SCHOOLS across Ayrshire are blazing a trail with their use of digital technology that bodes well for the future workforce needs of the country.

Schools came together on October 23 for the South Ayrshire Learning Festival supported by HP, AMD, Digital Schools Awards and Clickview.

The festival was held at Ayr Academy, and 57 schools received the Digital Schools Award for their efforts embracing new ways of learning.

Dr Katharine Jewitt, Digital Schools Awards validator and keynote speaker at the event, said the programme provides a framework to integrate digital skills into the curriculum.

The award is assessed against five criteria – leadership and vision, use of digital technology to deliver the curriculum, school culture, professional development and resources and infrastructure.

She said: "Achieving the award helps to boost confidence and improve digital competencies in schools.

"A key challenge we face in Scottish schools is a decrease in learners taking computer science and digital.

"In Scotland, only 16 per cent taking computer science are girls, and there’s been a decline in educators.

“The Digital Schools Awards provides a credible solution to addressing the national issues of digital skills shortages."

Find out more about the scheme at www.digitalschoolsawards.com.