Drummond School in Inverness has received a donation of mobile phones from local organisation Gadget Refuge, with support from the school’s Parent Council, confirmed on 28 April 2026.
The devices have been repurposed for use in classrooms, where they will act as dedicated cameras to capture and record pupils’ work as part of their day to day learning.
Each phone has been set up without internet access, ensuring they are used safely while still allowing staff to document progress through learning journals, classroom displays and the Google Classroom platform.
What this creates is a simple but effective way for teachers to record moments that might otherwise be lost, from small steps forward to work that pupils are proud to share with their families.
In practical terms, it removes a barrier that often exists in busy classrooms, where time, access to equipment and safeguarding considerations can limit how learning is captured and communicated.
The result is a clearer and more consistent picture of each pupil’s journey, built through real moments rather than occasional snapshots.
It also gives families a more immediate and meaningful connection to what is happening in school, helping them see progress as it unfolds rather than hearing about it after the fact.
Behind the scenes, the donation reflects a strong piece of partnership working, where a local organisation, an active Parent Council and a school have come together to solve a real problem in a straightforward way.
There is no grand gesture here, just a practical idea delivered properly, and that is often where the most lasting impact is found.
Fiona Shearer, acting Head Teacher at Drummond School, said the initiative will make a genuine difference to both staff and pupils.
“I was delighted to hear about this initiative at Drummond School this week.
“This will make such a difference for staff in being able to share pupils’ learning with their families and to record progress in learning.
“This is such a good example of local collaboration making a real difference for children and young people at Drummond School.
“We are very grateful to our Parent Council for organising this and to the team at Gadget Refuge for their generous donation to the school.”
The decision to use offline devices keeps safeguarding firmly in place while still allowing teachers to make full use of the technology in front of them.
For staff, it means less friction and more consistency in how progress is recorded, while for pupils it means their efforts can be recognised and shared more easily.
For families, it opens a clearer window into classroom life, turning everyday learning into something visible and valued beyond the school gates.
In a time when schools are expected to do more with less, this kind of targeted support stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness.
It is a reminder that the right idea, backed by the right people, can make a meaningful difference without needing to be complicated.
A straightforward donation has given Drummond School a practical way to capture and share learning, strengthening the link between classroom and home while keeping pupils’ progress visible, valued and safely recorded every day.
