Northumberland ICT & eLearning

The ‘for information’ version of KCSIE 2025 is now available. Updates this year are, in the main, technical, however we do see the addition of misinformation, disinformation and conspiracy theories added to the list of safeguarding harms as well as a link to the recently released Generative AI guidance and a reference to the cyber security standards for schools.

In addition to this, new RSHE guidance was published on the 15th July. With regards to online harms this guidance now includes:

• Pornography's negative influence on sexual attitudes and behaviours
• Deepfakes and AI-generated imagery
• Sextortion and online scams
• Harmful online content
• The serious legal consequences of sharing indecent images of under-18s

Given the increasing focus on online harms in KCSIE and the updated RSHE guidance mentioned above, it's more important than ever to ensure your team receive the latest guidance.

We have a range of online training opportunities available to book including a general annual online safety update, Cyber Awareness, an introduction to AI in the classroom and deep dives into filtering and monitoring, the dark web and nude image sharing amongst others.

If you haven't already done so please take a look at the dates available and contact us to reserve your places.

We've had great feedback from schools already using the Northumberland Online Safety Audit. If you're yet to get started you can find out more using the link below.

The audit will remain accessible until the end of August for those of you yet to submit for the 24-25 school year. Please ensure that once you have completed each section, you return to the overview page and click submit.

Once KCSIE 2025 is fully published the audit will be updated to reflect the changes mentioned above and will be available from September 3rd onwards for schools to make amendments for the 25-26 school year.

In a recent update Google have made two AI tools, Gemini and Notebook LM, available to Google Edu users. As with any new digital tool, schools should consider the risks and benefits of their implementation and also ensure that their introduction has been discussed with staff and policies updated to reflect their use.

Gemini and Notebook LM are switched off by default for the School360 domain. We'd encourage interested schools to join our 'Introduction to AI' session initially, update policies and then request access be granted for staff. This email must come from the head teacher.

We are delighted to open sign-up for the 2025/26 season 'Unearthed' FIRST LEGO League Challenge season. Sage will be once again sponsoring the event and covering entry fees for schools in SLA1.

There are limited places available so all places will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.

FIRST LEGO League Challenge is a global STEM programme for students aged 9-16 years old. Teams must work together over a number of months to design, build and programme a LEGO Technic robot to solve a series of missions linked to the annual theme. They must also complete an Innovation Project to test their creative thinking, engineering, research and presentation skills. Teams come together at the end of the season for a tournament to decide who the champion team is.

Next term will see the launch of our online safety session for parents and carers.

We'll be discussing what young people are getting up to online, the risks and benefits of having access to the internet, plus a range of strategies and resources that can be adopted to help support our young people to be careful, confident, discerning users of the internet.

Dates will be added to our training guide, along with details of how to join, in Autumn term.

Have you reserved your computing kit for the new school year? From Microbits to iPads, this kit can be used to teach a computing unit of work, or enhance ICT across the curriculum. We'll also provide training and resources if requested.

Please use the link below to see what's available and then email us with your preferred half term asap.

Please get in touch to request support or reserve a place on any of our training sessions.

jennifer.harris@northumberland.gov.uk

jordan.graham@northumberland.gov.uk

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