✍️ Editor's Note: The Year of "Deep Think"
BETT 2026 is officially in the books. If previous years were about the speed of AI, this year was about the depth of it.
On the floor at ExCeL London this week, there was a massive shift toward "Thoughtful AI." Google’s new "Writing Coach" for Gemini isn't just spitting out answers; it’s showing its work. Microsoft and Oak National Academy are doing the same, building tools that force students to engage with the process, not just the result.
We also saw the return of the "Big Box" winners. Promethean took home the top prize, proving that in 2026, schools still value reliable, durable hardware over flashy gadgets.
⚡ TL;DR
Promethean is King: They took home "Company of the Year" (over £3m), solidifying the ActivPanel 10 as the standard for UK classrooms.
Science Wins Big: Developing Experts and Explorify both snagged major awards, highlighting a push for better STEM curriculum.
Assessment Goes Digital: RM Education showcased a new "Compare" app that simplifies trust-wide assessment.
🔦 Spotlight: The Top 25 List
Here is our ranked list of the 25 products and services that defined BETT 2026.
1. Promethean (ActivPanel 10)
[Global] [Teachers/Admins]
Winner: Company of the Year (Over £3m). Promethean continues to dominate the front of the classroom. Their 2026 win is driven by the "built to last" strategy of the ActivPanel 10, which prioritizes durability and energy efficiency over gimmicks.
Why it’s included: They are the verified winner of the show’s most prestigious award.
2. Google Gemini "Writing Coach" (Khan Academy)
[Global] [Students/Teachers]
Google’s booth focused heavily on the new "Writing Coach" capability in Gemini. Powered by Khan Academy, this update allows the AI to "reason" through complex writing and math problems step-by-step, acting as a tutor rather than a ghostwriter.
Why it’s included: It fundamentally changes how AI is used for core subjects.
3. Developing Experts
[UK] [Teachers/Students]
Winner: STEM Solution. This curriculum platform connects science lessons directly to future careers. Their win at the BETT Awards highlights the growing need to link classroom learning with industry skills.
Why it’s included: Verified winner of the 2026 STEM award.
4. RM Education (RM Compare)
[UK/Global] [Admins/Leaders]
RM launched the new "Companion App" for RM Compare. It allows Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) to capture evidence of student work via mobile and use comparative judgement to assess it at scale.
Why it’s included: It solves the "marking workload" crisis by digitizing the judgment process.
5. Explorify (STEM Learning)
[UK] [Teachers - Primary]
Winner: Primary Science. Explorify was recognized for its high-impact, low-prep science activities that get primary students talking. It’s free, visual, and now award-winning.
Why it’s included: Verified winner for Primary Science.
6. Oak National Academy (AI Tools)
[UK] [Teachers]
Oak National Academy showcased their new AI-powered lesson planning assistants. Their product manager demonstrated how the tools reduce planning time while keeping content aligned strictly with the national curriculum.
Why it’s included: A major government-backed initiative for reducing teacher workload.
7. LEGO Education (SPIKE Updates)
[Global] [Students]
LEGO’s team presented the latest updates to the SPIKE Prime ecosystem. The focus this year is on "scaffolded coding," helping students move from blocks to Python more easily.
Why it’s included: LEGO remains the gold standard for hands-on engineering in schools.
8. NetSupport (School Management)
[Global] [Admins]
CEO Al Kingsley was a key voice at the show, discussing the new "impact-based" IT strategies. NetSupport launched 247connect, a cloud-based remote support tool for managing devices across diverse sites.
Why it’s included: Essential for keeping multi-site trusts operational.
9. Lightspeed Systems
[US/Global] [Admins]
Lightspeed’s newest "Digital Equity" analytics help districts identify which students have poor connectivity at home, allowing for targeted interventions.
Why it’s included: It turns "digital divide" talk into actionable data.
10. Wonde
[UK/Global] [Admins]
Wonde remains the plumbing of the UK EdTech ecosystem. Their 2026 showcase focused on improved data control for schools, allowing granular permission settings for third-party apps connecting to the MIS.
Why it’s included: If you use EdTech in the UK, you likely use Wonde.
11. GrackleDocs
[Global] [Admins/Teachers]
Exhibitor. GrackleDocs demonstrated their accessibility suite for Google Workspace. It automatically scans Docs, Slides, and Sheets to ensure they meet accessibility standards for students with visual impairments.
Why it’s included: A critical tool for inclusion and compliance.
12. Turnitin
[Global] [Leaders/Teachers]
Turnitin’s new focus is on validating the process of writing, tracking document edit history to prove authorship rather than just scanning for AI.
Why it’s included: The most robust answer to the "AI cheating" problem.
13. 2Simple
[UK] [Teachers - Primary]
2Simple’s latest wellbeing features for their "Purple Mash" platform now include more robust tools for tracking student sentiment and digital safety skills.
Why it’s included: A staple in UK primary schools that keeps evolving.
14. Jamf
[Global] [System Admins]
Jamf’s presence focused on "Trusted Access." With more schools moving to iPad-heavy deployments, Jamf demonstrated how to secure devices that go home with students without locking them down completely.
Why it’s included: The industry leader for Apple device management in education.
15. SalamanderSoft
[UK] [System Admins]
Managing Director Gavan Vettese-Wilson discussed automation for Google and Microsoft. Their tool automates the creation of user accounts directly from the MIS, saving IT teams hours of manual entry.
Why it’s included: Automation is the only way to manage large MATs efficiently.
16. Clever Inc.
[US/Global] [Admins]
Clever showcased their new "International" identity management features. They are expanding beyond the US to help global schools manage single sign-on (SSO) for hundreds of apps.
Why it’s included: Simplifies the login chaos for younger students.
17. Magma Math
[Global] [Teachers/Students]
Standout Winner. Magma Math was a major topic of conversation for its ability to digitize student "working out." By treating the screen as a canvas, it allows teachers to replay a student's thought process.
Why it’s included: It bridges the gap between paper math and digital grading.
18. ActiveFloor
[EU/Global] [Students - Primary]
Exhibitor. ActiveFloor showed off their interactive floor projectors. These systems turn the gym or classroom floor into a giant touchscreen, promoting "physically active learning."
Why it’s included: It combines PE and Math, getting kids moving.
19. Acer (Education Laptops)
[Global] [Admins]
Acer’s booth highlighted their new ruggedized Chromebooks and Windows laptops. The focus this year is on sustainability, with devices using a higher percentage of post-consumer recycled plastics.
Why it’s included: Reliable, eco-friendly hardware for tight budgets.
20. Action Mats
[UK] [Students - Primary]
Exhibitor. Action Mats provides physical resources (printed mats) that guide students through fitness and learning activities. A low-tech solution that was popular for its simplicity.
Why it’s included: Sometimes the best tech is no tech—just good design.
21. Albion Computers
[UK] [System Admins]
Exhibitor. As a key Apple integration specialist, Albion showcased their "Device as a Service" model, helping schools afford iPads through subscription models rather than capital expenditure.
Why it’s included: Creative financing is essential for 2026 budgets.
22. Adaptemy
[EU/Global] [Teachers]
Exhibitor. Adaptemy demonstrated their AI-driven adaptive learning engine. They partner with publishers to turn static textbooks into personalized learning pathways.
Why it’s included: It powers the "personalization" behind many other tools.
23. Cloudflare
[Global] [Admins]
Cloudflare announced a partnership with Giga to accelerate school connectivity. Their "Zero Trust" security tools are now more accessible to K-12 institutions to prevent DDoS attacks.
Why it’s included: Security at the network level is critical.
24. Nasen (SEND Support)
[UK] [Leaders/SENCOs]
CEO Annamarie Hassall represented Nasen, advocating for better SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) inclusion. Their resources help schools audit their inclusivity practices.
Why it’s included: SEND support is a top priority for Ofsted and schools this year.
25. Young Ladies Club
[UK] [Students]
Speaker Highlight. CEO Hannah Oyewole spoke on empowering girls in tech. Their mentorship programs are helping to close the gender gap in computer science.
Why it’s included: A vital initiative for diversity in the tech pipeline.
Till next time,
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