An Argyll and Bute primary school of just 180 pupils has brought home software giant Microsoft’s Kodu Kup Judges Award, emerging as one of four winning teams in the UK wide competition to design computer games.

Cardross Primary School’s programming so impressed the judges they commented on the fact that some of the coding the pupils had used they themselves were not able to do within the software.

There are 380,000 students and 8,000 teachers using Microsoft’s ‘Kodu’ computer programming software in the UK, more than any other country in the world, including the USA.

This year there were twelve finalists from ten schools, with a Scottish school competing for the first time. The Judges Choice Award is awarded to the team that has most impressed the judges.

Cardross Primary School’s three strong ‘Klan Kodu’ team travelled to compete at Microsoft’s campus at Thames Valley Park, Reading, for the final of the UK Kodu Kup competition on 17 July. The team were Erin Gregory, Etienne Machtelinckx and Sarah Mitchell, accompanied by head teacher Elspeth Davis.

Each finalist team of three had to give a fifteen minute presentation to the judges – effectively a sales pitch. All teams presented and showcased games at an incredibly high standard so the competition was tough.

Head teacher Elspeth Davies said, “Klan Kodu gave an outstanding presentation - confident, articulate and skilful. They demonstrated, not only the complexity of the programming in their game, Maze Adventures, but also a quality of presentation skills rarely seen in children of this age.

“In their award presentation, the pupils were commended for the complex and challenging programming coding they had used within the creation of their game, and the thoughts they had given to future developments which their game could have.”  

Argyll and Bute Council’s Policy Lead for Education and Lifelong Learning, Councillor Aileen Morton said, “To have achieved success at the highest level the first time Scotland has taken part in this national competition is something for us all to celebrate.

“The pupils have done exceptionally well to receive this well-deserved accolade and I am pleased to see the council’s commitment to developing learning technologies recognised at this level. Developing and enhancing skills in technology is vital for successful life skills and chances, and there are many examples of Argyll and Bute schools’ creative use of new technology in pupil learning.

“I offer my warmest congratulations to the pupils, to the dedicated staff at Cardross Primary and acknowledge the support given by parents in, not just this competition, but every aspect of their work.”