Aivy Academy FAQ
Straight answers
Everything parents ask us, answered plainly. If yours is missing, message us.
Programmes
What ages do you teach?
Ages 6 to 17, in four bands: Explorers (6–8), Makers (9–11), Builders (12–14) and Studio (15–17). Children move up by readiness, not just by birthday.
Does my child need any coding experience?
Not for Explorers (6–8), Makers (9–11) or Builders (12–14): Level 1 assumes none. Studio (15–17) assumes comfortable Python or JavaScript, so new students take a 30-minute placement, and anyone below that bar starts with a four-week bridge. A child who already codes can place into a higher level after a short placement session.
Which band is right for my child?
Explorers for ages 6 to 8, Makers for 9 to 11, Builders for 12 to 14, Studio for 15 to 17. Children move up by readiness, not just by birthday: a confident 8-year-old who has finished Explorers can join Makers, and a confident 11-year-old who can read and change a short Python program can join Builders with the instructor’s approval.
My child already codes. Do they start at Level 1?
Not necessarily. A short placement session, 20 minutes for Explorers and Makers and 30 for Studio, lets a child who already builds confidently enter at Level 2.
Do you run holiday camps?
Yes: Robot Week, AI Game Jam, Build-an-App Week and Startup Week, Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 14:00, each building to a Friday showcase for parents. Dates coming soon. See the camps page.
Safety and AI
Is it safe for my child to use AI?
Under 13, children never log into public AI tools; the instructor runs AI on the big screen. From Builders (12–14), students build with real AI tools inside Aivy’s own supervised sandbox, with your written consent, logging, and a clear notice that they are talking to an AI. Children never chat with an AI alone.
Who sees the weekly clip?
Only you. The assistant films your child showing their work, first name only, uploads it for you and deletes it from the device. Clips are never used in marketing without your written consent.
What data do you collect about my child?
The minimum. This website collects nothing from children: the waitlist asks only for your child’s age band, never a name or photo. At the academy we hold a first name and an age band for class lists, and written consent for participation, photos and videos, and from Builders, sandbox AI access. No child’s face is used to train anything. The privacy notice has the detail.
Sessions and showcases
How big are the groups?
Six to ten children, depending on the band, with two vetted adults in every room.
What happens in a session?
Every session runs Spark, Build, Test and Tweak, Show. Instruction stays short, most of the time is hands-on, and in the last ten minutes every child shows one thing. How it works has the minute-by-minute shape for each age band.
What is the showcase?
Every term ends with something your child made, presented to real people: the Robot Parade for Explorers, the Makers Fair, Launch Night for Builders and Demo Day for Studio. Parents come.
What does my child need to bring?
Explorers and Makers use the academy’s own tablets and laptops, so nothing. Builders and Studio students bring their own laptop; we can lend one.
What if we miss a session?
A missed session can be made up in another cohort when there is space, and comes with a catch-up pack so your child does not fall behind the project.
Can I watch?
Sessions run without parents in the room so children focus on each other and the work. You see the progress in the 60-second clip we send every week, and you come to the showcase at the end of term.
Pricing and policies
How much does it cost?
One clear price per 10-week term, VAT included, and one price per camp week. There is no registration, materials or kit fee. The pricing page has every number, the founding-family rate and the policies.
Do you offer discounts?
Yes. Siblings get 15% off each additional child; re-enrolling before week 8 of the current term takes 10% off the next level; when a friend you refer enrols, both families get a credit; and the first 40 families to enrol before 31 December 2026 get the founding-family rate on every term in 2027. One discount applies per enrolment, the largest one.
What is your refund policy?
If your child is not enjoying it after the first session, you get your money back. After that there are no refunds, but a missed session can be made up in another cohort when there is space, with a catch-up pack. Camps are sold by the week. If a cohort does not reach six children, we offer another cohort or a full refund. The refunds page has the detail.
Are there any extra fees?
No. There is no registration fee, no materials fee and no kit fee, and every price includes VAT.
Logistics
Where are the sessions?
Dubai, UAE, at venues across Dubai, confirmed per term. Waitlist families hear first.
When do terms start?
Dates coming soon. Join the waitlist and we will message you first.
Join the founding families
We are opening our first cohorts in Dubai. Join the waitlist and we will message you first about free Open Build sessions and term dates.
Dates coming soon · Dubai, UAE