Sunnyside Spencer Academy has been designated an Apple Distinguished School for 2025-2028

Schools apply and are selected for this distinction based on their commitment to continuous innovation in education and using Apple products to inspire, imagine, and impact teaching and learning. Apple Distinguished Schools are centres of leadership and educational excellence, with a clear vision for how technology-rich environments support learning goals.

In Apple Distinguished Schools, forward-thinking leaders and their communities work to inspire, imagine, and impact teaching and learning, and they have documented results of academic accomplishments. Schools all over the world are using iPad and Mac to transform learning. As teachers incorporate technology into their lessons, they empower students to lead, learn, and thrive, to discover new opportunities, and to make their world a better place.

At Sunnyside Spencer Academy, pupils are empowered to lead, learn, and thrive through dynamic teaching enriched by Apple technology. iPads and Apple Apps enable personalised, creative learning experiences where independence, collaboration, and digital fluency are developed as essential skills for the modern world, enhancing engagement, supporting diverse needs, and fostering greater curiosity. Through this inclusive approach, all pupils - including those with SEND and EAL - access high-quality learning opportunities, ensuring every child is prepared to confidently navigate an ever-changing, digital future.

Verity Lee, Vice Principal & Apple Learning Coach, said: "We are thrilled that Sunnyside Spencer Academy has been recognised as an Apple Distinguished School. This prestigious award celebrates not only our team’s dedication to giving every child the very best, but also the enthusiasm of our pupils and wider school community. By harnessing Apple technology, we’ve created a learning environment where children don’t just keep up with the digital age - they’re empowered to lead it. This recognition affirms our commitment to closing the digital divide and ensuring every child has the tools, confidence, and opportunities to succeed."

Principal, Sallyann Mitchell, commented: "We are incredibly proud of our achievement of being recognised as an Apple Distinguished School for inspiring, imagining, and impacting teaching and learning school-wide through continuous innovation. This award would not have been possible without the passion of our staff, the enthusiasm and skills of our children, and the continued support from parents and carers. We look forward to working with the Apple Distinguished School community to inspire us to share our learning, be inspired by others, and encourage our students to become future digital leaders.”

Kate Green, Director of Secondary Education at Spencer Academies Trust, added: "As a trust, we are extremely proud that Sunnyside Spencer has been recognised as an Apple Distinguished School.  Over recent years, the staff team have skilfully developed an approach which utilises the best of technology to inspire children to learn all they can. Technology at Sunnyside brings the curriculum to life, brings a depth to personalised feedback and captures achievement in a way that all children can explain. The use of technology has brought a level of confidence to children which will truly set them up for the modern world.”

This prestigious recognition also connects Sunnyside Spencer Academy to an international community of leaders in educational excellence. As an Apple Distinguished School, Sunnyside will collaborate with like-minded peers across the world, host school visits to inspire others, and continue to explore new opportunities to innovate with Apple technology.

For more information about Apple Distinguished Schools, visit: Apple Distinguished Schools.

To find out more about Sunnyside’s work and becoming an Apple Distinguished School, see the video below...