Cyber security, AI and people: Digital Oversight for School Leaders

This non technical course is designed to support staff with leadership roles in schools and trusts to manage digital risk. It will support school leaders with decision making on cyber security and AI matters. Course content will include AI opportunities and risks, organisational cyber security and governance requirements.

Course Information

The session demystifies cybersecurity and AI risk, focusing on the areas that matter most: people, policy and processes. You will explore practical questions such as:

  • What is AI & what are the main risks I should consider?
  • What risks are IT and EdTech vendors not responsible for?
  • Where does my school or Trust sit in the cyber and AI maturity spectrum?
  • What does effective digital leadership look like today?

    Course Tutor

    Dr Keerthi Rajendran is an AI and cybersecurity analyst investigating digital resilience in UK schools, the course draws on recent interviews with Northeast MAT leaders, UK school incident cases and the latest guidance from the DfE and NCSC.

    If you are interested in a different format e.g. online, on-site, or as a closed and tailored session for your team, please let us know by emailing llahub@newcastle.ac.uk

    • Book this course

    To register

    Sign in

    For more information

    Learning Outcomes

    Attendees will be better able to make decisions around cyber security and AI, and to develop school-specific tools for managing digital risk.

    Practical outcomes:

  • Needs analysis & checklist for cyber security (or AI) policy.
  • Draft high-level incident response plan.
  • AI adoption-risk checklist based on DfE guide.

    Course Agenda

  • Role of leadership in preventing cyber security breaches
  • Overview of current guidance, regulatory landscape & trends.
  • AI use in schools:
  • What exactly is AI - how do we prevent AI tools from compromising safety or data protection?
  • Why AI adoption raises cyber-security stakes.
  • What are the common vulnerabilities when integrating AI tools.
  • Cyber security case studies
  • Governance, safeguarding, and policy considerations
  • Developing incident awareness and response.

    Course Dates

    Course Start Date:  Thursday, July 16, 2026 1:00 PM

    Course End Date :  Thursday, July 16, 2026 4:00 PM

    Enrolment Dates

    Enrolment Start Date:  Wednesday, May 27, 2026 8:00 AM

    Enrolment End Date :  Sunday, July 12, 2026 8:00 AM

    Course Location

    Newcastle University

    Course Tutor/s

    Dr Keerthi Rajendran

    Course Delivery Type

    Face to Face in-person icon

    Book This Course

    To register

    Sign in

    Course Fees

    Price per attendee is £75.00 (zero VAT)