A guest blog by Sumeet Bhatia, Sales Business Development Manager.
“At Cisco, we are dedicated to providing exceptional technology solutions to schools, empowering educators to prioritise their students’ learning and wellbeing. Connecting the classroom unlocks a wealth of opportunities for pupils, fostering innovative and inspiring approaches to education”.
The UK is at a crucial crossroads in its educational landscape, with a bold ambition to transform its school infrastructure to foster safe, sustainable, and digitally integrated learning environments. Our purpose is to enhance the lives of learners, educators, and communities through the power of technology – enhancing education, and career opportunities. Cisco is proud to be at the forefront of helping policymakers, educators, and communities embrace this shift, driving a more connected and innovative future for UK schools.
The Need for Rebuilding and Retrofitting Schools
The UK Government’s commitment to rebuilding and retrofitting school buildings is a welcome step toward ensuring students learn in the safest, most comfortable environments. With an additional £550 million earmarked for the school rebuilding program in the 2024 Autumn Budget, over 500 schools across the UK are set to benefit. However, to truly futureproof these spaces, technology must be integrated into the design and functioning of school estates.
We see an exciting opportunity to make UK schools digitally connected, sustainable, and innovative. By investing in smart infrastructure, schools can reduce costs, lower carbon emissions, and provide students with the technological tools needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world.
Digital Innovation: A Key to Advancing Education
Education today is as much about fostering creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking as it is about imparting knowledge. To support these outcomes, schools must evolve. One of the most promising ways to transform schools is through technology that integrates seamlessly into the learning environment.
Programmes like Connect the Classroom are already enhancing internet speeds in schools, ensuring that students have access to the tools and resources needed to excel. However, this is just the beginning. New technologies are enabling schools to monitor and manage their environmental conditions, from CO2 levels and temperature to lighting, ensuring that students are always in an optimal learning environment.
The UK can look to international examples, such as the Office of Educational Technology in the US, which has developed national policies to support the integration of technology in education. Similarly, the UK’s focus on technological innovation aligns with global best practices and presents an opportunity to shape the future of learning environments.
Technology Can Drive Sustainability and Improve Learning Outcomes
The UK’s ambition to reach Net Zero by 2050 provides an additional impetus to innovate school infrastructure. Reducing carbon emissions in schools is critical, as the public sector remains a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s 2023 report, public sector buildings must reduce their direct emissions by 75% by 2037.
Innovative technologies can help schools achieve these goals while improving teaching and learning. For example, IoT sensors can monitor classroom air quality, temperature, and lighting, making real-time adjustments to optimize the learning environment. These solutions not only improve student well-being but also teach sustainability by involving students in environmental management.
At the same time, schools can leverage digital platforms to equip students with the necessary skills for a green economy. In partnership with Skills England, Cisco is supporting the development of digital and green skills for students, ensuring they are prepared for future roles in sustainable industries.
Case Study: The Biophilic School
An example of what’s possible with innovative technology in schools is the transformation of St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy in Derby. After an arson attack in 2020, the school had to rebuild from the ground up. As part of the Government’s GenZero pilot programme, the new school building is designed with biophilic principles in mind, creating a learning environment that connects students with nature and sustainability. Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) programme worked with the school to integrate technology that enhances both the curriculum and the building’s operations, demonstrating how tech can foster innovation while being eco-friendly.
The Path Forward: Making Digital Innovation a Reality
The UK is ready to innovate its schools digitally, but this transformation requires strong leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to sustainability. 83% of teachers believe that creating smart, sustainable school buildings will benefit their schools, and with the right technology, we can meet the country’s educational and environmental goals.
Cisco welcomes recent policy developments to enhance the sustainability of the UK educational system but, as a nation, we must now take active steps to ensure that all students are taught in safe and innovative learning environments. From reducing carbon emissions to enhancing student engagement, the potential benefits of integrating technology into school estates are immense. To achieve these ambitions, we encourage policymakers to use effective partnerships with the private sector to introduce advanced technology into the school system as a solution to innovating school infrastructure.
For over 20 years, Cisco’s approach to teaching and learning has been empowering educators to take on new challenges, to read more about our learnings and vision, view our whitepaper here.
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