The Digital Educator Awards Scotland

The Digital Educator Awards Scotland (DEAS) are a new national awards programme designed to recognise and celebrate educators who are using digital technology effectively in teaching, learning, and leadership.

They sit alongside the wider Digital Schools Award Scotland programme but focus specifically on individual educators and practitioners rather than whole schools.

                         

At its core, the programme aims to:

  • Recognise excellent digital practice in education
  • Promote innovation in teaching with technology
  • Encourage sharing of effective approaches across schools and sectors
  • Support professional learning and career development for staff
  • Improve outcomes for learners through better use of digital tools

Who it’s for?

The awards are open to anyone working in education, not just teachers. That includes:

  • Early years practitioners
  • School staff (teaching and support)

The three award pathways

Participants choose one of three pathways, depending on their role and impact:

1. Digital Educator Award

  • Focus: classroom or practitioner-level teaching
  • Recognises effective use of digital tools to improve learning, engagement, and attainment

2. Digital Influencer Award

  •  Focus: collaboration and impact on others
  • For those who support colleagues, lead practice, or drive change across teams/schools

3. Digital Leader Award

  • Focus: strategic leadership
  • For those shaping policy, direction, or whole‑organisation digital strategy

FAQs

When can I apply?

Support for the DEAS awards runs in cohorts. The dates for the next cohort are on the DEAS website (linked above.) There are several recorded webinars available to watch in the resources section of the DEAS site if you have missed the deadline. You can submit an application at any time, as long as you have a Peer Reviwer.

Who will my Peer Reviewer be?

At the moment, your Peer Reviewer will be Meg Rennie (Digital Learning Officer.) This will be until we gain more Peer Reviewer trained staff members. Anyone can become a Peer Reviewer provided they have watched the onboarding webinar (available on DEAS site.)

Do I have to complete the Intel courses or attend the writing retreats?

Both are optional. The writing retreats are designed to allow you the time and space to focus on your application. As part of the DEAS programme you get free access to Intel courses which may benefit your professional development.

Who will be my validator?

Contact mrennie@pkc.gov.uk and we’ll organise a validator for you with the DSAS team.