Press

We have access to a wide range of individuals, both within the BESA team and among our member companies, who are experienced commentators on the education market in the UK and further afield, who will happily offer their insights to the media.

All media enquiries should be directed through BESA’s Communications team. For information about BESA, further details on current news, press releases or requests for expert commentary on the education landscape in the UK, please contact Cléo Fatoorehchi.

July 13, 2017

Crick Software launches new writing support tool for secondary schools

Crick Software’s child-friendly literacy tool, Clicker, is being used in thousands of primary schools around the world to raise reading and writing standards. Now, Crick has launched an exciting new program for struggling writers in secondary school – DocsPlus.

July 11, 2017

Resource Our Schools campaign finds further decline in expenditure on UK school resources

London, Tuesday 11 July 2017 While UK schools were expecting to reduce their resources expenditure in 2017, the reality will be worse than any time in the past five years, new figures published today by the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) show. The report, undertaken by the National Education Research Panel with a representative sample … Continued

July 5, 2017

BESA becomes a partner in the pioneering EDUCATE research project

The British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) today announced its involvement as delivery partners in the EDUCAtional Technology Exchange (EDUCATE) project, a pioneering collaboration by industry, academics and teachers, which aims to catalyse the development of evidence-based EdTech products and services.

July 5, 2017

700 brilliant young authors put pen to paper

The Big Write 2017 is set to be the largest children’s literacy session in the UK. The ambitious creative writing workshop takes place at Harrogate’s Royal Hall on Friday, July 7 with one of Britain’s best loved poets, Ian McMillan, as Special Guest. Up to 700 school children from across the district are expected to … Continued

June 28, 2017

European Commission selects Scribeasy among top 30 ideas to harness technological change

Scribeasy: Transforming struggling writers to proud imaginative learners, selected as semi-finalist in European Social Innovation Competition 2017 to harness technological change 2017 European Social Innovation Competition ‘Equality Rebooted’ to award three €50,000 prizes for the best ideas to spread the benefits of technological change in Europe Today Scribeasy: Transforming struggling writers to proud imaginative learners has … Continued

June 26, 2017

The ‘Facebook for Education’

Frog wins groundbreaking national bid to support Danish education. At last week's London EdTech Week, Frog Education, the UK based education technology company, has won a government contract alongside Danish IT business consultancy, Netcompany, to develop a bespoke school communication and collaboration platform for 2 million people across the whole of Denmark.

June 26, 2017

India all set for international education expansion

The international schools market in India is on the cusp of significant expansion according to ISC Research. The forecast is based upon data and intelligence that ISC Research, the leading provider of data and intelligence on the English-medium K-12 international school sector, has published in a new Market Report for India.

June 26, 2017

UK EdTech companies set to showcase educational excellence at ISTE 2017

On 25-28 June, 18 UK education companies will be attending one of the most comprehensive EdTech conferences in the world to showcase their world-leading products. Supported by a Department for International Trade (DIT) grant, the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) will be bringing 18 UK education suppliers to the International Society for Technology in Education … Continued

June 21, 2017

BESA celebrates the first-ever National Writing Day

Today BESA marks the first ever National Writing Day. Organised by the charity First Story, education companies are coming together to celebrate creative writing across the UK, via many events, games and competitions. For example, our member Scribeasy is launching a challenge to write the most inventive stories, in exchange for a years’ free subscription … Continued

June 20, 2017

How the impact of EdTech is currently measured in the classroom: a BESA report

Teacher EdTech recommendations more valuable than any other source, finds BESA report BESA’s report reveals that teacher recommendations are overwhelmingly the most influential when it comes to assessing the efficacy of EdTech products. 44% of respondents in primary schools say teachers in their school provide the most valued recommendations. The greatest demand for EdTech … Continued

June 15, 2017

B Squared to demonstrate Autism Progress and Evisense at The Autism Show

Assess the impact of an individual’s autism with Autism Progress and use this profiling tool to access targeted support strategies – it’s already being used by more than 400 UK settings! Create a portfolio of an individual’s educational journey using the Evisense evidence management platform – sign up for a FREE 3-month trial at the … Continued

June 12, 2017

BESA welcomes Havering Education Services into membership

The British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) is pleased to announce that Havering Education Services has become a member of the 80-year-old trade body, becoming one of the first local councils to join.

May 30, 2017

Educater announce Rising Stars partnership

Educater is delighted to announce an exciting new partnership which will see the Rising Stars Progression Frameworks incorporated into its STATonline primary assessment tool, enabling teachers to record pupil progress, gather evidence and plan against the Rising Stars Progression Frameworks.

May 17, 2017

“Resource Our Schools” campaign highlights funding gap in UK schools

The British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) has today launched a new campaign to highlight the impact of the sharp drop in resources expenditure in UK schools over the past two years. The initiative, which has already attracted support from the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) and numerous subject associations, comes following procurement research published … Continued

April 25, 2017

BESA wins legal action in relation to Early Years Resources trademark

The British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) has welcomed the news that the registered trade mark EARLY YEARS RESOURCES has been surrendered, after taking legal action on behalf of its members.

April 7, 2017

Educational Resources Manufacturer Wins Cumbria Family Business Of The Year Award For Manufacturing

Twoey, a British manufacturer of furniture, learning aids and educational resources wins prestigious business award in manufacturing for their recently expanded operation in Wigton, Cumbria.

March 20, 2017

The Education Resources Awards 2017 winners celebrate their success

This year’s Education Resources Awards winners were announced at a gala dinner held at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham during the Education Show at the NEC on Friday 17 March 2017.

March 14, 2017

Chester Machine Tools celebrates 25 years

Chester Machine Tools Ltd, the Cheshire and Midlands based supplier of conventional and CNC machinery, is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

March 13, 2017

Largest number of UK educational suppliers exhibiting at the 10th annual GESS Dubai show

The British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) is pleased to be attending the Global Educational Supplies and Solutions (GESS) 2017 show. BESA will be attending alongside over 70 UK companies, making the UK pavilion the largest in the show’s history. The UK pavilion companies will be showcasing the latest British educational resources and services from Learning platforms, Video Libraries, STEAM resources to furniture, assessment software and School uniforms.

March 10, 2017

Hope Education launch their first accredited free CPD event

On 16th March 2017 Hope Education, a leading education resources supplier will be hosting their first CPD accredited event. Focusing on mental Maths and Fractions, the FREE Maths for KS2 training will consist of two 45 minute sessions presented by industry experts. The sessions will be hands-on experiences, providing plenty of ideas on how to … Continued

March 2, 2017

Collaboroo, an innovative online community for teaching professionals launches

Collaboroo, an innovative online community for teaching professionals has recently launched. Created by the Consortium, with the help of a panel of teaching professionals, Collaboroo provides an opportunity for teachers to connect, contribute and create online to teach happy. In its first month it has already attracted more than 2000 registered users and its bank … Continued

March 1, 2017

BESA comments on the publication of the UK Digital Strategy

The British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) today welcomed the publication of the UK Digital Strategy by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport. Caroline Wright, Director General of BESA, said: “It is encouraging to see the government reiterate its plans to ensure that no-one is left behind when it comes to broadband access and that … Continued

February 28, 2017

Competition launched to find inspirational teaching ideas

Teachers with inspirational ideas for raising the achievement of disadvantaged children and young people are invited to enter the Let Teachers SHINE competition launched by SHINE and supported by Capita SIMS. Now in its sixth year, the competition awards ten grants of up to £15,000 to help teachers develop their innovative teaching projects. The charity … Continued

February 21, 2017

Focus Education and 2Eskimos partner to develop reading assessment app

Primary education resource and consultancy provider Focus Education has announced a new partnership with 2Eskimos - the software development company behind the popular ‘2Build a Profile’ assessment systems. For more than 15 years, 2Eskimos have been creating products to help teachers save time and become more effective. Its ‘2Build a Profile’ app, which tracks pupils’ progress from Reception through to the end of Primary, has won several awards with BETT and ERA.

February 20, 2017

Diverse group of UK educational suppliers head to Vietnam with BESA and DIT for trade mission

Nine members of the UK educational suppliers industry will be visiting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from March 6-10, 2017 on a trade mission organised in partnership with the Department for International Trade (DIT) and BESA, to meet with schools and colleges, as well as members of the local business community and government officials Companies … Continued

February 16, 2017

Education Resources Awards Finalists 2017

We are delighted to announce that the shortlist of finalists for The Education Resources Awards 2017 (ERAs) has now been announced. Organised by Brilliant Marketing Solutions and The British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA), The ERAs are now in their 18th successful year and are firmly established as the premier annual event to celebrate outstanding success for the suppliers and teaching professionals of the education sector throughout the UK.

January 30, 2017

Deal creates the UK’s leading schools’ payment and parental engagement provider

ParentPay Limited, the UK’s leading provider of school payment services, and Schoolcomms, a leader in parental engagement software for schools, have today announced that they have merged to create the UK’s leading provider of integrated parent payment and engagement services for schools.

January 30, 2017

Bett Awards – The 2017 Winners

The winners of the 19th prestigious Bett Awards 2017 were announced on Wednesday 25 January, 2017 at the Bett Awards Dinner held at The Tobacco Dock, London. Considered the most prestigious accolade in the industry, the annual Bett Awards represent a partnership between BESA, Bett pioneers and the trade association representing the educational supply industry, … Continued

January 23, 2017

Schools highlight urgent need for teacher CPD in EdTech in major BESA report

Schools highlight urgent need for teacher CPD in EdTech in major BESA report. The report finds that there is a clear requirement for training for teachers in all areas of ICT. Some 57% of primary and 61% secondary teachers named this as their key ICT challenge over the next 12 months.

January 20, 2017

There’s an app for that: Parents call for primary schools to go mobile

As Bett, the biggest education technology show in the world opens its doors at ExCeL London next week, research from Capita SIMS has revealed that over half of parents* want their primary school to send information about their child home through an app or mobile-enabled web portal.

January 19, 2017

Bett 2017: B Squared to launch Evisense, innovative evidence management software

B Squared is proud to announce the full launch of Evisense, our brand new web-based tool designed to quickly and easily record key events in a child’s learning journey. Previously available to schools that use our market-leading assessment software, Connecting Steps, from February 2017 all schools will be able to access Evisense and experience the power of our new evidence management software.

January 13, 2017

With school budgets tight, a new loyalty programme is giving over £100,000 back

With the majority of schools experiencing the effects of tighter budgets, every penny counts. That is why Hope Education, a leading education resources supplier, continues to reward its customers in 2017 via an innovative loyalty programme - “Hope 1,2,3 Rewards”.

January 6, 2017

Capita SIMS and Learning Ladders support schools adjusting to assessment without national curriculum levels

A technical partnership between Capita SIMS and Learning Ladders means that primary schools are be able to measure pupils’ progress without levels easily and then analyse that data within the SIMS management information system.

December 14, 2016

School funding formula changes

School funding formula changes threaten to make “a bad situation worse” for the provision of essential classroom resources.

December 5, 2016

Learning & Teaching Expo (LTE) in Hong Kong

The best UK resources to be showcased at Learning & Teaching Expo (LTE) in Hong Kong. The British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA), which represents almost 400 UK-based education suppliers with combined revenues totalling £2.2 billion, is pleased to accompany over 20 UK companies with vast educational expertise and products to Learning & Teaching Expo (LTE) 2016.

November 22, 2016

B Squared Presents Innovative Assessment and Evidence Capture Software at The Academies Show, 2016

B Squared is proud to announce that we will showcase our portfolio of assessment and evidence capture software at The Academies Show at the NEC in Birmingham on 23 November 2016. We have over 20 years’ experience within the assessment sector and are already used by over 3,000 schools and academies across the UK and internationally.

November 14, 2016

UK Education Suppliers to Showcase Products in the ‘Best of British’ Classroom at Bett Asia

The British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA), which represents over 325 UK-based education suppliers with combined revenues totalling £2.2 billion, is working in partnership with DIT and the UK Embassy in Malaysia to run a ‘Best of British’ classroom at the Bett Asia Leadership Summit & Expo, to showcase the very best of the UK’s education resources and teaching.

November 9, 2016

Scholastic Education’s Chris Ratcliffe elected as Chair of BESA for 2016/2017

Scholastic Education’s Chris Ratcliffe elected as Chair of BESA for 2016/2017. BESA’s new Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer announced following the appointment of a new Executive Council during last week’s AGM.

November 3, 2016

B Squared Presents Innovative Assessment and Evidence Capture Software at EduTECH Asia, 2016

B Squared is proud to announce that we will showcase our portfolio of assessment and evidence capture software at EduTECH Asia, on 9-10 November, 2016. We have over 20 years’ experience within the assessment sector and are already used by over 3,000 schools across the UK, mainland Europe, Dubai, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand. Delegates can come and meet our experts on stand G15.

November 3, 2016

Research reveals that ‘Singapore’ approach to teaching maths can work in UK classrooms

Oxford University Press (OUP) announced today the findings of educational research into mastery – an approach to teaching maths commonly used in East Asian countries. The independent research, conducted by the Oxford University Department of Education, is the first academic study to demonstrate that a mastery in maths textbook and professional development programme can significantly benefit children in UK schools.

October 12, 2016

Trial Underway for Evisense, Innovative and Unsurpassed Evidence Capture Software

We are pleased to announce that the beta trial is underway for Evisense, our brand new evidence capture tool. Nearly 200 teachers are participating in the trial, with data for over 1,000 pupils already licensed.

September 23, 2016

New assessment framework announced for Scottish Curriculum for Excellence

At the Scottish Learning Festival 2016, B Squared will present a host of new features, including a new framework being developed to assess pupil progress within the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence. B Squared is a market leader in the provision of assessment software.

September 23, 2016

Jo Johnson MP witnesses GL Education’s partnership signing on ministerial mission to China

The Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, Jo Johnson MP, has today witnessed the signing of a partnership agreement with international assessment provider, GL Education, and China Future School Lab, the commercial arm of the National Institute of Education Sciences (NIES), a branch of the Ministry of Education in China.

September 23, 2016

Parents call for teachers to rethink the traditional primary school report

Research from Capita SIMS has revealed that over half of parents (57%) feel primary school reports are either too generic or do not contain enough information about how their child is doing. More than a third of primary school teachers (35%) agree. This is despite the fact that schools are now recording more information about the children they teach than ever before.

September 19, 2016

UK EdTech heads to China on first ministerial trade mission post-Brexit vote

The British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA), which represents 325 UK-based education suppliers with combined revenues totalling £2.2 billion, today announced that it will be participating in a first-of-its-kind ministerial EdTech trade mission to China. A total of 17 leading UK EdTech companies will be joining Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, Jo Johnson MP and BESA on the mission, which is organised by the Department for International Trade.

September 15, 2016

School ICT Services makes an educated move

School ICT Services Limited acquire new premises in Swillington. Supported by a six figure funding deal from Royal Bank of Scotland, the firm has relocated from its previous home on Mortec Office Park to a new 3,500 square foot property at The Courtyard, Swillington. The new property will provide the firm with a brand new training facility as well as office space for its team of 22 employees.

September 8, 2016

Rt Hon John Bercow MP, urges schools to ‘take a look at FUZE Technologies’

In a recent visit to Swanbourne School in Buckinghamshire, Rt Hon John Bercow applauded BESA launchpad subscriber, FUZE Technologies, stating that it has, “identified a gap in the current teaching techniques between visual coding tools and professional real-world languages”. The MP for Bucks and Speaker of the House of Commons was visiting the school during one of the FUZE computing workshops and training sessions which it runs in schools across the country.

September 7, 2016

UK Education Suppliers Call For “Clear and Positive” Post-Brexit Message

The overwhelming majority (92%) of education suppliers say there are things the UK government should be doing within the UK now following the EU referendum to sustain and build business confidence Suppliers call for government to deliver a “clear and positive message”, offer forward guidance on education budgets and to show the UK is open … Continued

September 6, 2016

CREATE Education Platform Re-launches to Drive Digital Skills Adoption!

As pupils and teachers are embracing the new academic year its great to see companies doing their upmost to make life in the classrooms as engaging and inspiring as possible. Since 2013 when Ultimaker GB was launched in the UK & Ireland we have been sharing knowledge to inspire and encourage people to explore the world of 3D printing.

June 24, 2016

EU Referendum: a turning point for Britain

BESA Director General Designate: “World-leading education suppliers remain open for business” 24 June 2016: Commenting on the British public’s decision to leave the European Union (EU), Caroline Wright, Director General Designate of the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA), said: “Today marks an important turning point for Britain. It is too early to understand the full … Continued

March 2, 2016

BESA calls on the government not to micromanage teachers’ use of classroom resources

Schools behaviour tsar wants to ‘tear up gold stars’ The British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA), the UK’s leading trade association for education suppliers, and three of the UK’s largest school sticker producers called on the government to trust teachers to decide for themselves which resources to use to motivate pupils in the classroom. The call … Continued

February 4, 2016

New category added to the Bett Awards 2016

London children judge the best stand and products Children from schools across London became judges of a new category in the prestigious Bett Awards this year. The pupils visited Bett, the world’s largest technology in education show on Saturday 23 January and voted on their favourite exhibitor stands and products. Organised and managed by i2i … Continued

January 21, 2016

Bett Awards Winners 2016 announced

Celebrating the best in education The winners of the 18th annual prestigious Bett Awards were announced last night (Wednesday 20 January 2016) on the first day of Bett, the world’s leading education technology event. Organised and managed by i2i Events Group and BESA (The British Educational Suppliers Association), the annual Bett Awards aim to recognise, … Continued

December 21, 2015

BESA announces the arrival of a new director

Monday December 21, 2015: The British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) announced today that Patrick Hayes will become its new director. Hayes comes to BESA from his position as business development director at TES Global (formerly TSL Education), publishers of TES, Times Higher Education and its online platforms. As director of BESA, Hayes will work to … Continued

November 17, 2015

Increasing quality of textbooks to be major focus at PA/BESA Education Conference

London | 07720 814208 | Susie Winter | swinter@publishers.org.uk The Publishers Association (“The PA”) and the British Education Suppliers Association (“BESA”) today launch guidance for publishers aimed at ensuring UK-produced textbooks are of the highest possible quality and meet the expectations of teachers and students. The Quality Guidelines, launched ahead of today’s PA / BESA … Continued

September 18, 2015

Pupil exposure to ICT continues to rise despite its value being questioned

Despite a recent OECD report questioning the value of classroom technology, UK schools continue to increase the amount of teaching time using ICT. The British Educational Suppliers Association’s (BESA) annual ‘ICT in UK State Schools’ research findings shows that pupils are currently exposed to ICT for 53 per cent of teaching time in comparison to … Continued

July 9, 2015

BESA announces new director general

Dominic Savage, director general of the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) has today announced that he will retire in 2016, from the role he has held for 30 years. The statement, made at the education sector trade association’s annual members’ insight day, was followed by the announcement by the chairman of BESA’s executive council, Andrew … Continued

June 26, 2015

Tablet adoption continues to rise; barriers to adoption shift

BESA releases ‘Tablets and connectivity’ research Tablet use in schools continues to rise as barriers to adoption shift, new research from the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) has revealed. The annual ‘Tablets and Connectivity’ survey of 632 UK schools (335 primary, 297 secondary), conducted in June 2015, suggests that 71 per cent of primary and … Continued

May 12, 2015

Schools hold back on assessment investment

Nearly half of both primary and secondary schools have delayed making changes to their assessment arrangements despite the Government’s demand for schools to have their own system in place by September 2015. As part of the Government’s reforms to the national curriculum, the system of ‘levels’ used to report children’s attainment and progress was removed … Continued

April 18, 2013

itslearning gets funding boost for product development

Leading educational software company itslearning has received an investment boost from EQT Expansion Capital II. The deal, signed on 21st of March 2013, gives itslearning the ability to increase product development and expansion into new markets, and makes EQT Capital II the largest investor in the company. EQT Expansion Capital II has agreed to invest … Continued