POWER UP LEARNING
How Esports is Revolutionising Education
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, preparing students for the future means looking beyond traditional classrooms. This year, we took a bold and exciting step by becoming the exclusive UK school affiliate of Williams Esports, a division of the renowned Williams Racing team. It’s a partnership that signals a fresh approach to learning – where esports meets education in meaningful, future-facing ways.
As part of the affiliation, Williams Esports has donated six professional gaming rigs – full-scale, high-spec equipment – to our three schools. These are more than gaming stations – they are launchpads for innovation, collaboration and digital literacy.
A New Kind of Learning
Esports is no longer just about playing games. It’s a multi-billion-dollar global industry offering real opportunities in technology, media and design. At ACS Cobham, it’s become a tool to build key skills that go far beyond the screen, including:
Teamwork and collaboration: Students compete in teams, learning to communicate effectively, delegate responsibilities, and support one another in high-pressure environments.
Strategic and critical thinking: Competitive games often require layered strategy, problem-solving, and adaptability.
Leadership and initiative: Whether captaining a team or organising a tournament, esports offers leadership opportunities that build confidence and accountability.
Digital media literacy: Students explore the production side of esports –live-streaming, editing, branding, and event promotion – gaining hands-on experience with digital tools.
Time management and focus: Training and tournament preparation require self-discipline and the ability to manage time and tasks effectively.
Our aim is to showcase the power that affiliations and partnerships can have on student learning. This collaboration shows how we can enhance our curriculum by connecting education with real-world, forward-looking industries.
Esports in Action
Esports complements our broader strategy to expand access to digital tools and learning environments. Newly opened multi-use science labs and a high-tech circular computer suite provide our students with hands-on opportunities in STEM and design-based learning, with esports sitting at the heart of this digital ecosystem.
This affiliation with Williams Esports is a transformative step for our students. By combining education with cutting-edge technology, we’re not just encouraging a passion for gaming – we’re preparing our students for emerging careers in digital media, game development and beyond.
Why Esports Belongs in Schools
Esports brings together technology, creativity and competition in a way that speaks to today’s students. We see it as a bridge between entertainment and education – helping students engage with learning in new, dynamic ways while acquiring skills that are highly relevant in today’s world. It’s more than a game. It’s a step toward the future of education – and we’re proud to be leading the way.
