Just Launched
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Just Launched 〰️
An afterschool club that prepares children to thrive in the digital world
We equip 8-11 year olds with the critical thinking skills and mindset they need to tackle real-world challenges online.
The challenges
Children today are surrounded by technology, but don’t yet have the skills to use it responsibly or understand the real-world challenges it brings.
Teaching online safety, digital ethics, and responsible technology use can be challenging. Without real-life context, these topics can feel abstract, making it hard for children to see the relevance.
Parents often think it's the school's problem to manage technology use and the issues that come with it.
Parents feel under pressure because managing children's online lives is something we haven't experienced ourselves while growing up.
Our mission
In a world that's changing faster than schools and parents can keep up, it's becoming harder than ever for the school community to manage children's online lives.
We support the whole school community by delivering engaging, real-world PSHE experiences that genuinely resonate with children and spark meaningful conversations with parents.
By starting these conversations early, we empower children (and parents) not just to stay safe, but to confidently thrive in whatever comes next.
How the Mindful Digital Collective works
Digital citizenship for Years 5–6, delivered without screens. A 5-week, termly journey that brings the whole school together to prepare children for life online.
Before the sessions
Before we begin, we send a consent form and a short survey to parents. The survey asks a few simple questions to help us understand your current knowledge and confidence in the areas we’ll be covering with your child.
We also speak with the school to find out if there are any specific topics or challenges they’d like us to explore during the sessions.
At the end of every session, we’ll send an email to parents with a summary of what we’ve covered. It includes simple conversation starters to help you continue the discussion at home and a few helpful resources if you'd like to explore the topic further
Session 1
Being Kind is Cool
We introduce ourselves to the children with honesty, curiosity and warmth. It’s important they feel they can relate to us and trust us.
This session focuses on how to conduct themselves online, understanding digital footprints, managing difficult situations, and most of all, being kind in digital spaces
Skills we encourage:
Clear & kind communication & Emotional intelligence
Session 2
Think Before You Click
In this session, we focus on staying safe online. We talk about phishing, protecting personal details, and what to do if something feels off. Most of all, we encourage children to pause and think, especially if something feels too good to be true.
Skills we encourage:
Critical thinking
Session 3
What is AI?
We dive into the world of artificial intelligence - what it is, where we use it, who builds it, and how it learns.
We also start an age-appropriate conversation about AI’s impact, including bias, the environment, and how to use it responsibly.
Skills we encourage:
Critical thinking, Curiosity, Creativity, Focus
Session 4
Hooked to Our Screens
Why is it so hard to put our screens down?
We explore how social media works, why it’s designed to keep us engaged, and how algorithms influence what we see. We also talk about good and not-so-good tech use, and how to notice the difference.
Skills we encourage:
Critical thinking, Curiosity, Focus
Session 5
Meet the Parents
Our final session brings everyone together. Parents are invited to join us for the session.
You’ll hear directly from the children about what they’ve explored, and you’ll leave with a better understanding of the digital world they’re growing up in and how you can support them.
After the sessions
We’ll send a final survey to parents, asking the same questions from the start. This helps us see how your understanding and confidence have grown.
We also welcome feedback, what challenges you're facing, and how we can improve the experience for future families.
Primary schools
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Primary schools 🚌
Feedback
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Emma Roberts - Head teacher
‘We're really grateful for everything Nick has done and can't wait to keep working with him. His dedication to promoting digital well-being and supporting educational initiatives is truly inspiring’
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Greg Proudfoot - Teacher
"Lovely to have you in. The children really enjoyed it. You did a brilliant job landing some very important messages. Will highly recommend you to other schools"
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Kat Thurtle - Teacher
Nick was great at creating a workshop that was specific to our students' needs and the issues they have encountered online. By using real life examples he immediately engaged the group and through interactive activities was able to address a multitude of areas in a relevant way. The workshop was adapted to the needs of our students with the language and terminology used explained in a clear way for them to understand. He was responsive to the questions they posed and all of the group came away having learnt new things.
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The fine print
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How does this align with the current curriculum and timetable?
The club complements the PSHE and computing curriculum by focusing on online safety, digital ethics, and problem-solving. It runs as an afterschool program, so it doesn’t disrupt regular lessons.
Will this replace or complement
existing lessons on online safety?It complements existing lessons by offering hands-on, practical activities that help children apply what they’ve learned to real-life situations.
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How does this support our compliance with safeguarding guidelines like KCSIE?
The club directly supports KCSIE by teaching children how to stay safe online, recognise risks, and act responsibly. It aligns with safeguarding priorities.
Will this help us demonstrate our commitment to online safety during inspections?
Yes, it highlights the school’s proactive approach to teaching online safety through innovative and engaging methods, reinforcing your safeguarding efforts.
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Grow many children can take part?
An ideal sprint team is around 7, but we can make it work with more or less.
How long will the program take, and how often will lessons occur?
The club runs weekly after school, with each session lasting 60–90 minutes. It’s flexible and designed to fit into your schedule.
What training or support will staff need to deliver this effectively?
Minimal training is needed. The program is fully facilitated, and any supporting staff will receive a short briefing.
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How will you ensure the lessons are engaging and age-appropriate?
Each session uses interactive, real-world challenges. Activities include group work, role-play, and creative projects to keep children engaged.
How do you plan to address the diverse needs of students, including those with SEND?
The activities are flexible and inclusive, with clear instructions and adjustments for different learning needs. SEND students will be supported with tailored tasks and additional guidance.
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How will you engage and educate parents about their role in online safety?
Parents will be invited to an optional part of the sprint. At the end, there will be a presentation where children showcase their work, ensuring parents feel involved and informed.
What resources will you provide for them?
Parents will receive easy-to-use materials like checklists, digital safety guides, and conversation tips to support their children’s learning at home.
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What budget or resources will this require from the school?
All resources and materials will be provided, so there’s no additional cost to the school.
The focus will not be to put the children in front of a screen, but instead to think and to develop critical thinking skills
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What evidence do you have that this approach works?
Design sprints are proven to build critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Hands-on learning helps kids retain and apply what they learn, especially for complex topics like online safety.
How will you measure the program’s success?
Success will be measured through feedback from children, parents, and teachers. Over time, we’ll track how well children handle digital challenges to show the lasting impact of the program.
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How will you address topics like cyberbullying, grooming, or inappropriate content in an age- appropriate way?
These topics will be framed in a positive, practical way, focusing on steps children can take, like blocking/reporting harmful content. Scenarios will be relatable and empowering.
What safeguards will you have for children who might disclose personal issues during lessons?
Any disclosures will be handled sensitively by following the school’s safeguarding procedures, with immediate referral to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).