Related pages:
Gemma Gwilliam: Head of Digital Learning, Education and Innovation and Strategic Lead
Gemma Gwilliam
Gemma is an esteemed technology teacher and edtech thought-leader, having worked across all year groups from classroom teacher to leadership roles, in both private and state schools alike, globally. She has a sincere love and understanding for how technology enhances teaching and learning, which she has proven at both a regional and international level. Her specialism includes reducing teacher workload, and equipping all children with the necessary skills to learn, and work, in the 21st century. Gemma is passionate about developing a culture that enables everyone to be able to select the right tool, for the right activity for the right outcome – and is able to make this happen. Gemma knows the barriers she faces with her dyslexia and uses her lived experience to ensure access to technology is built in for all.
In 2021, Gemma joined the Central Team at United Learning as a Cross Phase Educational Technologist: supporting schools across the south coast to develop their own digital strategies and to make effective use of technology for all stakeholders. During this time, she also played an active part in the Department of Education’s national EdTech Demonstrator programme, which included: producing materials, offering webinars and training sessions, and working with senior leaders (both at school and trust level) to develop their digital strategy.
As a part of this, Gemma also worked with the Portsmouth Education Partnership to develop the citywide digital city project and supported schools throughout the city with areas such as 365/Google training, shift to the cloud projects, procurement, strategy writing and training. With her experience in coaching and mentoring, she has also been supporting ITEs and ECTs/NQTs across the south coast and through the United Teaching Network as they begin their teaching careers so that they have the confidence and expertise to teach in the 21st century classroom.
Gemma now joins Portsmouth as the strategic lead for digital across the city and Head of Digital Learning, Education and Innovation.
Achievements
- BA (Hons) Primary Education and Teaching with QTS
- Global Master in Business Administration
- Certified Microsoft Innovative Educator
- Apple Teacher
- Level One Google Educator
- Head of Digital Learning, Education and Innovation
- Strategic Lead for PEP Priority 2
Skills
- Digital Strategy visioning and writing linked to school, Trust, regional and national improvement plans
- Cross phase/city collaboration including change management, procurement and governance
- Experienced in successful integration of systems and procedures
- Whole organisational shift to the cloud projects (vision and implementation)
- Enhancing teaching and learning based on academic-research and relevant pedagogy
- Current technology audits and reviews
- Curriculum integration for early years to KS5 (TBC)
- Staff training and coaching, mentoring and performance management, including wider teams
- Website design and marketing
- Computing curriculum and e-safety
- Digital Champion Leadership
Activity
- Learning Dust Podcast: LearningDust 2.19 – Gemma Gwilliam
- A discussion on Digital Strategy with Dominic Norrish, Neelam Parmer, James Browning, Philippa Wraithmell and Jose Picardo: A discussion on school digital strategy on Vimeo
- Forum Strategy Article “Reducing Workload Through Collaboration and Digital Platforms Across Academy Trusts”: Reducing Workload Through Collaboration and Digital Platforms Across Academy Trusts | Forum Strategy
- Schools and Academies Show (November 2021, March 2022)
Digital Drive Team
The Digital Drive Team is a group of volunteers, who meet three times a year to support the “Portsmouth: The Digital City” project. They represent a range of voices from across the city to ensure that the main vision and objectives are strategically embedded to ensure the best outcomes around the use of “Technology for children, technology for adults, technology for all”, so that together, our city continues to go from strength to strength and is recognised for it’s commitment to improving outcomes for all.