Schools Challenge
Morpeth Leisure Centre, Northumberland
About Tech Talent Live
The Schools Challenge will return to the TechNExt festival for the third year, taking a slightly different format from the previous two years. The challenge will continue to be an opportunity for children in the North East to engage in tech and with tech employers within the region, as part of the regional festival.
Technology is all around us, but sometimes it‘s difficult to understand what a career in the tech industry might be like - the Schools Challenge will help school children get an insight into the industry.
By focusing on ‘Tech for Good’ - the Challenge will inform and encourage school children to develop an innovative tech-based solution that addresses a real life problem and could help them and the world they live in!
Target Audience
The Schools Challenge will focus on engaging students across the North East, between the ages of 9-13 years old. We are keen to encourage participation from students with SEND needs from both specialist schools and those attending mainstream schools.
Skills Development
- Problem Solving
- Research
- Design
- Creative Thinking
- Presenting
- Team Work
Programme
- 9:30am - Arrival of school groups
- 9.45am - Workshops and demonstrations of tech equipment. Students will begin to generate ideas for challenge output
- 10.45am - Morning break
- 11am - Consolidation of ideas - challenge output created
- 12pm - Lunch - Students will be required to bring a packed lunch
- 12.30pm - Challenge showcase
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay to take part in the Schools Challenge?
The Schools Challenge is free for schools to take part. There is funding available to support schools with travel costs.
Is the Schools Challenge open to all schools?
The challenge is open to all schools, including home schools, in the North East region (Sunderland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Gateshead, Durham, Newcastle, Northumberland and Tees Valley). We are keen to engage more SEND students, both from specialist and mainstream schools.
Will the participating children get any prizes for taking part?
All participating schools will receive a certificate.
Is there funding available for travel?
Yes, if required, funding will be available to schools attending the Schools Challenge. You can let us know whether you would require funding in your application to take part.
Am I guaranteed a place in the Schools Challenge?
We hope that all applying schools will be able to participate in the Schools Challenge, but this will be determined by how many applications we receive. We will let schools know either way in early May.
How do I apply to take part?
Simply fill in an application form. If your application is successful, we’ll be in touch via email with another form that will help us gather all the information we need from you about your school group and participating students.
When do I need to apply by?
The deadline for submitting your application is Friday 1 May.
Exhibitors at Tech Talent Live
Browse some of the fantastic companies exhibiting at Tech Talent Live.
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Tech Talent Live Lightning Talks
All lightning talks were held in Committee Room 1, an easily accessible room overlooking the main careers fair hall. The talks typically lasted 10 to 15 minutes per subject.
Schedule:
15:00 – Breaking into Tech: No Technical Experience? No Problem!
Discover how people from retail, music, healthcare and more are building new tech careers through low code platforms, self-learning and support from inclusive communities. This session will share powerful real-life stories and practical advice to help you confidently take your first step into tech without a traditional background.
15:30 – Why Can’t Women Thrive in Tech?
With women facing unique challenges in tech, this session will provide actionable strategies to overcome barriers like imposter syndrome and bias. You’ll gain practical advice on building confidence, developing key skills, and expanding your network to thrive in the tech sector.
16:00 – Ever Wondered About Public Sector Tech Jobs? It’s More Exciting Than You Think!
Think public sector tech is all red tape? Think again. This fast-paced session unveils how digital roles in government shape essential services used by millions, from tax collection to digital operations across departments. Discover how you can make a real impact while enjoying benefits like flexibility, job security, and room to grow. No matter your background, this could be your most exciting move yet!
16:30 – The Secret Skills That Get You Hired (and Promoted)
While technical skills open doors, soft skills like communication, adaptability, and collaboration drive career growth. This session will highlight the key soft skills tech employers value most and provide actionable tips on how to develop and showcase them.
17:00 – Want to Innovate? Try Content Design.
Discover how content design plays a crucial role in driving innovation within the tech sector. This session will introduce you to the skills and opportunities in content design and provide clear steps to start your career.
17:30 – What if 15 minutes could shed light on why your CV gets ghosted?
In this quick lightning talk you will learn about common CV pitfalls that prevent your application from standing out and practical tips to avoid them. This session is perfect for job seekers who want to make simple and effective improvements without rewriting their entire resume.
Overview
The Schools Challenge will return to the TechNExt festival for the third year, taking a slightly different format from the previous two years. The challenge will continue to be an opportunity for children in the North East to engage in tech and with tech employers within the region, as part of the regional festival.
Technology is all around us, but sometimes it‘s difficult to understand what a career in the tech industry might be like - the Schools Challenge will help school children get an insight into the industry.
By focusing on ‘Tech for Good’ - the Challenge will inform and encourage school children to develop an innovative tech-based solution that addresses a real life problem and could help them and the world they live in!
Target Audience
The Schools Challenge will focus on engaging students across the North East, between the ages of 9-13 years old. We are keen to encourage participation from students with SEND needs from both specialist schools and those attending mainstream schools.
Skills Development
- Problem Solving
- Research
- Design
- Creative Thinking
- Presenting
- Team Work
Programme
- 9:30am - Arrival of school groups
- 9.45am - Workshops and demonstrations of tech equipment. Students will begin to generate ideas for challenge output
- 10.45am - Morning break
- 11am - Consolidation of ideas - challenge output created
- 12pm - Lunch - Students will be required to bring a packed lunch
- 12.30pm - Challenge showcase
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay to take part in the Schools Challenge?
The Schools Challenge is free for schools to take part. There is funding available to support schools with travel costs.
Is the Schools Challenge open to all schools?
The challenge is open to all schools, including home schools, in the North East region (Sunderland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Gateshead, Durham, Newcastle, Northumberland and Tees Valley). We are keen to engage more SEND students, both from specialist and mainstream schools.
Will the participating children get any prizes for taking part?
All participating schools will receive a certificate.
Is there funding available for travel?
Yes, if required, funding will be available to schools attending the Schools Challenge. You can let us know whether you would require funding in your application to take part.
Am I guaranteed a place in the Schools Challenge?
We hope that all applying schools will be able to participate in the Schools Challenge, but this will be determined by how many applications we receive. We will let schools know either way in early May.
How do I apply to take part?
Simply fill in an application form. If your application is successful, we’ll be in touch via email with another form that will help us gather all the information we need from you about your school group and participating students.
When do I need to apply by?
The deadline for submitting your application is Friday 1 May.
Speakers
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How to get involved
Please read the information back below, and then fill out an expression of interest form. This will let us know you’d like to take part, what age the participating children are and whether you’d like any support from us or an ‘industry mentor.’
Plan your challenge, consider your resources and the participating students. Challenges can be completed in small or large groups. but please be aware that only 8-10 students from selected schools will be able to attend the celebration event.
Submit your challenge responses via our online form below. Your school can submit up to 10 entries. The deadline for responses is Friday 9 May, 2025. Please get in touch if you are struggling to meet the deadline.
The Schools Challenge steering committee will identify a small group of students from selected schools to be invited to a celebration event on the morning of Friday 20 June at South Shields Customs House.
If selected, you will be invited to attend by 23 May. There will also be an opportunity to display students‘ work as part of a number of public
exhibitions across local authority areas.
If you have any issues, contact us via email: getinvolved@technext.co.uk
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