Programme update: 21 October 2026
Published and reviewed: 26 October 2026
Scope: United Kingdom; some activities have nation- or age-specific eligibility
The Government has opened TechFirst to secondary schools across the UK. The programme brings together technology enrichment, careers activity, online resources and competitions, with artificial intelligence included alongside computing, cyber security and other emerging technologies.
Schools can now approach a regional delivery partner for help finding suitable activities. The national offer includes workshops and skills sessions, employer and careers engagement, technology clubs, competitions and access to online learning. What a particular school receives will depend on the activity, the pupils’ ages and local delivery arrangements; national access does not mean that every element is immediately or automatically available to every pupil.
What schools can access
The TechFirst for schools guidance lists delivery partners for every English region and for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It also links to Ada Computer Science, a free platform for teachers and pupils aged 11 to 19, with curriculum-aligned computing resources, coding projects, revision material and challenges.
Two national competitions are already open for the 2026 cycle. The TechFirst Girls Competition is aimed at girls aged 12 to 13, with different school-year eligibility across the four nations. Registration closes on 10 November and the competition runs from 11 to 20 November. The UK Bebras Challenge is open to young people aged 6 to 19 and runs from 9 to 20 November. Schools should check the official guidance for current dates and eligibility before registering.
Schools with established provision can also apply for Bronze, Silver or Gold TechFirst Schools Recognition. The published guidance describes this as recognition for technology and computing education; it should not be read as an independent measure of teaching quality or pupil outcomes.
The scale is an ambition, not a result
The Government’s stated ambition is to reach one million pupils by 2028, including 400,000 pupils from disadvantaged schools. A separate rollout announcement refers to 10,000 employer-backed work-experience opportunities over three years.
These figures describe intended reach and pledged opportunities. They are not participation totals, evidence of improved attainment or a guarantee that any particular school will receive a placement. TechFirst is also not a complete AI curriculum. Its focus is wider: practical technology skills, awareness of AI and other emerging fields, and routes into further study and employment.
What school leaders may want to check
The most useful first step is to review the offer against an identified need. A careers team may value employer contact and workplace exposure. Computing departments may use Ada Computer Science or competitions. Staff considering the AI-related material should also ask what pupils will learn about verification, limitations and responsible use, not simply whether they feel more confident with the technology. Luminae’s review of the gap between young people’s AI use, trust and guidance explains why that distinction matters.
Schools should also separate access from impact. Participation counts, platform use and enthusiasm can show whether an activity reached pupils, but they do not on their own show that learning improved or opportunity widened. The principles in England’s emerging evaluation guide for school AI tools provide a useful starting point for deciding what evidence to collect.
For staff discussions about safe and appropriate classroom use, see DfE refreshes AI support materials for school and college staff. For the wider policy and evidence picture, read AI in schools: six developments and what they mean for school leaders.
Primary sources: TechFirst for schools guidance and the 21 October rollout announcement.