its transformative approach to teaching and learning. Notably, Harlow College is the only UK college to receive Apple Distinguished School status, a testament to its exceptional use of technology in education.
The college integrates cutting-edge technology, such as the Bodyswaps-VR platform, to enhance soft skills training through immersive virtual environments. This initiative is supported by comprehensive staff development programmes that ensure digital competence across disciplines. With industry-standard facilities and personalised curricula, Harlow College prepares students for future careers, achieving top-tier academic progress and fostering creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. At the heart of this digital transformation are Delta-Dawn Muntean, Digital Manager, Kelly Edwards, Executive Director of Quality and a team of Digital Leaders and Ambassadors, who have been driving forces behind Harlow College's innovative approach for over a decade. Their collaborative leadership has been instrumental in delivering a robust school-based CPD (Continuing Professional Development) programme that enhances teachers' digital skills. This includes initiatives like cross-college staff development days, CPD Tuesdays, and digital drop-in sessions, where educators explore tools and strategies to embed digital capabilities into their teaching practices.
Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Session: Technology Integration for Educators (photo credit to Harlow College)
Global Recognition and Impact
The college's achievements have garnered international attention, exemplified by high-profile visits from technology leaders and education experts:
- Apple CEO Tim Cook's Visit: On January 19, 2018, Tim Cook visited Harlow College to witness firsthand how the institution was implementing coding and app development in its curriculum. Cook celebrated the college's adoption of the "Everyone Can Code" programme, designed by Apple to teach mobile app development using Swift.
- Danish EdTech Experts’ visit: Solution Advisor for Apple & Education，Thomas Bach Piekut and Malene Myhre from Denmark visited Harlow College in Dec 2024 to explore its innovative educational practices. During their tour, they focused on the college's groundbreaking technology integration, including the strategic use of iPads in teaching, learning, and assessment.
- Paul Beashel's Visit: Paul Beashel, a distinguished education leader and Co-Director of Excellence First Enterprise Consultancy Ltd, recently visited Harlow College. With over 30 years of experience in educational innovation and leadership development, Paul was impressed by the college's use of the Bodyswaps-VR training platform. He experienced a session with Childcare students, praising the college's efforts in integrating this technology across disciplines.
- Future International Collaboration: Inspired by Harlow College's achievements, Paul plans to bring a group of graduate trainee students from China to the college in March 2025. This visit aims to showcase how digital tools can revolutionise teaching and assessment practices, further cementing Harlow College's reputation as a global hub for educational innovation. A one-day study visit by a group of Hongkong teachers has also been scheduled for 21st Jan 2025.
These visits underscore Harlow College's growing international reputation and its commitment to sharing best practices in educational technology. By consistently pushing the boundaries of digital innovation in education and training, Harlow College is not only preparing its students for the future workforce but also serving as a model for educational institutions worldwide.
Transforming Education: Paul Beashel Experiencing Soft Skills Training Through Virtual Reality ((photo credit to Harlow College)
Top image: Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, to meet staff and students on Jan 19, 2018 to see how the college is adding coding and app development to skills for the students in their future careers. （Photo credit to Harlow College）
