Design & Innovation
Design and Innovation - now on the curriculum!
Design and Innovation encourages pupils to think creatively, collaborate effectively and develop practical solutions to meaningful challenges. Each project is designed to give purpose to learning, drawing connections across all areas of the curriculum. Pupils will use modern tools and emerging technologies to bring their ideas to life, gaining valuable skills and deeper understanding as they apply their knowledge in new and exciting ways.
When ideas take shape and innovation comes to life
New Design and Innovation hubs - the Think Tank and the Workbench - have been purpose built to support the curriculum. They help our pupils become confident learners, ready to face challenges with imagination and skill.
The Think Tank
The Think Tank is a calm, creative space designed for ideation, collaboration and problem solving. Pupils come here to explore concepts, brainstorm solutions and develop plans. With flexible seating, interactive displays and an atmosphere that encourages curiosity, this is where ideas are born and refined. Whether they are designing a product, mapping out a digital solution or researching a real world issue, the Think Tank is the launchpad for innovation.
The Workbench
The Workbench is a dynamic, hands on environment where ideas are brought to life. Equipped with tools for prototyping, making, coding and constructing, this space allows pupils to test, build and refine their projects. It is where digital meets physical - whether that is through robotics, engineering challenges, artistic creations or STEM based builds. The Workbench empowers pupils to take risks, solve problems and learn through doing.
Being a Microsoft Showcase School
Lessons
Co-curricular
Surface Gos
St Andrew’s has been accredited Microsoft Showcase status; only one of five Prep Schools in the UK to achieve this. Being a Showcase School helps ensure our teaching and learning retain its contemporary relevance and equips our pupils with future-ready skills.
Over 10% of staff are Microsoft Advanced Educators (MAEs), over 3% are Microsoft Innovator Expert Educators (MIEE) and over 2% are Microsoft Certified Educators.
Alongside integration, children receive weekly touch-typing lessons as well as weekly ICT lessons, where they are encouraged to explore the myriad of educational and creative opportunities that technology can offer. These include e-safety, coding using a variety of languages, building apps, graphic design, digital music, animation, game building, Minecraft Education, Office 365 projects, website building, podcasting and video editing.
We offer a range of tech clubs for pupils who have a real passion for this area.
From Year 7, our pupils have a Surface Go device, which they bring into every lesson. This further embeds the strategies taught to them from the Pre-Prep, and provides continuity between subjects, in the class and at home, as well as encouraging independence, creativity, and ownership over their learning.
