Five Minutes on Friday #11 10th July 2026

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.

πŸ“‘ 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.

πŸ‘‰ 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.

πŸ‘‰ Secure Your Space: Register for the Newcastle Conference Here

πŸ“± 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.

πŸ‘‰ 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!

Phillippa Chippendale

ICT in Schools Team