SECONDARY NEWS
First UK school installs AI chatbot to support pupils at risk of grooming and exploitation
Overton Grange School in Sutton, becomes first to trial ‘Quinly’ – an AI chatbot that offers students private support and links to help like Childline and Samaritans A secondary school in southwest London has become the first in the UK to install an artificial intelligence chatbot on its website to quietly support pupils who may be struggling with anxiety, exploitation or emotional distress.
The chatbot, named Quinly, is designed to offer students calm, friendly responses and gently encourage them to seek real-world help from trusted organisations. Launched at Overton Grange School in Sutton, the chatbot can be accessed directly from the school’s homepage and is
being described as a “digital signpost” for pupils who might feel unable to speak to a teacher or parent. It is the first of its kind in the country.
Quinly uses AI technology developed by OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT, and has been trained to respond in age-appropriate language. It does not store data, diagnose problems or replace safeguarding procedures, but instead listens, offers reassurance and points children towards services like Childline, Samaritans, CEOP, and others.
The idea comes amid growing concern over child safety and mental health.
According to the Home Office, police in England and Wales recorded more than 38,000 child sexual abuse image offences last year - an average of over 100 per day.
A recent ONS survey revealed that 7.5 per cent of adults experienced some form of sexual abuse before the age of 16, rising to 11.5 per cent of women.
The Children’s Commissioner also estimates that 34,000 children involved in or connected to gangs were victims of violent crime in the past year, while the NSPCC has revealed record-level of calls about children at risk of domestic abuse.
Overton Grange was involved in early testing and is the first to host the tool on its live site.
Overton Grange Headteacher, Chris McNab, said: “We know young people don’t always come forward in the ways we expect. Quinly provides an accessible, supportive first step. It’s not a gimmick. It’s a meaningful addition to our pastoral care.”
Chester-le-Street school wins long-running enterprise competition
Students from Park View School are the 2025 winners of Future Business Magnates, the UK’s longest-running schools enterprise competition.
The Year 8s’ idea – a wearable safety device for elderly and vulnerable shoppers– scored high marks throughout six challenges over seven months after teams were set the task of re-imagining Durham’s High Streets.
Future Business Magnates (FBM), delivered by Durham County Council’s business support service, Business Durham, is celebrating 20 years and has now introduced more than 2,400 students from 40 secondary schools to enterprise.
Durham County Councillor Lyndsey Fox said: “We are incredibly proud to be involved in such a long-running and successful project which has given so many young people an early insight into the world of business and, at the same time, introduced them to skills which they will use for a lifetime.
“We want County Durham to be known as the home of enterprise and for businesses to know that there’s a rich pipeline of talent coming through. There’s no better way to start than with FBM.” Since 2017, as well as the year group taking part in the competition, 10,000 Year 7 students in the county have been involved in a taster programme called FBM Freshers. And for the first time this year 250 primary school children had an early experience of enterprise through FBM Market Makers, while a creative project involved 200 Year 9s.
The eleven 2025 FBM competing teams were invited to Hardwick Hall in Sedgefield to celebrate their achievements and discover the winners.
They were joined by their business partners and the new Chair of Durham County Council, Cllr Robbie Rodiss. The event was hosted by journalist and broadcaster Charlie Charlton.
The idea for the winning product – “Guardian by Angel Tech” – came after a frightening incident for a member of the team who was followed home.
Throughout the competition Park View scored 984 points out of a maximum of 1,000 and the students’ presentation during the final Dragons’ Den-style challenge was, according to one of the judges, better than many pitches by adults he had seen. “We practised 24/7 and I can say we were probably reciting it wherever we went, but I think we really smashed it,” said team member Ellie. “At the start of the competition I was not a very confident person but during this I’ve learned to speak to other people, collaborate and listen.”
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www.education-today.co.uk July/August 2025
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