AI is already shaping the world your pupils are growing up in. AI Ready NE delivers in-person sessions that help children understand it, engage with it critically, and see the opportunities it holds for their futures.
"AI Ready NE exists to ensure every young person in the North East understands the technology that will define their future - the risks, the opportunities, and the skills they'll need to succeed in a world of work that is already changing around them."
Why it matters
The world of work your pupils will enter is already being reshaped by AI. New careers are emerging. Existing ones are changing. And the skills needed to succeed in that world look very different to the ones being taught today.
The national curriculum was last updated in 2014. It wasn't built for this moment. Teachers are doing everything they can, but keeping pace with the fastest moving technology in human history was never their responsibility.
That's the gap AI Ready NE exists to fill.
No AI in the curriculum
The national computing curriculum hasn't been updated since 2014 and contains no direct mention of AI. An update is coming but it won't reach classrooms for some time.
Teachers need support
40% of primary teachers rate their confidence in teaching computing as low or very low. Keeping up with AI was never their responsibility. It's ours.
The opportunity is real
The North East has committed £750,000 to ensuring 30,000 primary children benefit from early AI and digital skills. The region is moving. Schools need a partner to help them move with it.
What we offer
Every session is delivered in person, planned around your needs, and designed to work within your existing timetable and facilities. No specialist equipment required.
The introductory session - a whole-year-group starting point
A whole-year-group session designed to spark curiosity and build a shared foundation - what AI actually is, where it already exists, and why it matters.
Deeper engagement for smaller groups
A workshop-format session that builds on the foundations - exploring how AI can mislead, the importance of critical thinking, and how to stay safe.
Custom delivery for councils, MATs and specific needs
Working with local authorities, multi-academy trusts or community groups? We can design sessions around your specific audience, objectives and context.
Who we work with
Assembly and workshop sessions for KS2, starting with Year 6. Designed to be delivered with no specialist equipment and minimal preparation from staff.
Working with individual academies or trust-wide rollout programmes. We're happy to work with procurement leads and governors to establish a delivery framework.
Supporting councils to understand what's being delivered in schools and where gaps exist - including community-facing sessions for parents and carers.
About
Mark McMeekin is a Newcastle-based digital marketing and communications professional with over 12 years of experience working with some of the world's most recognised brands, including adidas and Dr. Martens.
Over the last two years, Mark has spent significant time understanding AI and Large Language Models like ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Claude, seeing firsthand how fundamentally they are changing the way businesses operate, communicate and deliver their services.
But the driving force behind AI Ready NE is closer to home. As a father of two children under 7 in the North East, Mark became increasingly aware of a widening gap between how fast AI is moving and how little preparation young people are receiving for the world it's creating. The curriculum hasn't kept up. Teachers haven't been given the tools or training to bridge that gap. And children are heading towards a world of work that will look nothing like the one their parents entered.
"AI Ready NE exists because there's an AI skills gap that needs to be filled now, not when the curriculum catches up. I'm proud to be from the North East and I'm deeply committed to ensuring children in the region can gain the skills to thrive in an AI-driven world.
This isn't a national programme being parachuted in, it's something built in the North East, for the North East."
Mark McMeekin, Founder - AI Ready NENorth East rooted
Based in Newcastle. Built for the region. Not a national provider parachuting in.
Over 12 years in digital
A career working with world-class brands including adidas and Dr. Martens. Real-world expertise, not theory.
Two years deep in AI
Understanding Large Language Models and how they're fundamentally changing the way businesses and people operate.
A father's perspective
Two children under 7. A genuine personal stake in getting this right for the next generation.
An engaging communicator
A natural presenter who thrives in a room. Sessions are engaging, energetic and built around the audience.
Get in touch
Whether you're a head teacher exploring what AI literacy could look like in your school, a trust looking to roll something out across multiple settings, or a council wanting to understand the landscape, we'd love to hear from you.
Get in touch and we'll take it from there.