Harlow College is delighted to announce that we have been recognised as an Apple Distinguished School for 2017–2019.

The recognition is for the College's enterprising approach to transforming learning, teaching and assessment: by creating personalised curricula; instilling and developing digital confidence in line with industry needs and investing in a five year plan to upskill all staff to be digitally competent.

Apple Distinguished Schools are centres of innovation, leadership, and educational excellence that use Apple products to inspire creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. They showcase innovative uses of technology in learning, teaching, and the education environment and have documented results of academic accomplishment.

The plaque was unveiled by Nao, the College’s resident robot.  

Karen Spencer, Principal of Harlow College, said: “As a College we truly believe in our strapline ‘Not just Courses. Careers’. We therefore prioritised investment in the development of new technologies to make sure our students are well prepared for an ever changing future.”

Kelly Edwards, Director of Professional Development explained: “Students have been able to personalise their learning and use technology in innovative and creative ways. This has helped them throughout their studies and will continue to do so when they move into the world of employment as digitally competent citizens.”

The selection of Harlow College as an Apple Distinguished School highlights our success as an innovative and compelling learning environment that engages students and provides tangible evidence of academic accomplishment.

All full-time 16-18 year old students at the College have an iPad, which they are encouraged to use in any of the new learning zones across the campus, designed to provide a real insight into a professional working environment.

Media is one such space, where Apple TVs are used to enhance the learning experience. The iHub is another area where students can use the VR programmes or work collaboratively using their iPads or the interactive touch tables.

Kelly Edwards: “We are preparing our students for the world of work by equipping them with the tools to learn and by encouraging them to embrace the digital world around us. Our aim is to help forge the individuals who will have the skills to go into the ever changing world of work or higher education and whose skills will still be valued in 20 years’ time.”

Harlow College is in the top 1% of colleges for academic progress. This means our students perform better than students studying at 6th form or colleges elsewhere.

We are graded Good by Ofsted and have won awards for our innovative approach to learning and teaching. Our students get great results, for example, 80% of A Level grades achieved were A*-C. 54% of our BTEC Extended Diploma students achieved DDD (triple distinction).

Our teaching staff have industry expertise and this is matched by industry standard facilities, including specialist workshops, classrooms with the latest technology, as well as great social spaces to relax.

Harlow College Apple iBook is available to download here: