Learning with confidence: How digital technology is helping schools improve accessibility for all

Eight in 10 learners say that technology makes it easier for them to participate at school (Pearson, 2024). Schools that have recently adopted new technology are seeing improved confidence and independence for all students, including those formally identified as having special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). However, across the UK, assistive technology is still a heavily underutilised asset. Leo Academy Trust they rolled out Chromebooks to staff and students across nine primary schools. Since then, the number of children on the SEN register needing additional intervention programmes has reduced by around one-third. Students feel more empowered to work autonomously in the classroom, with features like screen-readers and voice-to-text reducing the need for additional teaching support. Interestingly, 29 per cent of students choose to use screen readers at different points in their day – even if they have the skills to read themselves. This figure is higher than the p