Digital Schools Awards and Ygam announce partnership to strengthen digital wellbeing in schools
New partnership gives schools access to free training, resources and support, combining Digital Schools Awards' whole-school approach to online safety with Ygam's expertise in gaming and gambling harms
Pupil workshops form an important part of teaching about the harms of online gaming and gambling
Digital Schools Awards (DSA) and Ygam have announced a new partnership for the 2026-27 academic year, giving schools in England and Scotland access to Ygam’s specialist education around the harms caused by gaming and gambling.
Throughout the year, the partnership will provide free teacher training, pupil workshops, curriculum-linked resources and expert guidance for parents and carers harms through DSA’s Digital Wellbeing programme, supporting schools to strengthen digital wellbeing, online safety and safeguarding.
Recent research from Ofcom reported that 88% of 3–17-year-olds play games on a device.
Ygam research found that 91% of parents support lessons on gaming harms in schools and 83% support lessons on better awareness of the harm done by gambling, yet only 40% said they were aware of their child having received such education.
The UK Government has signalled a greater focus on online safety through the Curriculum and Assessment Review and the updated statutory RSHE guidance.
The new guidance reflects the realities of growing up in an increasingly digital world, with stronger emphasis on helping children and young people understand and navigate online risks, including those associated with gaming, gambling and gambling-like features.
The partnership will help close that gap by connecting DSA’s recognised whole-school approach to digital wellbeing with Ygam’s expert training and resources, providing a clear route from strategy to action. The programme will help build staff confidence and support informed conversations with children, young people and families about life online.
Joined-up approach to digital safety
Anna Doody, Director of Programmes at Digital Schools Awards, said: "Schools need a joined-up approach to digital wellbeing and online safety, not one-off interventions.
“By bringing together Digital Schools Awards’ whole-school approach and Ygam's specialist expertise in gaming and gambling harms, we're giving schools access to teacher training, guidance and practical resources that help educators build confidence and support young people effectively."
Linda Scollins Smith, Director of Programmes at Ygam, said: “Collaboration is vital to effective prevention, and education is one of our most powerful safeguarding tools.
“Through this partnership, we can support schools with specialist training, expert advice, resources and schemes of work mapped to the curriculum. Together, we can give educators the confidence to bring these important subjects into the classroom and help young people understand risk, stay safe and thrive in an increasingly digital world.”
Schools interested in strengthening their approach to digital wellbeing and online safety can register for the Digital Wellbeing Award at digitalschoolsawards.com.
