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 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.
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.
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 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 for your pupils' futures.
KS3 & KS4 - meets the new RSHE statutory requirements
The updated RSHE guidance becomes compulsory from 1 September 2026 and explicitly requires schools to teach pupils about deepfakes, AI-generated content, and the law. This session meets those requirements in full.
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 in a world of synthetic media.
This session is in development. Get in touch to register interest.
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
AI Ready NE works directly with school leadership, trust procurement leads and local authority teams - making it straightforward to get sessions in place.
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.
"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 NEBased in Newcastle. Built for the region. Not a national provider parachuting in.
A career working with world-class brands including adidas and Dr. Martens. Real-world expertise, not theory.
Understanding Large Language Models and how they're fundamentally changing the way businesses and people operate.
Two children under 7. A genuine personal stake in getting this right for the next generation.
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.
Fill in the form and we'll get back to you within two working days.
Or drop a direct email to:
✉️ mark.mcmeekin@aireadyne.co.uk
We'll be in touch within two working days. In the meantime, feel free to email mark.mcmeekin@aireadyne.co.uk directly.