Several years ago as a staff we looked at creating shared curriculum principles that, regardless of subject, age or stage, provided a common language that we could work within. Fast forward to now and we continuously look for opportunities to embed our core principles:

One such way in which we do this is through our co-curricular offer where children are able to follow their passions and enhance their knowledge, skills and understanding in developing their learning. The Genius Club, run by our Head of Science, provides an opportunity for children to apply their learning to a variety of contexts and recently had outcomes beyond even our high expectations.

The challenge… 

Within our school we have a House system which provides children with the chance to engage in friendly competition through a variety of challenges, one being a General Knowledge Quiz. The final for this contest was fast approaching and we envisaged the use of a buzzer system that would give the experience a real game-show feel. We approached the children of Genius Club to see if they would be keen to develop this idea, providing them with a brief to devise a system that would allow the four teams, each colour-coded, to buzz in to answer a question, and lock out those teams who did not respond the quickest.

The solution…

Of the group, one Year 6 child had a vision to create a wireless system using Raspberry Pi. Taking hold of their idea, they set to work and provided us with a shopping list of components totalling £250. Over budget, we sought resources from across our Foundation of schools and were able to source Raspberry Pi equipment. The child’s initial assessment was bleak, the components being not modern enough to realise the vision. Whilst many would have conceded defeat, the pupil adapted and re-designed their idea to utilise the equipment available and re-submitted their shopping list at a reduced budget of £50. Sourcing the equipment, the child set to work but time was running out. Just 48 hours before the event, the system was faltering and it looked like a commercial alternative would have to be sourced. With bed-time nigh, a 45-minute deadline was given... with patience, a passionate drive and determination, the device was completed and working as envisioned.

Outcome and next steps…

The event was held successfully, even more so as the buzzer system was put to task and ran seamlessly. This was critical thinking, challenge and creativity at its very best and allowed a child to pursue their vision diligently. To say we were impressed was an understatement. The coding knowledge and skills applied surpassed what our IT technician was able to offer, which highlighted how special this outcome was.

Quite rightly we lauded the pupil for their efforts and our senior school Head of Computing and Digital Literacy was equally in awe of their achievements.

The whole experience illustrated what is possible when children’s ideas are given the freedom to flourish and we were glad we were able to help nurture and facilitate the idea into reality. Our plan next is to achieve the original goal of being wireless and provide a network of buzzers so individual team members can buzz in.

How is your school giving children such real-life opportunities to apply their learning and nurturing the talent of tomorrow? Fingers on buzzers!

Fairfield Prep School is an independent co-educational school and part of a Foundation of schools located in Loughborough, Leicestershire, within the East Midlands. We cater for children aged 3 to 11, have been NACE accredited for several years and are now actively seeking Ambassador status. Our journey with NACE has changed our practice and challenged our thinking so that we embed the principle of challenge for all. We strongly believe in helping all learners achieve their potential and our work with NACE has helped foster an approach that helps us achieve this aim. Throughout our journey, we have developed an approach to embed STEAM, explored middle learners and developed more evidence-based approaches that allow children within our care to flourish. We hope to continue our NACE journey by networking with like-minded schools to challenge our own thinking and evolve practice for the benefit of children.

Learn more…

• Fairfield Prep School’s journey to Challenge Award accreditation and beyond
• Visit Fairfield Prep School on Friday 23 January 2026 to see the school’s “challenge for all” ethos first-hand.