We recognise that today’s students develop and grow as digital natives in an environment rich with technology
At Southbank, we use technology as a meaningful tool to enhance and extend students' learning and its use is embedded and integrated in all areas of the curriculum. We prioritise hands-on, real-life learning alongside digital literacy.
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Digital Learning
Our one-to-one digital device programme enables students to use technology as a tool for learning while acquiring the skills they’ll need to thrive in the future.
All three of our campuses showcase inventive and meaningful uses of technology in learning. Across the curriculum, our students use technology to inquire, collaborate, and research, and to express their understanding and knowledge. The technology is used to support the pedagogical approach of the school.
With nearly half our students speaking an additional language, and having a diverse range of learning needs, technology has been vital in helping all our students access the curriculum and providing tailored support. We use a variety of resources such as text to speech, platforms for language development and translation tools for communication.
Digital Collaboration
Every digital tool added to our educational toolkit serves a specific purpose to enhance learning or the student experience.
We use Google Classroom to support collaboration between students, for teacher feedback and to enhance home to school learning.
The flexibility of our one-to-one devices extends learning beyond the classroom, allowing our students to engage with real-world, authentic contexts. We have been able to reach out to primary sources such as scientists, writers and other children around the world to enhance learning experiences.
Digital Innovation
Technology allows learners to express themselves in creative ways, including drawing, photography, film, and music.
Coding is integrated into the curriculum across the school to bring concepts to life. The primary schools use Lego robotics as a key part of our STEAM programme, incorporating science, technology, engineering, arts and maths.
In the Primary Years Programme (PYP) Exhibition, our Grade 5 students created collaborative books to share their research and creations. Students have created movies, infographics, and musical compositions and published their books to a global audience on Apple Books and book creator.
Digital Citizenship and AI
Navigating the Future: AI Integration at Southbank International School
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the world, Southbank International School is committed to safely and responsibly integrating this powerful technology into our learning environment. Our approach is centered on preparing students not just to use AI, but to understand its ethical dimensions and maximise its potential under the guidance of well-trained educators.
The Foundation of Ethical Use: Teacher Training
Safety and responsibility are paramount. We recognize that for students to navigate AI effectively, our teaching staff must lead the way. Our focus has been on extensive teacher training, ensuring that every educator is equipped to support students in the ethical and responsible use of AI. This groundwork is essential to maintaining a secure and principled learning environment for everyone.
AI Guidelines
As a Cognita and IB school, we benefit from the continuous guidance provided by these organisations to integrate AI safely and meaningfully into our curriculum. This external expertise helps ensure our policies and practices meet international standards for educational excellence and digital safety.
To ensure safety and manage student access, we have established clear guidelines:
For Staff: Our commitment to data security and seamless operation is reflected in the AI platforms available to staff. Staff members receive regular training on generative AI use.
For Students: Currently, the only AI platform students over the age of 13 are permitted to use within the school environment is Flint AI, and this requires prior parental consent.
Flint is Cognita’s AI platform designed to support, not replace, great teaching.
It gives educators more time to focus on what matters most by helping them create high-quality, tailored learning activities, deliver personalised materials, and provide timely, formative feedback. Students benefit from extra practice, guided idea generation, and opportunities to build responsible AI literacy — all with age-appropriate safeguards and teacher oversight.
We are strategically rolling out AI literacy and access across the school: students in Grades 11 and 12 have participated in dedicated presentations and workshops focused on discussing and learning how to use AI ethically and safely in their academic work.
Apple Distinguished School 2024-2027
Southbank Hampstead recognised as an Apple Distinguished School for 2024-27
We’re pleased to be recognised as an Apple Distinguished School for 2024–2027, a prestigious recognition celebrating the school’s commitment to innovation, leadership, and educational excellence through the integration of Apple technology.
The Apple Distinguished School designation is reserved for schools that demonstrate continuous innovation in learning, teaching, and the school environment. For over ten years, we have embraced Apple’s technology to create a transformative learning environment, enhancing students’ creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking skills.