At Microsoft, we believe that information and communications technology (ICT) can be a powerful catalyst to improving teaching and learning for all and that we should play our part in broadening access to ICT and engaging and empowering students and teachers to use technology in creative and innovative ways.

Through our Partners in Learning initiative Microsoft can make a contribution by working together with schools, teachers, the government and partners from the education community to help give today’s children the best possible start in life.

Through our 3 year partnership with the TDA, we have undertaken carefully selected projects with the goals of:

• Raising levels of teacher confidence in the use of ICT: from initial teacher training to supporting teachers CPD and the training needs of the wider school workforce
• Driving innovation with the use of ICT

This Cross Curricular ICT project is another TDA collaboration working with Hampshire County Council. Five Hampshire based schools are working together to support the development of innovative uses of ICT in facilitating collaborative approaches to teaching and learning in secondary mathematics, design and technology, science and related subjects such as physical education.

The QCA have identified project based learning as a key area for schools to develop, this project aims to support that curriculum shift and one of the key outcomes of this project is the dissemination of guidance materials, to encourage replication on a national scale.

For more information on Partners in Learning, please visit www.microsoft.com/uk/partnersinlearning, more free materials and resources are available at www.microsoft.com/uk/curriculum