Inspring young digital thinkers: computing at King Edward's junior School

Computing at King Edward’s Junior School develops curious, creative and confident learners, combining digital skills with real-world problem solving through hands-on projects and national competition success.

Mrs Cook, ICT Co-ordinator, unpacks learning at KES.

In today’s rapidly changing world, technology is not just shaping the future, it is transforming the way our children think, create and discover every day. In Computing here at KES, there is a real sense of excitement as children embrace challenges, experiment with ideas and take pride in bringing their thinking to life through their digital and creative skills.

They are not only learning how technology works, but how to question it, shape it and use it responsibly in a world increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence. We are passionate about nurturing curious, resilient learners who are confident to explore, make mistakes and think critically, ensuring they are not just prepared for the future, but inspired to help find solutions for problems that may not exist yet.

Hands-on learning in coding, robotics and digital creativity

This term, pupils across all year groups have been buzzing with creativity, collaboration and innovation, embracing the challenge of thinking like designers, engineers and programmers. Children have worked to design, build and programme everything from Lego Robotics to escape rooms in Scratch and retro Micro:bit games.

Through these projects, they have developed real-world skills such as overcoming challenges, resilience and teamwork.

Applying Computing skills to real-world challenges

A defining feature of Computing at KES is the opportunity for pupils to tackle genuine real-world challenges, most notably through participation in the national PA Raspberry Pi Competition.

This nationally recognised competition challenges pupils to design and build technology-based solutions to address real societal issues using a Raspberry Pi microcomputer. 

KES has built a strong reputation in the competition, reaching the national finals for four consecutive years - a reflection of the School’s sustained commitment to creativity, problem-solving and purposeful use of technology.

In 2026, two teams from Years 5 and 6, the Raspberry Penguins and Pi Pals, were selected as finalists from over 150 schools nationwide, progressing to the finals held at Google’s London headquarters earlier this year. 

Both teams exemplified the spirit of the competition:

• Raspberry Penguins developed a QR code-based lost property system, using Python and scanning technology to help return lost items efficiently while promoting sustainability and reducing waste.
• Pi Pals designed an inclusive app to support children in hospital, enabling them to stay connected, access learning and express their emotions, with features carefully designed for accessibility, including support for users with dyslexia and ADHD. 

Their work was assessed by a panel of senior industry experts, including leaders from organisations such as Google Cloud, Rolls-Royce and the Ministry of Defence, highlighting the real-world relevance and technical ambition of the projects. 

KES pupils were highly praised for their innovation, creativity and technical excellence, particularly for the way their ideas addressed genuine societal challenges, with the Raspberry Penguins awarded the prestigious Inspiration Award.

Preparing children for a future shaped by technology

Through all of these experiences, our aim at KES is clear: to equip children with the digital skills, curiosity and adaptability they will need in an ever-changing world. Whether the pursue careers in technology or innovation, or simply confident users of technology, the foundations they are building now will support them for years to come.