A Sprinkle of Stardust at BETT UK 2026
Every year BETT UK gets bigger and better and this 41st year celebrating assistive technology in education did not disappoint.
Keynote by Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP
In her keynote speech The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, Secretary of State for Education, focused on the power of AI to transform education, but emphasised that AI could never replace teachers and TAs, rather it could help them save time by customising content in a fraction of the time.
One thing matters above all else – Our teachers
“But let’s not forget, for that one thing matters above all else: is our teachers. To change a child’s life, there’s nothing to match a great teacher at the top of their game. AI can do so much for our education system. But it will never replace the human light of learning, passed down from one generation to the next. That can never be traded in for the latest tech. Nor can AI replace our wonderful workforce, who bring so much passion into the classroom.”
Members of BATA at BETT UK 2026
BETT Awards EdTech Top 10 – Winner
One of those great teachers is our Head of CENMAC, Kathryn Stowell and we are delighted that she was recognised with a BETT Award as one of the Top 10 Women in EdTech.
Over the years Kathryn has supported thousands of SEND children across the greater London area with their assistive technology and has had some amazing success with their access to the curriculum and communication.
She has also worked tirelessly with many EdTech companies to pilot new technology and celebrate innovation with our annual event Communication Works.
At CENMAC as a team of Advisory Teachers supporting children and young people to make the best use of the assistive technology available, we know how important school SEND teams are. If the team supporting the child can’t understand or use the technology, how can they support the children using it? One of the most important parts of our job is to ensure that not only do we teach the children we are supporting to use the technology, but we also teach the teachers and TAs.
A Sprinkle of Stardust
We look forward to reading the DfE’s highly anticipated SEND white paper that according to The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP contains “A sprinkle of stardust”.
CENMAC Team BETT Highlights
It is so important that our team is aware of what is available in EdTech and that’s why we attend BETT. There is so much to see, but here are some of our team highlights:
BETT Awards – EdTech Top 10 Winners
Ber Allee, CENMAC Advisory Teacher
This was my fourth visit to BETT, and it’s interesting to observe how educational technology evolves over time.
It has been fascinating to see the evolution from the emergence of 3D printing, through the rise of robotic coding, to the current landscape where almost every tool now has AI embedded within it. AI is being used across assessment for learning, assistive technology, reading assessment, and maths tutoring, which was particularly interesting to explore.
AI will have a central role in education but as a service we must continue to inform ourselves and prepare for what role it will play for our learners.
I was especially keen to investigate learning platforms that could support students who are currently accessing education from home, as this is a growing group.
Many platforms remain heavily teacher-led, requiring ongoing monitoring and task assignment, which highlights the need for adequate training if tutors and parents are to use them effectively.
It was great to reconnect with Oak Academy and see how much it has developed. It now offers subject coverage from reception through to secondary level.
I also enjoyed visiting assistive technology partners and colleagues. A particular highlight was the robotics exhibits, especially those designed to be accessible for younger learners and learners with additional needs, where block coding has evolved into visual and tactile experiences. I’m already looking forward to my next visit!
The Creative Hub at BETT UK 2026
Checking out the Green Screen Box in the Creative Hub
Daniel Lawrence, CENMAC Advisory Teacher
This was my first visit to BETT in a few years and also first with my CENMAC ‘hat’ on. I previously visited as a class teacher and computing lead.
This year, I was taken aback by the clear developments in AI and how this tool is helping to shape the future of education, assistive technology and how as educators we can use this to inform so many parts of our practice.
An overlooked barrier to learning is hearing
Visiting the talks and learning about how often the overlooked barrier to learning is hearing.
A talk by Ampetronic and their technology of the Auracast assitive listening solution has the potential to break down the barriers to hearing loss and missing out on vital information in a classroom, cinema or show. With the view that eventually this technology will be incorporated into all hearing aids, they gave perspective on how hearing can affect learning and development.
Google accessibility
Making connections with Google was a highlight, talking to their specialist in accessibility and learning about the features that Chrome Books offer that would greatly assist our pupils. We were invited to attend the Google for Education SEND Symposium: a one-day in-person event designed for practitioners committed to inclusive education.
Ampetronic presentation
Google at BETT
Isabelle Taylor, Teaching Assistant
One of my highlights of BETT was engaging with the team at Everway and learning more about them at their networking event. It was valuable to connect with experts and share ideas and experiences.
I also enjoyed listening to the many passionate professionals working within AT and AAC. I was inspired by discussions focused on making AT accessible for all students in the classroom, supporting inclusive practice across whole-school settings.
Education Policy Landscape and Assistive Technology
Finally, it was a pleasure to listen to Kathryn speak about CENMAC. Hearing her alongside Annamarie Hassall MBE was both insightful and inspiring, and it was excellent to see the impact of CENMAC and Nasen’s work so clearly articulated on such a prominent platform.
Lizzie Willsher, Advisory Teacher
My 2nd visit to BETT was a useful experience especially finding technologies that were grounded in evidence, and impact. Across the two days, I was especially drawn to sessions and exhibitors that centred literacy, communication, and neurodiversity.
Technology to Support Reading and Writing for Learners with Complex Needs
A particularly impactful session focused on technology to support reading and writing for children with complex learning needs, led by Claire Harrison from CALL Scotland, based at the University of Edinburgh. The session shared practical applications and resources.
Everway networking event
Annamarie Hassall MBE and Kathryn Stowell discussing the Education Policy Landscape and Assistive Technology
Resources shared included:
- Shared reading communication boards using core vocabulary
- Symbol boards that can be attached directly to books
- A large, freely available archive of communication boards
- GoTalk 9 overlays
- The Sounding Board (a free iOS app)
The work of Speech and Language Therapist Helen Robinson, particularly the 4 Ps image system, highlighted the importance of multi-modal communication and ensuring learners can access meaning in multiple ways.
There was also a strong focus on switch accessible learning, including:
- PowerLink books
- Wireless switches (highlighted as the most flexible option)
- A digital bookshelf containing a wide range of PowerPoint books
- Clear guidance on choosing and using talking buttons
Women in Tech Table Talk
Another highlight was attending the Women in Tech networking table talk. Sitting alongside other women working across education and technology, sharing experiences that were thoughtful, honest, and wide ranging. Touching on leadership, representation, innovation and the realities of working in Edtech. It was useful connecting with Director of MEST Africa and discussing the assistive technology landscape in West Africa.
I equally enjoyed meeting Baasit Siddiqui from Gogglebox!
I left BETT feeling inspired, connected, and equipped with ideas that feel ready to be taken straight back into practice.
Call Scotland presentation at BETT
Lizzie Willsher, Ellis Ellis, MD of Vision Aid, Baasit Siddiqui, Keynote Speaker and TV Personality and Kathryn Stowell at BETT
Mary Long, Deputy Team Leader & Advisory Teacher
Another amazing visit to BETT this year, to discover all the very latest in technology, training and education on offer. It was great to see so many familiar faces at the show, and to hear about new tech developments.
Share The Board will soon be rolling out some new features, which they have nicknamed the ‘CENMAC’ edition as they have made changes to better suit the young people that we support.
I loved seeing the way that technology can completely transform a space, and was interested in the immersive rooms on display, which can transport the viewer to other worlds that they may otherwise never experience. The interactive element of these rooms definitely adds another layer to an already exciting technology.
Immersive room display at BETT UK 2026
Nimita Kharat, Speech and Language Assistant
During my first-ever visit to BETT UK, I explored a range of educational technology resources and engaged in brief discussions with exhibitors, particularly those focused on AAC. Although my involvement was largely observational, the experience offered valuable insight into the direction and potential of future EdTech.
I found the rapid pace of technological advancement both exciting and thought-provoking, especially when reflecting on how different learning experiences might have been if even a fraction of these tools had been available during my own education back in India.
I also attended the session “From Mystery to Mastery: Building AI Literacy through Creativity and Collaboration,” which emphasised the importance of supporting children to understand AI and empowering them to actively and creatively engage with the technology that increasingly shapes their world.
BETT UK 2026 was truly an amazing experience for our team.
Save the date for Communication Works!
We are now counting down to our own annual event Communication Works – a celebration of assistive technology in education. We will be releasing more details about it soon but we’d love you to save the date for now Wednesday 24th June 2026.
