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.

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๐Ÿ 1. Apple RTC Conference: AI & Accessibility in the Classroom

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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.

๐Ÿ‘‰ RSVP & View the Official Event Flyer: Download the Apple RTC Conference Invite (PDF)

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๐Ÿค– 2. Gemini for Education Event: Newcastle Roadshow

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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.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Secure Your Space: Register for the Gemini Roadshow Newcastle

๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ 3. Online Safety Hub Weekly Highlight: Parental Advice & Digital Safety

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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.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Explore the Article & 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 weekendโ€”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! ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ

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Phillippa Chippendale

ICT in Schools Team

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.

๐Ÿ“‘ 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.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Stay Prepared: Click here to review a comprehensive summary of the key upcoming changes

๐ŸŸ๏ธ 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 โ€“ Computing subject leader at Ellington Primary School.
  • Miles Berry โ€“ Professor of Computing Education at the University of Roehampton.
  • Dr Steve Bunce โ€“ Robotics Partnerships Teacher and STEM Ambassador at RGS Newcastle.
  • Tig Williams โ€“ CAS Master Teacher, Curriculum Specialist, and Trainer.
  • Sarah Zaman โ€“ 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.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Secure Your Space: Register for the Newcastle Conference Here

๐Ÿ“ฑ 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.

๐Ÿ‘‰ 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

Five Minutes on Friday ย #10 3rd July

Welcome to this week’s Five Minutes on Friday digest! As we step into the new month, we have put together a quick round-up of critical digital safety alerts, shifting online risks, and essential guidance to keep your school community safe and informed.

Grab a quick coffee and take five minutes to review what you need to know for Friday, 3rd July 2026.

๐Ÿค– 1. The Rise of AI Companion Apps & Dynamic Chatbots

While schools have focused heavily on web-based generative AI tools, children are increasingly downloading dedicated AI Companion and Chatbot apps onto their personal devices.

The updated June 2026 guidance from the UK Safer Internet Centre highlights a massive shift in digital risk. Traditional web filtering relies on blocking static URLs or specific web categories. However, AI companion apps generate real-time, highly personalized, and completely dynamic content directly within an app environment.

The Safeguarding Risks:

  • Filter Bypassing: Because the text or images are generated on the fly, standard school and home filters struggle to recognize or block harmful, manipulative, or toxic AI-generated outputs.
  • Emotional Dependency: Vulnerable pupils are at risk of developing unhealthy emotional attachments to realistic AI personas. This can isolate them further from real-world support networks or expose them to subtle forms of manipulation and misinformation.

๐ŸŽฎ 2. Evaluating “High-Risk Functionalities” Inside Popular Apps

Safeguarding leads are moving away from evaluating an app simply by its name (e.g., “Is Roblox safe? Is Snapchat safe?”). Instead, the focus is shifting toward the hidden, high-risk functionalities embedded within themโ€”a change that reflects the core focus of the newly outlined Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026.

The primary threats don’t always stem from the app’s main purpose, but rather from specific features running in the background:

  • Stranger Communication in Gaming: Platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, and Discord host open, unmonitored chat channels that allow malicious actors to initiate contact with young players.
  • Live Streaming Risks: Apps featuring built-in live streaming (like TikTok Live or Twitch) expose children to real-time interactions with strangers, pressure to overshare, and immediate exposure to unmoderated explicit content.
  • Location-Sharing Features: Features like Snapchat’s “Snap Map” or geolocation settings on photo-sharing apps can inadvertently broadcast a child’s exact location, school uniform, and daily routines, risking real-world stalking or privacy breaches.

Action for Schools:

When communicating with parents, advise them to move past blanket app bans and focus on feature-level management. Provide clear guidance on how to explicitly switch off live location tracking, restrict direct messages from unknown accounts, and disable real-time stranger voice/text chats within gaming settings.

๐Ÿ”’ 3. Online Safety Hub Highlight: The VPN Vanishing Act

In this week’s spotlight from the South Tyneside Online Safety Hub, we explore how tech-savvy teens are tricking parental controls using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).

Key Insights for Families:

  • Bypassing Restrictions: Young people are increasingly using VPNs to overcome restrictions and bypass parental controls on the internet.
  • How It Works: A VPN enhances privacy and anonymity by concealing a device’s IP address and encrypting internet data.
  • Detection & Prevention: There are a number of methods parents can use to detect a active VPN, but open communication and education remain key to deterring young people from using them to hide their traffic.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Read the full guide: The VPN Vanishing Act: How Tech-Savvy Teens Trick Parental Controls

Thank you for reading this week’s edition! Stay tuned for more EdTech news, practical classroom ideas, and leadership tips in next week’s update.

Have a specific topic or safety trend you would like us to cover? Feel free to reach out to the team with your suggestions or feedback.

Have a great weekend!

Phillippa Chippendale

ICT in Schools Team

Dangerous Viral “Life Hack”: The NeeDoh Squishy Toy Trend

Schools and parents are being urged to speak with children regarding a hazardous viral trend circulating on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube involving popular gel-filled sensory toys like NeeDoh (“Nice Cubes” and “Jelly Cubes”). Online videos are falsely marketing a “life hack” that claims microwaving the silicone toys makes them softer and more pliable. In reality, the silicone insulation traps intense heat while remaining cool to the touch on the outside; when children later squeeze the toy, it bursts and sprays boiling gel. This trend has already resulted in severe, second- and third-degree facial and hand burns in both the UK and the US, with some cases requiring specialised burn unit care. Because these toys are safe when used as intended at room temperature, it is vital to educate pupils that online challenges modifying everyday items can carry catastrophic physical risks.