BETT (British Education Technology and Trade) Show - London 21-24th January 2026
What is BETT?
“The global community for
EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY”
The biggest education technology exhibition in the world. Bett brings together educators from across the entire education landscape and 600+ innovative EdTech and resource solution providers showcasing cutting-edge and impactful products and services. The GEC is delighted to be one of BETT’s worldwide and global partners for another year!
This year at Bett UK 2026 the GEC is thrilled to be involved in the following so please come, say hi and join us!
Where will we be?
Wednesday - The First NEA South Lunch
Date: Wednesday 21st January 2026
Time: 12pm-2pm
Venue: A lunch spot near the BETT venue entrance – Crowne Plaza London Docklands, E16 1AL
What’s the NEA (National Education Assembly) South lunch all about?
The National Education Assembly (NEA), powered by the Foundation for Education Development (FED), provides a space for people with day-to-day experience of the education system to share insights that can help shape national policy. It’s purpose is simple: your voice, heard, shared, amplified.
FED & NEA South, delivered in partnership with FED and The Edwin Group and Co-Chaired by Phil Hedger (CEO, LEO Academy Trust) and Dr Nicole Ponsford (CEO, Global Equality Collective), will launch in Spring 2026.
Before then, we’re hosting a lunch to shape the work. And we’d really value your insights, your priorities and your experience. We want to know what matters most to you.
This first conversation will explore:
What regional issues need greater national attention?
What parts of your work are most misunderstood or overlooked?
How should this new forum be shaped to genuinely support you and your community?
Wednesday Evening - The BETT Awards!
Date: Wednesday 21st January 2026
Time: 7pm-late
Venue: The Brewery, the address of which is 52 Chiswell Street, London, EC1Y 4SA.
What are the BETT 2026 Awards?
The Bett Awards are a celebration of the inspiring creativity and innovation that can be found throughout technology for education. Produced in association with Besa, being a Bett Award-winner is simply the best way to showcase your organisation with a sign of excellence.
Why is the GEC going?
BECAUSE WE ARE A FINALIST!
The GEC is a Finalist in the cateogroy of Transformational Impact. Wish us luck!
Thursday - Women In Edtech
Date: Thursday 22nd January 2026
Time: Throughout
Venue: BETT
Bett UK is proud to champion the voices of women driving change in education. Our Founding CEO, Dr Nicole Ponsford has been involved across all of the celebrations from being a judge of the first Edtech 10 will be hosting the mentoring circles, the networing drinks and the coffee morning too! If you are a woman in edtech or ally please join us!
BETT’s Women in EdTech initiatives spotlight innovation, build community and inspire the next generation of female leaders.
Discover BETT is celebrating the impact of women shaping the future of EdTech.
1) Women in EdTech Mentoring Circles
The Women in EdTech Mentoring Circle was launched at Bett UK 2025 and it’s back for 2026! This community aims to support women within EdTech to share their experiences, give advice and connect with like-minded people in a safe space. Whether you’re a woman in education, a woman at an EdTech company or an ally, all are welcome to take part. Our Dr Nicole Ponsford will be so pop over!
Mentoring Circles: Date: Thursday 22 January
Time: 13:00 - 14:00
Location: TableTalks area, BETT
Eight leading females from across the industry will host 45-minute sessions on strategy, insights, advice and their experiences as women within this field. Join these women for a discussion on their selected area of expertise.
2) Women in EdTech Networking Drinks
Date: Thursday 22 January
Time: 17:45 - 19:15
Location: Innovation Theatre
Hosted by BESA and the European EdTech Alliance and held in Bett's renowned Innovation Theatre, this event is designed to provide a space for women within the EdTech space to connect and network. Come and have a drink with Nic discover support mechanisms and learning opportunities exclusively available for this community and build your network at the same time.
Friday - Speaker
Dr Nicole Ponsford has been asked to co-host an invite only event for the judges and winners of the Edtech 10.
Date: Friday 23rd January 2026
Time: 14.10-14.50
Venue: SEND Theatre, BETT
Join Nic as she moderates this important discussion with national experts.
The belonging gap: Using inclusion data to improve attendance and outcomes
Moderator
Dr Nicole Ponsford, Founder and CEO - Global Equality Collective (GEC)
Speakers
Frances Akinde, Education Consultant and SEND Expert - Inclusion HT
Simon Tanner, Director of School Improvement – SEND - Authentic Education
Simon Blake, Deputy Director, School Attendance - Department for Education
Across the country, schools are facing rising attendance challenges and growing concerns about pupil well-being. Yet emerging national insights show that persistent absence is often a symptom of something deeper, a widening belonging gap.
Belonging is one of the strongest predictors of attendance, engagement and learner outcomes, yet it remains difficult for many schools to measure or improve. This session explores how inclusion data can help schools move from assumptions to action, uncovering the hidden barriers that prevent staff and students from feeling safe, valued and connected. It will examine how these insights align with new Department for Education expectations and Ofsted’s evolving focus on inclusion, attendance and pupil experience.
Drawing on one of the UK’s largest inclusion datasets, the panel will explore what inclusion data reveals about the root causes of persistent absence, how belonging varies across different groups, and the role of leadership in closing belonging gaps through culture, curriculum and whole-school improvement. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to embed belonging into everyday practice and strengthen attendance, behaviour, well-being and outcomes across their school communities.