Innovate North 2026

Something exciting is happening in Bradford this June.

Innovate North is back and this year it’s bigger, bolder and better than ever. It’s the only event of its kind in Yorkshire, bringing together educators and leaders who are doing things differently and seeing real impact in their classrooms.

1. Pause. Question. Decide. Practical AI Routines for Critical Thinking in FE 

Presented by Aleks House:

This session focuses on a simple shift: from using AI to questioning it. You’ll three practical routines to help learners slow down, check information and decide what to trust. The takeaway: critical thinking with AI comes from small, consistent habits, not new tools.

2. Design Smarter, Not Harder: Using Microsoft Copilot Teach to Plan, Assess, and Differentiate Learning

Presented by Microsoft – Clara Heppleston: 

This session introduces educators to Microsoft Copilot Teach, showing how AI can be used responsibly to support lesson planning, assessment design, and differentiation. Participants will explore how Copilot Teach helps generate lesson structures, quizzes, rubrics, and study resources aligned to curriculum goals—saving time while keeping educators firmly in control of pedagogy. The session focuses on practical classroom use, ethical AI considerations, and real examples educators can adapt immediately.

3. What is Edpuzzle and how can it help me!

Presented by Edpuzzle – Rob Jones:

Find out more about Edpuzzle as an interactive learning tool and what that actually means. See how our youtube partnership works and preview what is coming to Edpuzzle in 2026 with lots of exciting new features on the way.

4. Connected Communities: Exploring Digital Tech to Bridge the Digital Gap

Presented by Seima Mahmood & Craig Clarkson:

Our Adult Skills learners are stepping out of their comfort zones and into the world of immersive digital learning. Through a range of digital platforms, metaverse learning experiences, and our innovative Innokit—packed with digital equipment designed to help learners progress in life—students across the community are exploring new and engaging ways to build their skills and confidence. Showcasing their achievements highlights how embracing digital tools not only enhances learning but also supports our commitment to bridging the digital gap. By offering equal opportunities both on the main campus and within the community, we ensure fairness, inclusion, and meaningful access to digital education for all learners. Come along to our workshop session and let’s learn how to bridge the gap together.

5. Escape From Frankenstein or Fall to Pieces!

Presented by Bradford College Library – Emma Luby, James Golab & Alan Macintyre:

The Library presents their escape room based on the novel Frankenstein designed for student’s who attended the Frankenstein reading groups. The session makes use of the technology in the Immersive room to challenge guests to solve grammar based puzzles using VR, ThingLink and Canva against a theatrical backdrop.

6. Canva AI in Action: Magic Activities and Canva Code

Presented by Canva – Adwoa Mhango:

In this 45 minute session I will introduce participants to the Canva AI features of Magic Activities and Canva Code and explore how they can be used to innovate teaching.

7. Leading Meaningful Digital Transformation at The Manchester College

Presented by The Manchester College: Alison Cunningham (Director of Quality), Rajesh Mistry (Quality Manager), Suad Kelkal (AI and Digital Innovation Lead) & Louise McIntyre (Learning Technology Manager):

Digital transformation is not about adopting technology for its own sake, but about improving teaching, learning and assessment in ways that genuinely work for staff and students. This session shares how our Digital Learning Team at The Manchester College works across quality, curriculum and IT to translate strategy into practical classroom impact. We will explore how we support staff confidence, pilot and evaluate emerging digital and AI tools responsibly and how the AI Teaching

Alliance has turned innovation into every day practice. Attendees will leave with transferable approaches for leading digital change in complex education environments.

8. Joined session:

Connected Classrooms of the Future – Closing the Skills Gap, Enriching Curriculum, and Boosting Engagement

Presented by ClassView – Robert Bailey:

Step into the future of collaborative education with ClassView Immersive Classrooms, the only solution designed to break down the walls between physical learning spaces. Join our session to discover how these spaces can be leveraged to deliver rich learning environments that connect learners across multiple locations simultaneously. Whether you are looking to broaden curriculum offer, or bridge the skills gap, learn how ClassView ensures a consistent, high-engagement experience that keeps every student – regardless of their location – at the heart of teaching and learning.

Also presented by Bradford College – Michelle Swallow: 

The 360 Learning Lab – using immersive learning to boost creativity for GCSE English resit learners:

This session is an engaging practical session in the immersive room. You will see first hand how immersing learners in a virtual environment including audio-visual content supports learners to engage with the content and produce creative narrative writing. This is a pilot project under the Let Teachers Shine umbrella so you will get to be some of the first people to see this in action and provide feedback on your experience.

9. Using Digital Influence Analysis to Shift Practice at Scale

Presented by Heart of Yorkshire Education Group – Rob Lea:

Digital transformation isn’t about skills alone – it’s about influence. This session introduces Digital Influence Analysis, showing how colleges can identify informal influencers, redesign CPD for real impact, and move from digital data to sustained changes in teaching practice.

10. Coding the College: Building Custom AI Solutions for FE with Google AI Studio

Presented by Shipley College – Luke Terry:

Why wait for the perfect educational app when you can build it yourself using nothing but your natural language? This session introduces the concept of vibe coding – using Google AI Studio to rapidly prototype bespoke applications specific to your college needs.

Innovation Hub: