LEO Academy Trust is a Multi Academy Trust made up of 15 primary schools across Sutton and Surrey in the UK. The Trust is committed to creating innovative learning opportunities that prepare pupils for an increasingly digital future. To support this ambition, LEO Academy Trust introduced LEGO® Education Computer Science & AI across its schools. The solution uses hands-on, project-based learning to make complex ideas such as algorithms, machine learning and sensor inputs more tangible and accessible for pupils. It was also selected to help non-specialist teachers build the confidence needed to deliver high-quality computer science and AI lessons. Together with her colleagues, Cheryl Shirley, Director of Digital at LEO Academy Trust, initiated a phased rollout and practical teacher training, enabling teachers to deliver Computing and AI lessons in their classrooms. She has many useful insights and experiences to share. Here is a glimpse into LEO Academy Trust’s experience of embracing Computer Science & AI: When teaching the Computing curriculum, what challenges do you typically face? “Teacher confidence is a major barrier when delivering the Computing curriculum, especially for complex topics like AI and programming. Primary schools face a critical shortage of subject specialists, leaving non-specialist staff feeling underprepared. Consequently, educators often struggle to troubleshoot technical issues, guide open-ended coding projects, and explain abstract concepts with clarity and enthusiasm.” What learning outcomes or classroom improvements were you hoping to achieve by using LEGO® Education Computer Science & AI? We were hoping to achieve the following outcomes: Concrete AI & CS Understanding: Demystify abstract concepts, such as machine learning, algorithms, and sensor inputs, by making them tangible and hands-on. Increased Student Engagement: Boost enthusiasm for computing through playful, project-based learning that appeals to diverse learning styles. Higher Teacher Confidence: Provide structured, accessible resources that enable non-specialist primary teachers to deliver robust computer science lessons. Problem-Solving & Collaboration: Develop key soft skills, encouraging students to debug, iterate, and work in teams to solve real-world problems. What progress have you observed in AI concepts? Pupils have developed strong foundational AI literacy, moving beyond basic usage to understanding how models learn from data. Through hands-on experiments with sensor inputs and image classification, they grasp concept limitations, see how biased data impacts outcomes, and actively discuss responsible, ethical AI use in everyday technology. How do pupils respond emotionally to working with LEGO Education Computer Science & AI? Pupils respond with high enthusiasm and visible pride. Building physical models turns abstract code into tangible results, creating wow moments that boost confidence. Even when troubleshooting code or AI inputs, the playful nature of LEGO Education makes mistakes feel like fun challenges rather than frustrating failures. What would you tell your colleagues? “I strongly recommend trust-wide adoption across our MAT. Beyond boosting pupil engagement, it creates a powerful shared understanding that complements our wider AI strategy. By fostering cross-school teacher collaboration, it upskills non-specialists and builds collective staff confidence, ensuring we prepare both our workforce and our children for an AI-driven future together.” These are just some of the insights from LEO Academy Trust’s journey with LEGO Education Computer Science & AI. Discover the full customer success story to learn more about their experience and approach across the Trust. Click here to download the full report. Visit LEGOeducation.com to learn more. LEGO Education Youtube