Igniting innovation: the first Invictus Hackathon

This inaugural event was generously sponsored by Black Cat Building Consultants, Inco, Spicer Surveys Building Consultancy, Virtasant, and William Gough Ltd, whose support made the day possible. We were privileged to welcome a distinguished line-up of guests including Paul Estes, joining us from the United States, who inspired participants with his global perspective on digital transformation; Pip Sanderson from the National Institute of Teaching, who brought essential insights into AI ethics; and Simon Hool from GeTech, who supported teams with expert guidance on using Google Gemini. As the first of many innovation-led events planned by Invictus, the Hackathon set the tone for a bold and forward-thinking future. 

Our guest host, Paul Estes (author of Gig Mindset and a globally recognised voice on digital transformation) joined the event and spent time with the executive team to share insights on AI adoption and fostering an innovation culture in education. His message focused on embracing change, equipping future-ready learners, and embedding agility into everyday systems and structures. Paul highlighted the importance of cultivating curiosity, noting that half of the attendees were experimenting with AI for the first time. He emphasised that, despite the challenges, it's crucial for organisations to take small, deliberate steps to introduce AI technologies, thereby empowering students and educators to explore new possibilities in learning. 

Six student teams and four staff teams took part in the Hackathon, each challenged to tackle a real-world educational problem using AI as the foundation for their solution. The energy, thoughtfulness, and innovation demonstrated by all teams reflected the growing digital confidence across our schools and the power of cross-school collaboration. Throughout the event, participants explored creative solutions, exchanged ideas with colleagues from across the Trust, and examined the role AI can play in reducing workload and enhancing feedback. The event prompted deep, reflective conversations about the ethical use of AI, while showcasing how curiosity tempered with caution can drive meaningful innovation. From insightful keynote speakers to thought-provoking student presentations, the Hackathon offered a rich learning experience that sparked new perspectives on how AI can support teaching, learning, and leadership at every level.

Later in the day, we were privileged to hear from Pip Sanderson, Director of Teacher Development at the National Institute of Teaching, who offered a balanced and thoughtful perspective on the ethical implications of AI in education. She led an engaging debate and Q&A session, encouraging staff and students to think critically about both the opportunities and the risks, and to approach AI adoption with evidence, care, and integrity. 

Crestwood School’s student team earned top honours for their innovative and well-considered solution to a challenge focused on personalised learning and feedback. Using both Google Gemini and ChatGPT, they proposed the development of a dynamic website and AI-powered platform designed to support students by tailoring revision materials, tracking progress, and generating personalised feedback across a range of subjects. Their solution offered an insightful contrast between AI tools in action and was praised for its clarity, relevance, and potential to support learners at scale. 

Edward Vitalis, the CEO of Invictus Education Trust stated “The energy, creativity, and collaboration we witnessed at our first Hackathon were truly inspiring. Seeing students and staff from across our Trust come together to explore the future of AI in education reminded us of what’s possible when innovation is driven by curiosity and purpose. This event marks the beginning of an exciting journey one where we continue to work together, across schools and with industry partners, to prepare our learners and leaders for the world ahead.” 

Daljit Samrai, Lead practitioner of Computing and event organiser, commented "A wonderful afternoon bringing together students and colleagues from across the trust, our AI hackathon celebrated collaboration, creativity, and the shared vision to push the boundaries of what’s possible with artificial intelligence in a fun and engaging way!" 

The success of this first Hackathon marks a new chapter in Invictus Education Trust’s journey to embed innovation at every level of our work.