Back

Festival Of Computing OCR Fringe Event 2026

A sneak peek at the afternoon line-up

24 March 2026

The Festival of Computing 2026, co-founded and hosted by Bromsgrove School with AQA as headline sponsor, is the UK’s ultimate secondary computing education event. 

Happening on Wednesday 1 July 2026, at Bromsgrove School the festival is packed with hands-on CPD sessions, inspiring keynotes, networking opportunities, and a vibrant marketplace — everything you need to sharpen your computer science teaching skills and stay ahead in computing education.

Tickets are now available! 

OCR Fringe Event

The Fringe Event will take place in the marquee at 15:45, the perfect way to round off a day of inspiration. Tea, coffee, and biscuits will be available as you enjoy a packed line-up of short, inspiring talks from some of the brightest minds in computing education. This year, the Fringe Event section of the Festival of Computing is sponsored by Cambridge OCR.

Fringe Speakers

  • 15:50 – Becci Peters (CAS/BCS) – Free AI CPD
  • 15:56 – Matthias De Witte & Peter Dawyndt (Dodona Learning Technologies) Dodona: your online co-teacher for programming classes
  • 16:02 – Paul McKnight (VEX Robotics) – Competitive Robotics – Bringing Sport to STEM
  • 16:08 – Pete Dring (Fulford School) SEND in Computing: Quick wins for lessons, clubs & competitions
  • 16:14 – Harry Wake & Anna Wake (Mission Encodeable) Free Python coding tutorials to help students become confident, engaged, and exam-ready
  • 16:20 – Kat Morgan (Mindjoy) – Talking to your AI changes the Learning Paradigm
  • 16:26 – Becky Patel (Tech She Can) – Inspiring the next generation into technology careers
  • 16:32 – Alan Harrison (Harrison Proserv Ltd.) – One problem, six solutions – stretch the more able programmers with SIX HACK!
  • 16:38 – Gary McNab (The CODE Show) – Celebrating how 1980’s Britain entered the computing age

Don’t miss this fast-paced, insightful afternoon packed with tips, inspiration, and practical takeaways to enhance your teaching and spark your students’ creativity.

We can’t wait to see you there.

Related posts

Is AI a panacea?

AI is moving from experimentation to expectation in schools. But as adoption grows, the focus must shift from simply using AI to using it well. Discover how schools can balance workload, learning, safety and professional judgement — without losing the human element of great teaching.

4 September 2026

Digital ID cards: The future of work or a privacy nightmare?

Are digital ID cards the future of convenience or a threat to privacy? Explore the benefits, risks, and debate behind the UK’s proposed digital ID system.

31 August 2026

Why does your phone get dimmer in the sun?

Ever wondered why your phone dims when you’re in the sun? It’s not being lazy—your device is protecting itself from heat, battery strain, and OLED burn-in.

28 August 2026

Do we really use database normalisation in the real world?

Database normalisation keeps data consistent and tidy, but in the real world, speed often wins over strict rules. Discover how companies like Twitter balance correctness with performance.

26 August 2026

Why do batteries get worse over time?

Ever wondered why your phone battery doesn’t last like it used to? Lithium-ion batteries degrade over time due to stress, heat, and chemical reactions, slowly reducing their charge capacity.

24 August 2026

Why does a weak signal drain your phone battery so fast?

Ever wondered why your phone battery drains so fast when the signal’s weak? It’s not the battery’s fault—your handset is panicking, shouting at towers, and retransmitting data nonstop.

21 August 2026

Why September nerves can be a good thing.

For many teachers, the final week of the summer holiday brings a strange mix of excitement and nerves. But with the right preparation, organisation and routines, those September jitters can become a positive force. Find out how to start the new academic year feeling more confident, organised and in control.

What is refactoring?

Refactoring is the process of improving your code without changing what it does. Discover why every professional programmer loves a good refactor and how it keeps your code efficient, readable, and ready for the future.

19 August 2026

Every teacher has a superpower, but do you know yours?

Every teacher has a superpower – but what is yours? We explore the qualities, skills and passion that make great teachers, and why recognising your own strengths can make all the difference in the classroom.

17 August 2026