At LEO Academy Trust, we believe education should do far more than digitise existing practice—it should open doors, foster collaboration and build pupil agency. In September, our pupils demonstrated this vision on a global scale, participating in UN General Assembly High Level Week, innovating with Google NYC, forming transatlantic school links and embarking on a North East residential trip.

Bringing Primary Voices to UN General Assembly High Level Week (#UNGA81)

Eight Year 6 pupils travelled to New York City to co-lead two live sessions during UN General Assembly High Level Week, exploring:

• How AI can empower children rather than simply deliver answers.

• How digital technology can build genuinely inclusive classrooms.

Our message was clear: technology is most effective when placed in the hands of skilled teachers, grounded in strong pedagogy and driven by inquisitive children.

Innovation at Google NYC & Jersey City Collaboration

At Google NYC, our pupils pitched their own ideas for new Google Classroom features directly to product teams, while staff gained behind-the-scenes UX insights into the future of EdTech. 

The team also visited Frank R. Conwell Middle School #4 in Jersey City. LEO pupils shared their experiences of London school life during a live Q&A session, establishing an exciting new transatlantic partnership focused on student agency.

Empowering Primary Learners with Sparkli

During our UN session, LEO showcased the impact of our new partnership with Sparkli, focusing on child-centred AI. Sparkli encourages children to explore, test ideas, and debate, building essential skills across AI literacy, financial awareness, sustainability, design thinking and emotional intelligence.

• Watch the UN Presentation Segment: Sparkli & LEO Academy Trust Showcase

Reimagining Education Together

Whether presenting in New York or collaborating in New Jersey, LEO Academy Trust pupils have shown that young learners have vital contributions to make to global conversations. We return to our classrooms inspired to keep connecting communities and reimagining what primary education can achieve.