Tes editor Jon Severs said: “We received an unparalleled number of entries this year, which is testament to the great work we have all done during the pandemic. The schools that have been shortlisted should be proud – it’s a remarkable achievement.”

Tes is the influential modern, digital, global education organisation that started out in print more than 100 years ago as The Times Educational Supplement. The annual Tes awards are widely valued by schools as providing benchmarks for the sector, also providing reassurance to parents on their investment in education: “All shortlisted schools can demonstrate value for money to their parents.”

Being shortlisted for this award recognises the sophisticated digital strategy and related infrastructure developed by the Stephen Perse Foundation over a 10 year period. Designed to cover all foreseeable circumstances, the investment has resulted in a high level of preparedness and flexibility to react to changing needs. The mandatory schools’ closures in March 2020 year due to the escalating COVID pandemic, and again in January this year, allowed these capabilities to be demonstrated with positive results. A foresighted investment in digital technologies has enabled all Stephen Perse schools to become adept at a blended approach to teaching and learning, way ahead of many other schools in the UK. This has resulted in a multiple tools approach allowing teaching staff to develop skills and the confidence to deliver the curriculum with the tools that most effectively drive interaction and learning. When schools closed in March last year the schools in the Stephen Perse Foundation community, enabled by technology, were able to deliver the normal curriculum and timetable and maintain the core elements of our educational vision while children were learning at home.

Eight schools have been included in the shortlist and the winner will be announced in an online ceremony on 30 April.