Educational Technology Special Interest Group

EdTech Special Interest Group members are involved in conceiving, researching, developing, marketing, and supporting electronic, software and technology, and learning materials for the UK’s educational market, and increasingly overseas curricula too.

They specialise in developing scientific tools, computer applications, software, and support materials to deliver professional development packages that encourage the use of ICT across education and training.

Resources, tools, equipment and training provided by members cover all aspects of the learning and teaching journey: from teacher training, through to delivery of learning materials, then to practice experimental and revision, and to high-stakes assessment.

EdTech Special Interest Group members range from the small to the very large. From the provider of unique tools for learners with real dedicated-needs to the provider of wide-ranging curriculum content for whole-class teaching.

Upcoming meeting dates:

Tuesday 29 April 2025, 11am-1pm
Monday 21 July 2025, 11am-1pm
Tuesday 18 November 2025, 11am-1pm

Chair: Al Kingsley MBE

CEO, NetSupport

Al is the CEO of the EdTech company NetSupport, with more than 30 years’ experience in educational technology and digital safeguarding. With a passion for education and, in particular, educational technology, governance and raising organisational performance, he has undertaken many roles outside of his NetSupport duties, including being Chair of a Multi-Academy Trust and an AP Academy, sitting on the Regional Schools Director’s Advisory Board for the East of England, and being Chair of the county SEND Board. With 20+ years of governance experience, he is also a FED Council member, Chair of the BESA EdTech Group and his regional Business Board. Al the author of My Secret #EdTech Diary, My School Governance Handbook and My School & Multi Academy Trust Growth Guide (all published with Hodder Education) and a co-author of A Guide to Creating a Digital Strategy in Education. He continues to support schools with consulting and mentoring – as well as writing for the wider education community, supporting vendors and regularly speaking at education conferences and events. Al was the winner of the 2022 EdTech Digest Author/Speaker of the Year award, Edufuturist of the Year award 2023, winner of the BESA 2023 award for Inspirational Leader, and winner of the 2023 ERA award for Outstanding Achievement.

How to join:

Joining the EdTech Special Interest Group is free and open to BESA members only.

Step 1) Click ‘Apply to join’ and login to the Portal. If you need help navigating the portal have a look at the Portal Manual or get in touch with us at eventsteam@besa.org.uk.

Step 2) Send in your application letter stating that you want to join the group using the example application letter as a guide.

In your application you must confirm:

that your primary activity is the publishing of software for education, and/or the manufacture or distribution of hardware and peripherals to the UK education market
that you are happy to share ideas with the rest of the EdTech Group and are committed to developing and taking the Group forward
that you are committed to a level playing field in the market
that you meet the Group’s Terms of Reference

Step 3) Your application will then be presented to the group for approval & you’ll be emailed if your application is successful.

Meetings take place three times a year online, and you are expected to attend each meeting.

Example application letter

I am writing on behalf of (company) to apply to join the EdTech Special Interest Group.

Paragraph confirming that

i) your primary activity is the publishing of software for education, and/or the manufacture or distribution of hardware and peripherals to the UK education market.

Paragraph confirming that

ii) You are happy to share ideas with the rest of the EdTech Special Interest Group

iii) Committed to developing and taking the Group forward

iv) Committed to a level playing field in the market

v) You can meet the Group’s Terms of Reference.

Yours sincerely,

Who are the group members?

Terms of reference:

Members of the Group must be full or associate members of BESA and UK based organisations whose primary activities are the publishing of software for education, and the manufacture or distribution of hardware and peripherals to the UK education market.
The Group is known as the ‘Educational Technology Special Interest Group’ (EdTech SIG) of BESA.
The Group should have two or three meetings a year, unless the Group wants more.
Any member of BESA may make written application to the BESA secretariat to join the Group and such applications will be presented at the next Group meeting. Applicants which can satisfy the Group that they fit the description defined in paragraph a), and by or 75% of the vote at the meeting, shall be admitted to membership of the Group, subject to right of appeal of the Executive Council on refusal. The Council’s decision shall be final.
The Chair of the Group (or a representative nominated by the Group from amongst its members) will be co-opted to membership of the Executive Council of BESA. The Chair of BESA is, ex officio, a member of the Group and is entitled to attend its meetings.
The Group is entitled to call meetings which will be serviced by the BESA secretariat. Any abnormal costs may have to be charged, as decided by the Executive Council.
In the event of the Group deciding to undertake a course of action leading to or becoming liable to any costs or expenditure over and above the provision expressed in paragraph 5) above, or as determined by the Executive Council, such expenditure shall be borne by members of the Group.
Member companies need to attend a minimum of two meeting per year. If the minimum requirement is not met, the company may be asked to leave the Group and will have to reapply for membership.
When attending a meeting, members need to be ready to contribute to all areas of meeting unless not relevant.
When attending a meeting, members need to be ready to interact to the polls, Q&A’s and have their camera turned on.
When attending a meeting, members need to ensure that they are in a suitable location without distractions.
Copies of the minutes of the proceedings of the Group will be submitted to the Executive Council.
In the event of the Group wishing BESA to undertake a course of action on its behalf such proposed action shall first be approved by the Executive Council.
A Chair and Vice-Chair shall be elected each year at the Group’s first meeting following the BESA Annual General Meeting. The Chair and Vice-Chair shall be serve for one year, subject to re-election for a second year, two years being the maximum period of continuous service in one office. The Chair and Vice-Chair shall be from separate member companies.
The Chairman of the Group has the responsibility of organising a guest for each meeting, this responsibility is not for members of the group.
These provisions will come into effect immediately after approval by the Executive Council which must also approve any future proposals for change.
Based on one vote per member, decisions taken at a Group meeting will be simple majority with the Chair having a casting vote.
While the Group maintains its own bank account it will elect a Treasurer each year at the Group’s first meeting following the BESA AGM. The purpose of the account is to fund agreed Group activities including the reasonable expenses of officers of the Group as agreed from time to time by the Group. A financial statement will be presented by the Treasurer at each Group meeting. Financial liability may not by incurred which exceeds the assets of the account.
EdTech SIG member individual responsibilities include:
constructively challenging and contributing to the development of the group’s common goals and structures; and
ensuring the group acts in the best interests of the association and other stakeholders and is fully accountable for the services provided.
Members of the group consent to data sharing between BESA and the Chair/Vice-Chair of the group in line with BESA’s Privacy Policy.
The chair will hold the DG (as company secretary) to account in ensuring that EdTech SIG members are provided with accurate and clear information, as well as facilitating effective contributions from council members to the secretariat.

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