BETT is the global community for education technology. Our mission is to spark ideas, create connections and accelerate trade, driving impact and improving outcomes for teachers and learners. We look for the best EdTech solutions for schools that BETT has to offer, so we can share them with you.

BETT is an exhilarating, energetic educational event and quite frankly exhausting! But we love it.

New Relationships with EdTech Companies

For Did Teach it is a chance to gain knowledge about different organisations. We find it interesting to learn about their values, the solutions they offer and their plans for the year ahead.  It offers us an opportunity to speak with individuals from EdTech teams from around the world. This helps us cultivate new relationships and reinforce old ones.  It enables us to understand companies, their missions and most crucially the problems they are trying to solve for schools, teaching staff, support staff, students and parents… We take notes, compile lists and re-visit connections from previous years. 

Teachers Finding New Careers After Teaching

Selfishly, the ‘wow’ moments for us are when we speak to teachers who have found their new careers through our job board. Hearing teachers talk about how their teaching skills are valued and respected in their new place of work is particularly satisfying. One teacher stood out as she spoke about working for an EdTech provider 4 days a week whilst continuing to teach English on a part-time basis. She spoke eloquently and positively about both careers and how they complement each other. She is now thriving and finds working in a cutting-edge environment very rewarding. The skills and experiences she has acquired from EdTech are being used to support and inspire her students. This was a truly incredible story. 

Former Teachers Utilising Their Skills

BETT hosts so many innovative new technologies. Exposing us to online learning that tracks student attention. Apps that inspire and motivate pupils, platforms that monitor the wellbeing of whole school populations and software that facilitates easy access to IT systems for primary school students. 

We had product demonstrations and listened to guest speakers from around the world. But time and time again the most convincing, authentic and credible interactions we had were with teachers or former teachers utilising and leveraging their teaching skills in a different way.  

Successfully Working With Schools

We have been visiting BETT for many years and over time there has been a noticeable sea change. First attending BETT it felt more corporate, fixated on the marketing and the selling of products with a  disregard for pedagogy. This has now changed. Companies have woken up to the fact that teachers need to be part of their journeys. The most successful EdTech organisations work with schools and support the learning of students. 

Making A Difference To Students’ Lives

The products and services making a difference to students’ lives resonate with us as teachers the most. Often these companies are set up by teachers, Sam Warnes from EdClass is a perfect example, he saw vulnerable students being failed by the education system through suspensions and permanent exclusions. Firstly, Sam has created a safe environment for them to thrive in with the support they need.  Secondly, Sam alongside his team of expert teachers enables these students to gain their GCSEs. In conclusion, EdClass is so impressive, that Team Did Teach has arranged to experience his virtual classroom first-hand. Our team will teach there for a week and host an open day with Sam so you can have a tour of the EdClass head office.

Focus For Neurodiverse Students

A first for us at BETT was working with Brazilian start-up JADE as they move into the UK education market.  JADE is being supported by the Department for International Trade to harness technology to support neurodiverse students and foster inclusive education. Be at the forefront of Jade’s developments for the UK market, Special Education Needs Schools wanted to pilot their product.

Over the next few weeks, you will see some new and exciting opportunities on our Job Board and via our newsletter with organisations that value your skills.