Today, Sheffield Girls’ welcomed educators and digital learning leads from across the country for a day of innovation, collaboration and inspiration at our Google Education Summit.
As one of the region’s only Google Reference Schools, we were proud to open our doors to colleagues from across the GDST and beyond to share best practice, explore new tools, and celebrate the transformational role of technology in learning.
The day began with a warm welcome from Head, Alex Wilson, followed by an overview of the GDST and a presentation on our Google Reference School journey. We were delighted to showcase the ways in which digital learning has been embedded across all phases of the school, empowering pupils and staff to create, collaborate and think critically.
“Becoming a Google Reference School has been a hugely exciting journey for us,” said Alex Wilson, Head of Sheffield Girls’. “Digital learning is now woven into everything we do. Rather than seeing it as an add-on, we use it as a tool for curiosity, creativity and confidence. Today’s summit was a wonderful celebration of how technology, when used with purpose, can truly enhance teaching and learning.”
Throughout the day, guests took part in a series of interactive workshops, including:
- Analysing Student Progress Data in Google Sheets
- Gemini in Google Classroom
- Chromebook Device Playground
- Supercharging Learning with Gemini and Notebook LM
- Google Admin Console Best Practice
- Evidence-informed EdTech
- Encouraging Student Agency
Delegates also toured classrooms to see how pupils at Sheffield Girls’ use Google tools every day, from junior pupils managing their own projects and portfolios in Google Classroom to Sixth Form students harnessing AI to research, collaborate and present their ideas.
Networking over lunch and refreshments offered time to share ideas and connect with colleagues, with some guests enjoying a short walk to the nearby Sheffield Botanical Gardens before returning for the afternoon sessions and closing keynote.
Stephen Wiles, Head of Digital Innovation at Sheffield Girls’, added: “We’re passionate about using technology in meaningful ways and giving our pupils real-world skills while keeping creativity and critical thinking at the heart of everything we do. Hosting today’s summit allowed us to collaborate with other schools and showcase how the Google ecosystem is helping to shape more confident, independent learners.”
The event concluded with the Google Road Map presentation, closing keynote and a celebration of shared learning.
As a Google Reference School, Sheffield Girls’ continues to lead the way in purposeful innovation, empowering every girl to explore, question and achieve through technology.
We would like to extend our thanks to our visiting speakers, colleagues from the GDST and guests today for making the summit such a success.
