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Empowering local futures through creative computing

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From robotics clubs to Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy, the School of Computing is supporting digital skills on our doorstep.

We believe in putting knowledge into action — and that includes working with our closest neighbours to open up creative opportunities and build future-facing skills.

Female in yellow, standing, works with year 7 pupil, seated

Goldsmiths support Year 7 pupils from Addey & Stanhope with hands-on robotics and coding sessions, exploring real-world tech

The School of Computing has been deepening its local outreach work in 2025, offering coding and robotics to young people in Lewisham, one of London’s most deprived boroughs, but also home to rich creativity and resilience.

Coding futures: robots, races and real-world skills

This summer, a group of Year 7 pupils from local Deptford school, Addey & Stanhope joined a practical robotics club run by Goldsmiths' Llewelyn Fernandes (Computing), supported by Chloe Young (Student Success) and charity ESDEG (Education and Skills Development Group).

Close-up image of robot in the hands of a year 7 pupil

One of the robots designed and assembled by Addey & Stanhope pupils with support from Goldsmiths Computing staff and students.

Over a series of sessions, the students collaborated with Goldsmiths Computing students to design, code, and control wheeled robots — even racing them in a final celebration of what they’d built.

“Student engagement was sky high,” said Jake Armstrong, the school’s Business and Computing teacher. “They seriously started considering a future career path in technology.”

Second-year Goldsmiths students Sana Chikkam and Nadeesh Jeyashankar played a key role in supporting the sessions, helping the school pupils assemble and program their robots while gaining new skills themselves.

Two year 7 operate robots seated on wheely chairs

Lewisham pupils get hands-on with robotics during a summer skills initiative supported by Goldsmiths.

It’s been lovely seeing the kids engage and come up with their own ideas. I’ve started building my confidence in leading small groups and I’ve learned a lot about the Microbit too!”

Sana Chikkam, second-year student, BSc Creative Computing

Each child brought their own approach. It deepened my own understanding and seeing them enjoy the process was really rewarding.”

Nadeesh Jeyashankar, second-year student, BSc Digital Arts Computing

Boy at works PC

Addey & Stanhope student takes part in a practical session designed to spark interest in creative technology and computing.

Expanding impact: AI literacy and more

After a summer pause, the School of Computing is gearing up for even more local civic activity when the new academic year gets underway. Dr Akshi Kumar will be kicking things off with AI literacy sessions for community groups, helping break down the buzzwords and make new technologies feel more accessible, useful and inclusive.

Female in yellow seated on floor works with two pupils who are seated at desks

Second-year student, Sana Chikkam works with pupils in a hands-on session designed to make tech more accessible and inclusive.

In September, young people aged 16 and over from local schools and colleges will be welcomed to campus for our Creative Tech Taster Day, led by Tara Collingwoode-Williams and featuring a series of workshops.

Being a good neighbour

It’s all part of our wider commitment to raising educational attainment locally, being a good neighbour and staying actively connected to our community.

Our work with local schools and colleges is extensive. It’s all part of our wider commitment to being a good neighbour and staying actively connected to our community. Through our Civic University Agreement, we’re working with local partners to support creative learning and skills — and to try to make a positive difference, close to home.

Our Civic University Agreement also commits us to working with local partners to support creative learning and skills and prepare learners for the changing world of education and work that they will face in the twenty first century. Above all we try to make a positive difference, close to home.

From promoting coding confidence in young people to building creative computing pathways, we’re proud to support Lewisham’s future.

Find out more about our Civic University Agreement: gold.ac.uk/community/civic/cua