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Five Minutes on Friday Issue 2 11th September 2026

Welcome to this week’s 5 Minutes on Friday digest! As we settle further into the autumn term, we have a packed edition featuring upcoming local EdTech events, powerful professional development opportunities, and essential online safety guidance for your school community.

Grab a quick coffee and take five minutes to get up to speed with what you need to know for Friday, 11th September 2026.

🍏 1. Apple RTC Conference: AI & Accessibility in the Classroom

Mark your calendars! The South Tyneside Apple Regional Training Centre (in partnership with Academia) invites you to join us on Thursday, 22nd October 2026 at The Word, South Shields for our Autumn Conference.

This whole-day event focuses on one of the most vital areas in modern education: AI and accessibility in the classroom.

Why Attend? Connect with fellow educators and tech experts, discover innovative ideas and practical teaching strategies, and explore inclusive approaches that empower every learner.
Who Should Attend? Senior leaders, computing leads, class teachers, and SEND coordinators looking to maximize Apple technology for inclusion.

👉 RSVP & View the Official Event Flyer: Download the Apple RTC Conference Invite (PDF)

🤖 2. Gemini for Education Event: Newcastle Roadshow

Google for Education is hitting the road, and their next stop is right here in the North East! Join the Google team in Newcastle on Wednesday, 11th November 2026 for a dedicated Gemini for Education roadshow.

This event is tailored for school leaders, IT coordinators, and educators eager to harness generative AI safely and effectively within the Google Workspace environment.

Key Insights: Discover how Gemini can save teachers time with lesson planning, assist with administrative workflows, and transform classroom interactivity.
Best Practices: Learn about data privacy, AI literacy, and practical strategies for integrating AI tools into your school’s digital strategy.

👉 Secure Your Space: Register for the Gemini Roadshow Newcastle

🛡️ 3. Online Safety Hub Weekly Highlight: Parental Advice & Digital Safety

In this week’s feature from the South Tyneside Online Safety Hub, we are highlighting how to report incidents on gaming platforms.Swift reporting is crucial for removing inappropriate content and mitigating the impact of negative online incidents.Reporting the incident to the platform itself is often the first step; however, each country also has applicable government organisations that can help.

👉 Explore the Article & Hub:

Read the Latest Feature: Access the Highlighted Safety Article
Visit the Full Hub: South Tyneside Online Safety Hub

Thank you for reading this week’s edition of 5 Minutes on Friday! Stay tuned for more EdTech updates, classroom ideas, and leadership tips in next week’s issue.

Have a brilliant and relaxing weekend—unless you are taking on the Great North Run this Sunday! In that case, may the weather be in your favour, the crowds carry you along, and your legs take you safely home to the finish line in South Shields! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

Phillippa Chippendale

ICT in Schools Team

Five Minutes on Friday #11 10th July 2026

Phillippa Chippendale

Welcome to this week’s Five Minutes on Friday digest! As we approach the final stretch of the academic year, we’ve compiled your weekly round-up of critical safeguarding updates, essential professional development opportunities, and invaluable parental resources to support your school community.

Grab a quick coffee and take five minutes to get up to speed with what you need to know for Friday, 10th July 2026.

📑 1. Statutory Guidance: Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026

The Department for Education has officially released the updated ‘Keeping children safe in education 2026’ document.

For Information Only: Please note that this new edition is currently published for information only and does not come into force until 1st September 2026.
Current Requirements: Schools and colleges must continue to adhere strictly to the guidelines outlined in ‘Keeping children safe in education 2025’ until 31st August 2026.

👉 Stay Prepared: Click here to review a comprehensive summary of the key upcoming changes

🏟️ 2. Professional Development: ICT for Education Conference

The highly anticipated ICT for Education Conference program is coming to St James’ Park, Newcastle on September 18th, 2026. This promises to be an incredibly practical morning for computing teachers, school leaders, and IT professionals looking to shape technology use inside the classroom.

The morning will feature leading sector specialists covering curriculum change, safeguarding, AI in education, and classroom technology. Key speakers include:

Martin Bailey – Computing subject leader at Ellington Primary School.
Miles Berry – Professor of Computing Education at the University of Roehampton.
Dr Steve Bunce – Robotics Partnerships Teacher and STEM Ambassador at RGS Newcastle.
Tig Williams – CAS Master Teacher, Curriculum Specialist, and Trainer.
Sarah Zaman – CAS Primary Specialist and NCCE Primary Computing Specialist.

Event Details:

Cost: Completely free to attend, with refreshments provided.
Timings: Registration opens at 07:30, sessions run from 08:30 to 12:40. Delegates are welcome to arrive or leave as schedules permit.

👉 Secure Your Space: Register for the Newcastle Conference Here

📱 3. Online Safety Hub Highlight: Should I Get My Child a Phone?

Deciding when to give a child their first smartphone is one of the most common dilemmas faced by modern parents and carers. In this week’s spotlight from the South Tyneside Online Safety Hub, we share a comprehensive guide designed to help families navigate this major digital milestone.

The resource provides practical milestones and advice, focusing on three core areas:

Assessing Readiness: How to evaluate a child’s maturity, responsibility, and overall trustworthiness alongside the pros and cons of device ownership.
Setting Boundaries: The importance of establishing clear rules right from the start, including time limits, designated no-phone zones, and a structured nighttime plan.
Utilizing Technical Guardrails: How to confidently deploy parental controls to monitor usage and maximize online safety without having to constantly police every moment.

👉 Read and Share the Full Guide: Should I Get My Child a Phone? The Complete Guide

Thank you for reading this week’s edition of Five Minutes on Friday! Stay tuned for more EdTech insights, digital tools, and leadership advice in next week’s update.

If you have a specific topic or tool you’d like us to cover in a future issue, please reach out to the team with your feedback.

Have a brilliant and relaxing weekend!