Our pupils had an unforgettable experience this week as they took part in Equal Trust’s very first “Girls Can Code” initiative, hosted by Nottingham Trent University’s Department of Computer Science.
From the moment they arrived, the excitement was clear. The girls were welcomed into a real university environment, exploring state-of-the-art computing facilities, including a robotics lab and a virtual reality development space, giving them a glimpse into the future of technology and innovation.
This fantastic opportunity was made possible through funding support from the Royal Society, helping to bring high-quality STEM experiences into schools and connect pupils with experts in the field. We are also incredibly grateful to Microsoft and Suno volunteers, as well as the staff and students in the Department of Computer Science, whose energy, expertise and encouragement made the day so special.
Learning Through Creativity
During the visit, the girls took on the challenge of designing and coding their own retro-style arcade games. They explored how games are built from the ground up, learning key programming skills while also developing creativity and problem-solving.
The collaboration during this part of the day brought the wider Royal Society project question to life: what features make a game more engaging for players? Rather than simply finishing a game and moving on, the girls became designers, testers and researchers. They played one another’s games, listened carefully to feedback, and began to think about what made a game enjoyable, challenging or worth playing again.
This reflective process will continue back in school as pupils collect feedback, look for patterns in player responses and refine their games over time. It gives the project a clear investigative purpose: helping pupils understand that coding is not just about making something work, but about testing ideas, improving design choices and considering how technology can be created responsibly.
A Project That Continues
This visit wasn’t just a one-off event — it marked the start of an exciting journey. Over the next two terms, the girls will continue developing, testing and refining their ideas back in school, building on their learning when the project resumes in September.
A Day to Remember
The girls showed incredible enthusiasm, teamwork and determination throughout the day. They embraced every challenge, supported one another, and showed real curiosity about future careers in technology.
Experiences like this are about more than just coding — they help to build confidence, resilience and aspiration, encouraging pupils to see themselves as the next generation of creators, innovators and problem-solvers.
We are incredibly proud of all the girls who took part in this first-ever Girls Can Code event — and we can’t wait to see where their ideas take them next.
