Programme

William is a parent, a governor, and former pupil of Strabane Primary School. For the past three years, he and his 11 yr son Otto, have been hosting an afterschool coding club for P6 students exploring the capabilities of the BBC Micro:bit through block coding in Microsoft MakeCode.

TJ designs and leads dynamic educational projects and events, drawing on 10 years experience in tertiary education. As Technology and Innovation Officer at EEECS, he bridges high-level strategy with hands-on delivery. He specialises in building frameworks and programmes that scale impact, turning complex visions into engaging, real-world learning experiences.

Errol Martin is the Director of IT at Friends’ School Lisburn and Founder of Code Clock, which delivers coding, robotics and creative technology experiences for young people. He is an experienced teacher of GCSE and A-level Digital Technology, Computer Science and Software Systems Development, and is passionate about using technology to enhance learning and open up exciting opportunities for pupils. With over 20 years of teaching experience, including more than 15 years as Head of IT, Errol has seen first-hand the transformative power of computer science and its potential to prepare young people for future study, employment and careers in the digital sector. He has held numerous roles within CCEA, including Chief Examiner, Moderator and Examiner, giving him a deep understanding of curriculum design, assessment standards and how best to guide students towards success. Before entering teaching, Errol worked in programming with Canon UK Ltd, an experience which allows him to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application. His teaching is strongly influenced by Seymour Papert’s constructionist view of learning. As a pioneering figure in computational thinking, Papert’s belief that young people learn most powerfully when they build, program, experiment and create with technology continues to shape Errol’s approach to teaching.Errol believes that computing education should go beyond examination preparation, nurturing curiosity, creativity, resilience, problem-solving and a genuine love of learning. In his role as Director of IT, Errol has also guided the school’s robotics teams to win the UK Schools FIRST Tech Challenge, the premier UK schools robotics competition, in 2023 and again this year in 2026.

Averil Morrow has been an enthusiastic advocate for the use of digital technology in education since the mid 1980s, when she became one of the first teachers in Northern Ireland to integrate a BBC microcomputer into her classroom practice. This commitment to innovation continued throughout her career.As the former Head of Service for Professional Learning and Development in the Education Authority, and subsequently Acting Assistant Director of Education, Averil worked extensively with schools and teachers to maximise the educational potential of digital technologies. She played a significant role in developing the business case for EdIS, the managed service for schools and served as a member of the EdIS Programme Board during her tenure in the Education Authority.In her role within the Education Authority, Averil also held responsibility for the AmmA Centre in Armagh, one of three Creative Learning Centres in Northern Ireland part funded by Northern Ireland Screen. This work involved leading and managing programmes for teachers and young people in digital creativity, including film making, animation, game design, music production, digital manufacture, and computational thinking.

John Anderson is Visiting Professor of Education at Ulster University, Independent Chair of the Innovation Forum, and Head Judge of the NI Schools ICT Excellence Awards. A former senior Inspector, he is on the Council of CCEA, is a member of the Education Authority’s Education Information Solutions (EdIS) Programme Board and a non-executive Director of the Controlled Schools Support Council.