Issue #12 – 18th July 2025
That’s a Wrap! Celebrating a Year of ICT in South Tyneside Schools
As the final bells ring out and summer truly begins, the ICT in Schools team wants to extend a huge thank you to all the incredible staff and students across South Tyneside for another fantastic academic year!
It’s been a busy and productive year for technology in our classrooms. We’ve seen so much innovation, dedication, and enthusiasm for integrating ICT into learning, and it’s truly inspiring to witness the impact it has on our young people. From interactive lessons to digital creativity, your hard work makes our schools vibrant and forward-thinking places.
A Fond Farewell to Mike Hamilton
This year, as we look forward to a well-deserved summer, we also mark a significant moment for our team: the retirement of our Strategic ICT Manager, Mike Hamilton.
Mike has been an integral part of the ICT in Schools journey in South Tyneside for an incredible 22 years. Many of you will remember Mike from his early days at OpenZone CLC, where he played a pivotal role in establishing digital learning opportunities for our schools. His vision and leadership then guided us to our fantastic new home at The Word, National Centre for the Written Word, where he continued to champion the use of technology to enhance education.
Mike’s dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment have shaped ICT provision across our borough, leaving a lasting legacy that will continue to benefit students and staff for years to come. We will all miss his guidance, his insights, and his passion for making a difference.
On behalf of the entire ICT in Schools team, and indeed all the schools in South Tyneside, we wish Mike a truly wonderful, happy, and healthy retirement. Enjoy every moment, Mike – you’ve certainly earned it!
Wishing You a Wonderful Summer!
To all our primary and secondary schools, we hope you have a fantastic and well-deserved summer break. Take this time to recharge, relax, and enjoy time with family and friends.
We’re already looking forward to supporting you again and seeing all the exciting new ways technology will be used when we welcome you back in September.
Have a brilliant summer, everyone!
From Phillippa and the ICT in Schools Team
Issue #11 – 11th July 2025
Hello Everyone!
Here’s your weekly 5 minutes on Friday digest of tech updates, designed to keep you up to speed on the latest in the world of technology, education, and innovation. We’ve gathered news on everything from curriculum ideas to major tech developments and emerging trends. Enjoy!
We hosted our annual South Tyneside FIRST® LEGO® League Explore Festival at The Word on Tuesday.
In FIRST® LEGO® League Explore, teams of students ages 6-10 focus on the fundamentals of engineering as they explore real-world problems, learn to design and code, and create unique solutions made with LEGO® bricks and powered by LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Essentials.
During the SUBMERGED̈ Season, FIRST LEGO League teams use creative thinking and LEGO® technology to explore the layers of the ocean and bring their learning and ideas to the surface as they “sea” into the future.
We were joined by teams from 6 local schools.
Everyone won a medal and a certificate of achievement. A great morning was had by all. There was Lego building, sharing ideas, communication, collaboration and of course fun!
Thanks to our guest judges Amanda and David Hayward.
Each team won an award. The results are shown below
Challenge Solution Award– ” Westoe Waves ” – Westoe Crown Primary
Team Poster Award – ” The Biddick Builders ” – Biddick Hall Infants
Stick To it Award – ” The Lego Leaders ” – Harton Primary
Core Values Award – ” The Lego Hedz ” – Hedworth Lane Primary
Judges Choice Award – ” Explorers of the Deep Ocean ” – Laygate Community School
Coding Award – ” Boldon Ocean Builders (B.O.B.) ” – West Boldon Primary
Team Model Award – ” Westies Submerged ” – West Boldon Primary
Photography – Nina Chippendale (Y10 work experience)
We look forward to seeing you next year for our Lego League competitions.
Next year’s theme is Unearthed!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exWkcUBS0j8
Primary Coding League
https://www.primarycodingleague.co.uk/
If you’re not familiar with the basics of the Primary Coding League, here is a quick rundown of how it works.
Primary Schools enter up to 3 teams made up of a maximum of 6 students aged 8 -11 years old. This can be mixed as much or as little as schools like in terms of gender, age and ability. They make it work for their setting as they know their children best.
Schools each pay a £15 registration fee which covers the costs of prizes, certificates, website hosting, emails etc. Every penny goes back into making the competition a success, always has and always will.
Teams will complete a set of 6 challenges across the school year where they will be scored out of 5 in 4 key areas for each challenge (Code, Creativity, Theme and Experience) to receive a total out of 20 for each challenge. Their total points at the end of each challenge determines their league position. The team with the highest number of points after the last challenge, wins the league.
The Department for Education has published the latest version of Keeping Children Safe in Education for 2025.
Many thanks to Andrew Hall for this FREE video to guide us through the changes.
https://www.safeguardinginschools.co.uk/kcsie2025a
Thank you for reading this week’s edition!
Stay tuned for more ed tech news, practical classroom ideas, and leadership tips in next week’s update.
Have a topic you’d like covered?
Feel free to reach out with suggestions or feedback.
Have a lovely weekend
Phillippa
Issue #10 – 4th July 2025
Hello Everyone!
Here’s your weekly 5 minutes on Friday digest of tech updates, designed to keep you up to speed on the latest in the world of technology, education, and innovation. We’ve gathered news on everything from curriculum ideas to major tech developments and emerging trends. Enjoy!
We attended the CAS North East Conference 2025 at Newcastle University on Monday. It was encouraging to see representation from South Tyneside schools at the event, which featured several valuable sessions.
There was a heavy focus on AI and its impact on teaching computing as well as a keynote on Cyber security. As soon as we have access to the resources I will share them with you all.
Newcastle University School of Computing – Outreach
The outreach team highlighted the FREE opportunities for engagement sessions with schools.
“We’re here to help young people across the North East build essential digital skills.
Our free workshops and activities are available to schools and colleges in the North East. They connect computing with real-world problem-solving and STEM learning.”
Visit bursary
They offer funding to help state-funded schools and colleges cover transport or staff costs when visiting. Applications are considered on an individual basis.
How to book
Complete online form to book a workshop.
For any questions, or more information, contact at [email protected].
An “AI band” hits 500k streaming listeners, admits to Suno use
Image source: The Velvet Sundown on Spotify
A mysterious band, The Velvet Sundown, that went viral on Spotify with over 500,000 monthly listeners has been revealed as an “art hoax” in an article from Rolling Stone magazine, with music created using the AI generator Suno.The group’s two albums mysteriously appeared on streaming platforms in June with zero digital footprint, raising skepticism from users and musicians.
The “band” initially said the AI claims were baseless on social media, with “adjunct member” Andrew Frelon calling it “marketing and trolling.” He did admit Suno was used to create at least some of the tracks, leveraging its “Persona” feature to maintain a consistent vocal style.
Why does this matter?
While the music tracks and band identity clearly didn’t pass the human test this time, future models and outputs certainly will (and are likely already hiding in plain sight). The question will increasingly become whether that matters — or if, people will consume good content regardless of the “real” creator.
Useful to add into Music teaching and when teaching AI Ethics. Is it real?
Parent articles
Some useful parent articles providing information and advice for managing family digital spending and avoiding online harms.
https://parentzone.org.uk/article/how-deal-online-scams-parent-guide
https://parentzone.org.uk/article/managing-digital-spending-guide-parents
Thank you for reading this week’s edition!
Stay tuned for more ed tech news, practical classroom ideas, and leadership tips in next week’s update.
Have a topic you’d like covered? Feel free to reach out with suggestions or feedback.
Have a lovely weekend
Phillippa
Issue #9 – 27th June 2025 – Non sent
Issue #8 – 20th June 2025
Hello Everyone!
Here’s your weekly 5 minutes on Friday digest of tech updates, designed to keep you up to speed on the latest in the world of technology, education, and innovation. We’ve gathered news on everything from curriculum ideas to major tech developments and emerging trends. Enjoy!
Wow we have sunshine!
Spotlight On: Outdoor Computing Adventures!
The summer term offers a brilliant opportunity to take computing beyond the classroom walls. Integrating outdoor activities can bring new perspectives to coding, data collection, and problem-solving.
- Computational Thinking Walks: Take your students on a “computational thinking walk” around the school grounds. Challenge them to identify algorithms in nature (e.g., how a plant grows), patterns (e.g. repeating leaf structures), or decomposition (e.g.breaking down a journey to the playground).
- Data Collection & Analysis Outdoors: Use simple sensors (like light or temperature sensors if you have them, such as Micro Bits, or even just observation) to collect data from different outdoor areas. Students can then bring this data back to the classroom to input, graph, and analyse.
- “Robot” Obstacle Courses: Design and build an outdoor obstacle course. Students can then write or draw algorithms (sets of instructions) for a “human robot” to navigate the course. This is great for understanding sequencing and debugging.
Creative Computing for End-of-Year Projects
As the academic year draws to a close, consider engaging students in more open-ended, creative computing projects that allow them to showcase their accumulated skills.
Digital Storytelling: Encourage students to create digital stories, animations, or interactive narratives using platforms like Scratch, Storyboard That, or even simple presentation software. They can retell summer holiday plans, reflect on their school year, or imagine future adventures.
Interactive Art & Design: Explore tools that allow students to code generative art or interactive designs. This combines creativity with coding, resulting in visually engaging projects perfect for display. Adobe Express has some great generative ART!
Mini-Game Challenges: Building on our previous discussion, the summer term is ideal for longer mini-game development projects where students can work individually or in small teams to design and code their own games.
Check out Flock XR! https://flockxr.com/
DfE guidance and toolkit on AI
The leadership toolkit includes support to help school and college leaders to address the risks and opportunities of AI across their whole setting and how to consider AI as part of a wider digital strategy.
The videos in this playlist are part of the safe and effective use of AI in education online resources, developed by the Chiltern Learning Trust and the Chartered College of Teaching.
Thank you for reading this week’s edition!
Stay tuned for more ed tech news, practical classroom ideas, and leadership tips in next week’s update.
Have a topic you’d like covered?
Feel free to reach out with suggestions or feedback.
Have a lovely weekend and enjoy the sunshine
Phillippa
Issue #7 – 13th June 2025
Hello Everyone! Here’s your weekly 5 minutes on Friday digest of tech updates, designed to keep you up to speed on the latest in the world of technology, education, and innovation. We’ve gathered news on everything from curriculum ideas to major tech developments and emerging trends. Enjoy!
Important update from CEOP Education team regarding a new Resources
Send me a pic? has been updated and is available for download now.
What is Send me a pic?
A resource aimed at 11 to 14 year olds, exploring nude image sharing behaviours and nude image-based abuse through the use of short, engaging films and accompanying lesson plans. The Send me a pic? resource is aligned to the RSE curriculum and has the PSHE Association Quality Mark.
What has changed?
Send me a pic? has been updated to reflect research on the topic as well as findings from a pilot study we commissioned on the resource.
Main changes include:
- Adding an additional lesson reflecting research that shows boys are likely to feel pressure from their peers to receive nude images and young people are frequently receiving unsolicited nude images from others that they don’t want to see.
- Lesson length reduced to 40-50 minutes in order for teachers to adapt lesson delivery to class needs and timetables.
- Scenarios cover non-consensual nude image sharing happening on different social media platforms, not solely via text messages, making it more realistic.
Using Send me a pic?
The updated Send me a pic? resource is available for download now at www.ceopeducation.co.uk/professionals/resources/send-me-a-pic/ and use of the previous version of the resource is not permitted or advisable.
If you have been using the existing version of Send me a pic? we ask that you delete these files after downloading the new version of the lesson plan and resources.
Get rewarded for your amazing Adobe Express creations!
Find out more here.
Need some training with Adobe Express?
Sign up here to get your Level 1 certification FRR before the summer holidays!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScFGmYDJmJbuTyqAthMg7DNClE6yXZ3yjrcF_eeS-SpmqPftg/viewform
Thank you for reading this week’s edition!
Stay tuned for more ed tech news, practical classroom ideas, and leadership tips in next week’s update.
Have a topic you’d like covered?
Feel free to reach out with suggestions or feedback.
Have a lovely weekend
Phillippa
Issue #6 – 6th June 2025
Hello Everyone!
I hope you all had a great half term break.
Here’s your weekly 5 minutes on Friday digest of tech updates, designed to keep you up to speed on the latest in the world of technology, education, and innovation. We’ve gathered news on everything from curriculum ideas to major tech developments and emerging trends. Enjoy!
Don’t forget to book your place for this year’s ClickView Celebration event.You don’t need to be a super ClickView user. This is also a fantastic CPD opportunity with lots of great prizes to be won!
Book before 12th June!
Digit All
Digit All is a dedicated charity committed to empowering young people with the digital skills they need to thrive. Founded in February 2022, their mission is to promote digital literacy through engaging and active learning experiences. ‘They understand that the future workforce will heavily rely on digital proficiency, with many jobs yet to exist. Their work aims to equip the next generation with the tools to navigate this landscape successfully.
A great example of their innovative approach is the “Birdwatchers’ Code” project. This initiative combines coding with outdoor exploration, where young people learn to code micro:bits (small programmable devices) to count bird populations, transmit data, and analyze their findings. This hands-on, active learning not only develops crucial digital skills but also fosters an appreciation for the natural world and teamwork.
They have some fantastic interactive resources linked to Climate Action for Key stage 2 and 3.
Check them out here!
Thank you for reading this week’s edition!
Stay tuned for more ed tech news, practical classroom ideas, and leadership tips in next week’s update.
Have a topic you’d like covered?
Feel free to reach out with suggestions or feedback.
Have a lovely weekend
Phillippa
Issue #5 – 7th February 2025
Hello Everyone! Here’s your weekly 5 minutes on Friday digest of tech updates, designed to keep you up to speed on the latest in the world of technology, education, and innovation. We’ve gathered news on everything from curriculum ideas to major tech developments and emerging trends. Enjoy!
Engaging Quizzes with Blooket (Free Basic Version)
Blooket is a visually fun and engaging quiz-style platform that’s designed to engage students with game-based learning interactive quizzes and games.
Lots of quiz options are available on the site, which allows teachers to set work quickly and easily. This also allows for use in class as a group, and as individuals, as well as options for quiz-based learning and assessment outside of the classroom on personal devices.
Blooket offers a fun and engaging platform While there are paid features, the free basic version is surprisingly powerful.
Gamify learning and assess student understanding in a fun and interactive way.
Create quick quizzes to review key concepts, use Blooket for formative assessment, or run friendly competitions in the classroom.
Quick start guide for teachers
Free Stock Photos and Videos with Pexels (Free!)
Pexels offers a vast library of FREE stock photos and videos that you can use in your presentations, websites, and other educational materials.
Enhance your visual content with high-quality images and videos without worrying about copyright issues.
Find the perfect image to illustrate a historical event, create visually appealing presentations, or add a touch of creativity to your classroom resources.
Supporting UK Tech Startups
A recent report by the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee warns that the UK risks becoming an ‘incubator economy’ unless more is done to support tech startups in scaling up to become global competitors. The report emphasizes the need for better funding opportunities, mentorship, and infrastructure to help innovative companies grow within the UK.
School leaders can play a role by fostering entrepreneurial skills and awareness of the tech industry among students, preparing them to contribute to the nation’s digital future.
Thank you for reading this week’s edition!
Stay tuned for more ed tech news, practical classroom ideas, and leadership tips in next week’s update.
Have a topic you’d like covered?
Feel free to reach out with suggestions or feedback.
Have a lovely weekend
Phillippa
Issue #4 – 31st January 2025
Hello Everyone! Here’s your weekly 5 minutes on Friday digest of tech updates, designed to keep you up to speed on the latest in the world of technology, education, and innovation. We’ve gathered news on everything from curriculum ideas to major tech developments and emerging trends. Enjoy!
Understanding AI with Be Internet Legends
We’re kicking off 2025 with two assemblies for primary schools from Be Internet Legends – starting with a focus on artificial intelligence next week.
The Understanding AI assembly on Tuesday 28 January at 9.30am helps children understand what AI is, where they may find it and what it can do.
Following that, we are hosting a Safer Internet Day 2025 assembly on Tuesday 11 February at 9.30am.
This interactive event will help children learn positive skills and behaviours such as safer sharing, fact checking, showing respect and seeking help.
Upcoming Micro:bit webinars allow you to join a group, listen to first-hand explanations, and ask questions in real time:
Introducing micro:bit CreateAI
Learn about our new free online tool for teaching and learning about AI with the micro:bit.
Getting started with the micro:bit
Wednesday 5 February 16:00 GMT
A beginner’s guide to using the micro:bit in the primary classroom.
The Institute of Imagination’s BBC micro:bit – the next gen webinars
Sign up and attend to receive a FREE £150 accessories kit. Limited spaces available!
Wednesday 5 February 2025 at 16:00 GMT
Sign up here
Thank you for reading this week’s edition!
Stay tuned for more ed tech news, practical classroom ideas, and leadership tips in next week’s update.
Have a topic you’d like covered?
Feel free to reach out with suggestions or feedback.
Have a lovely weekend
Phillippa
Issue #3 – 24th January 2025
Hello Everyone! Here’s your weekly 5 minutes on Friday digest of tech updates, designed to keep you up to speed on the latest in the world of technology, education, and innovation. We’ve gathered news on everything from curriculum ideas to major tech developments and emerging trends. Enjoy!
Exciting new interactive online security resources for 7-11 year olds.
Award-winning interactive online security resources for 7-11 year olds.
Young people are growing up in an increasingly digital world, exposing them to both the opportunities and risks of the internet. CyberSprinters empowers them to make smart decisions about staying secure online.
The digital game can be played on phone, tablet and desktop, and is supported by a suite of activities to be led by educational practitioners working with 7-11 year olds. Parents and carers can also try the CyberSprinter puzzles with their children at home!
Safer Internet Day is fast approaching, and I’m sure you all have some fantastic activities planned. Don’t forget that the Safer Internet Centre provides excellent resources to support your work.
Congratulations to our partner organisation ClickView for winning the Primary Resource – Wider Curriculum award at the BETT education show in London this week!
We are fortunate to work with such a fantastic organisation and benefit from their constantly updated curriculum content.
Our next ClickView Huddle will be on Wednesday 5th February and will also serve as an introduction and special welcome to staff from schools who have recently joined!
Invitation to ClickView Huddle
- When: Wednesday, February 5th
- Who: Open to all staff members in Click View schools
- Purpose: Update, refresher, and getting started assistance for ClickView
- Format: Online event
- RSVP: Julia Small ([email protected])
Thank you for reading this week’s edition!
Stay tuned for more ed tech news, practical classroom ideas, and leadership tips in next week’s update.
Have a topic you’d like covered?
Feel free to reach out with suggestions or feedback.
Stay safe in this awful Storm!
Have a lovely weekend
Phillippa
Issue #2 – 17th January 2025
Hello Everyone!
Welcome back and happy new year. I trust you all had a relaxing festive break.
It’s been a busy start to the term for us so I missed sending you last week’s edition. Meaning it’s a bumper edition today!
Lots of training opportunities for you this week and I would also like to take the opportunity to highlight tech developments within South Tyneside that are helping our teachers and students.
Go to this page to book your place
https://www.computingatschool.org.uk/events
BBC Micro:bits
Get 2025 off to a flying start by making sure you’re getting the most out of your BBC micro:bits.
If you enjoy learning with others, these upcoming webinars allow you to join a group, listen to first-hand explanations, and ask questions in real time:
Introducing micro:bit CreateAI
Learn about our new free online tool for teaching and learning about AI with the micro:bit.
Getting started with the micro:bit
Wednesday 5 February 16:00 GMT
A beginner’s guide to using the micro:bit in the primary classroom.
The Institute of Imagination’s BBC micro:bit – the next gen webinars
Sign up and attend to receive a FREE £150 accessories kit.
Limited spaces available!
Thursday 23 January 2025 at 16:00 GMT
Wednesday 5 February 2025 at 16:00 GMT
STYHA – South Tyneside Young Health Ambassadors
We partnered with STYHA to support them in developing a website and podcast on mental health and wellbeing.
This was a hugely successful campaign and we would like to share the website with you and your school community. There are lots of useful information pages and interviews with South Tyneside services who support our young people.
Please share this with your staff and students.
https://sites.google.com/ictinschools.org/styha/home
Stronger Schools South Tyneside
https://southtyneside.strongerschools.org/
Stronger Schools delivers health and wellbeing guidance for educators and other school staff working with primary-school-aged children.
It contains pathways to help school staff recognise and respond to the wellbeing needs of children and provides strengths-based, early-intervention strategies.
Stronger Schools describes how to get support for children, families, and schools when needed from in-school and community-based services.
The content in Stronger Schools is developed with schools and local health and wellbeing professionals, drawing on their knowledge to ensure the information reflects the local system and expert opinion.
Stronger Schools is delivered by an innovative online platform that allows local information to be incorporated into nationally-consistent guidance.
Logging in is very simple, there is one username and password that can be shared with all STAFF – this is not for pupils to access.
Thank you for reading this week’s edition!
Stay tuned for more ed tech news, practical classroom ideas, and leadership tips in next week’s update.
Have a topic you’d like covered?
Feel free to reach out with suggestions or feedback.
Have a lovely weekend
Phillippa
Issue #1 – 10th January 2025
No sent