Laidlaw Schools Trust Launches Apple Regional Training Centre
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Laidlaw Schools Trust Launches Apple Regional Training Centre to Drive Innovation and Inclusion Across the North East
Laidlaw Schools Trust (LST) proudly marked the official launch of its Apple Regional Training Centre (RTC), bringing together educators, industry partners and innovators to explore the future of teaching and learning across the North East.
The launch event centred on four key themes - Accessibility, Innovation, Workload and Digital Destinations - highlighting the Trust’s commitment to ensuring technology enhances education in meaningful, practical and inclusive ways.
Attendees heard from Sally Newton, CEO of Laidlaw Schools Trust and Paul Tullock, Director of PedTech and Innovation, who outlined the vision for the RTC as a hub for collaboration, professional development and regional growth.
Paul Tullock said:
“We’re really proud to be launching the Regional Training Centre as a step beyond just adopting technology and towards genuinely transforming teaching and learning. At Laidlaw Schools Trust, our approach has always been about people first: every teacher equipped to empower. Every pupil empowered to create".
This isn’t just about our Academies. The RTC is about building something bigger for the North East by connecting schools, sharing practice and working alongside industry to open real opportunities for young people. We want to play an active role in supporting the region’s growth, helping to develop the skills, creativity and innovation that the North East needs over the next decade.
What comes next is about momentum: bringing schools together through events, collaboration and practical support, and continuing to grow a network that drives meaningful change in classrooms across the region.”
The event also featured a series of engaging workshops designed to provide practical insights and strategies for educators. These included:
- Leading Inclusive and Adaptive Teaching delivered by Showbie, focusing on accessible classroom practices
- Innovation in Action with Ben Hayden from LST, showcasing real-world examples of digital transformation in schools
- Lightening the Load: AI Tools for Teachers led by Anth Ellison and Victoria Scott from LST, exploring how AI can reduce workload and improve efficiency
The launch marks a significant step in Laidlaw Schools Trust’s mission to support educators and learners through thoughtful integration of technology. The RTC will serve as a regional hub for training, collaboration and the sharing of best practice, with a focus on long-term impact across schools and communities.
A dedicated webpage (below) provides full details on the Apple Regional Training Centre, including upcoming training opportunities and events, and will be regularly updated as the programme develops.
