We have some very special news to share this week, and can’t stop smiling with pride!
Leo, one of our most loyal and long-standing students at The Code Lab camps, has just been crowned 1st place winner in the 5th & 6th class age category at the National Scratch Coding Competition 2026, held in Limerick. The competition is open to primary and secondary students right across Ireland, so this is a huge achievement.
Where It All Began
Leo has been part of The Code Lab family since a young age. He first attended workshops we ran at St Francis National School in Blackrock in 2023, and has returned year after year to our Summer camps, Easter camps, and holiday workshops ever since. Watching him grow over those years, from a curious beginner to someone who now competes and wins at national level, is something we will always be proud of.
What is Scratch Coding?
Scratch is a free visual programming language developed by MIT that lets young people build interactive stories, games, animations, and music using drag-and-drop building blocks rather than complex typed code.
It’s the perfect gateway into programming because it removes the intimidating syntax barrier and lets kids focus entirely on creativity and logic. At The Code Lab, we use Scratch regularly in our camps because it’s genuinely fun, and as Leo has proven, it can take you a very long way.
What Leo’s Win Means To Us
Stories like Leo’s remind us exactly why we run The Code Lab. It’s not just about teaching children to code, it’s about sparking something in them. A curiosity, a confidence, a sense that they can build things and solve problems. Leo walked into a national final with confidence in his own ability, and walked out as champion. That kind of self-belief grows over time, through practice and encouragement, and we’re so glad we’ve been part of his journey.
Leo’s win is also a wonderful reflection on Mrs Cooney, who set up the lunchtime Scratch Club at St Francis NS earlier this year, and gave Leo the perfect place to keep his skills fresh and ready for the national stage.
Thinking About Coding Camps For Your Child?
If Leo’s story has inspired you, we’d love to welcome your child to our next camp. We run sessions throughout the year, Summer, Easter, and other school holidays, for a wide range of ages and abilities. Whether they’ve never touched a computer or are already building their own games, there’s a place for them here. We cover Scratch coding, Micro:bit coding, Introduction to Electronics, Robotics and lots of screen-free STEM activities too. Get in touch or check our upcoming camps to find out more.
Huge Congratulations again to Leo, his family, and to all the staff at St Francis NS. We can’t wait to see what he builds next. 🏆
