Digital Literacy & Bridewell AI in Upper Prep

Our digital literacy programming, including our Bridewell AI for older pupils, plays an important part within our delivery of an age-appropriate curriculum, catalysing pupils’ learning, particularly by developing critical thinking and deepening knowledge.

At Barrow Hills, our Computing and Digital Literacy curriculum encompasses coding, web and app design, robotics, and AI, with digital literacy acquisition equipping pupils to use technology effectively, responsibly, and ethically. Each and every classroom is supported by large and accessible smart screens to bring visuals and concepts to life.

We work innovatively across the Bridewell schools and in partnership with the Universities of Surrey and Royal Holloway, University of London. Together, our pupils, teachers, and research partners have co-designed a local, safe, and bespoke AI system, built to scaffold children’s achievement around our curriculum and our core values of inclusion and excellence. Maintaining the ‘human in the loop’ is central to our approaches when applying cutting-edge technology, ensuring our pupils are equipped with the skills and ethical understanding to thrive in the future.

In an era where the allure of screen time can detract from the wonders of childhood, we ensure that our use of technology is considered, meaningful, and designed to raise the bar for academic outcomes.

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Take a look at our older children developing our Bridewell AI with the Universities of Surrey and Royal Holloway in 2025

Transformative Learning in Upper Prep

We emphasise the transformative application of technology, ensuring pupils develop confidence in its practical use. From solving mathematical problems using spreadsheets, to building and coding robots that address real-world challenges, to creating bespoke design solutions with 3D printers—our pupils are well prepared to innovate and excel. Recent outcomes include:

Bridewell AI: We collaborate with local universities and technology partners to drive bold, ethical, and cutting-edge innovation. The Bridewell Schools’ ‘AI for good’ philosophy keeps the teacher at the centre, with technology serving to strengthen critical thinking and deepen subject knowledge and understanding. We operate our own closed-system AI, supported by the infrastructure at our sister school, King Edward’s. Built around our curriculum, our ethics, and our design principles, it provides an advanced and secure tool for learning.

Scientific Exploration: Using data loggers in Science to access real-time feedback on experiments, enabling pupils to draw evidence-based conclusions.
Digital Literacy and Ethics: Developing and articulating critical understanding of concepts such as accuracy, bias, and ethics within digital environments.
Immersive Learning: Employing virtual reality headsets and holographic cubes across Humanities, Maths, and Science to explore 3D models—from recreations of historical buildings to detailed visualisations of human organs or atomic structures. Virtual Reality and other immersive technologies also inspire creative storytelling and writing across all year groups.
Creative Presentations: Providing each pupil with a personal laptop and the skills to create impactful presentations in English, Humanities, and Science, deepening their understanding of ambitious topics—from Gothic literature to the Industrial Revolution.
Online Safety: Ensuring pupils have a practical understanding of online risks, including personal data privacy, and the skills to navigate digital platforms responsibly.

Our teaching incorporates the best of academic and creative practice and is delivered using state of the art technology.

Our role as educators is to treat each child as an individual and provide support as they pursue their journey towards independence.

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Forest School and Ecology in Pre-Prep

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