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Nintendo UK has announced that it has joined the Digital Schoolhouse programme as its new lead partner, a collaboration which will see the gaming giant bring play-based learning to thousands of pupils throughout this academic year.

Digital Schoolhouse is a not-for-profit programme delivered by the UK games industry trade body Ukie; Nintendo UK's new role will see it "bridge the gap between industry and education" to an estimated 32,000 pupils across the programme's 55 schools and colleges, bringing a mixture of fun, innovation, and creativity to the classroom. Nintendo UK is also set to support Digital Schoolhouse's national schools esports tournament.

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A press release covering the announcement notes that the 'Digital Schoolhouse Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Team Battle' will provide "an immersive career experience for students allowing them to develop practical and soft skills with participation in professional esports roles", with the hybrid nature of the Nintendo Switch allowing for flexible and personalised learning.

Kalpesh Tailor, Head of Communications at Nintendo UK, has shared the following:

“Nintendo UK is extremely excited to be working together with Ukie’s Digital Schoolhouse as lead partner. The Digital Schoolhouse programme uniquely combines computing, fun, creativity and innovation, all of which are synonymous and at the heart of Nintendo’s values. Through this collaborative partnership we aim to reach more teachers and pupils than ever before, in order to help inspire the next generation of young minds across the UK.

Through Digital Schoolhouse Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Team Battle with Nintendo Switch, as well as through other play-based learning initiatives, we want to be able to provide young adults with fun and unique experiences that will form positive lasting memories as well as foster the development of skillsets within students which they can take with them into their future.”

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Partnerships such as this one have helped Digital Schoolhouse to grow rapidly in recent times, so it's great to see Nintendo actively joining the cause, too. Digital Schoolhouse director, Shahneila Saeed says, “We’re delighted Nintendo UK has agreed to throw its support behind Digital Schoolhouse. DSH has evolved enormously in just three years and their support means we can reach more pupils and teachers than ever with our transformative and inspiring programme".