Our top picks for SENCos visiting Bett this year
We’re excited to be showcasing Clicker and DocsPlus in the SEND Village at Bett 2026.
This global EdTech event will take place at ExCel London from Wednesday 21st to Friday 23rd January. Thousands of educators will come together to share ideas, network, discover new technology, and attend expert sessions by industry leaders.
Are you planning to attend? With so many talks to choose from and over 600 exhibitors, it can be hard to know where to start!
That’s why we have compiled our must-see sessions for any SENCos who will be visiting Bett this year:
Wednesday sessions
Empowering every learner: Equitable, immersive, and inclusive EdTech
21st January 11:15 – 11: 45 / Teaching & Learning Theatre
This session will be led by Antoinette Hamilton and Dr Stella Schâringer from The Stour Academy Trust. (You may have already read the fantastic Clicker success story from Stour on our website!).
They will be exploring how technology can empower every learner through equitable access, immersive experiences, and authentic creativity. The session will demonstrate how existing classroom tools can remove barriers to learning and allow every child to express themselves.
Building an assistive technology literacy toolbox
21st January 14:10 – 14:40 / SEND Theatre
Claire Harrison, Interim Director of CALL Scotland, will be leading a session designed to equip educators with assistive technology tools to support reading and writing for learners with SEND. She will cover practical strategies for using assistive technology in the classroom and ways that educators can enhance their support to meet the diverse needs of their pupils.
Empowering every learner: Unlocking writing potential with Clicker
21st January 14:50 – 15:10 / SEND Theatre
Our very own James Cheesman will be leading this session. He will be exploring how assistive technology like Clicker fits into the national SEND agenda.
If you’re interested in learning more about how writing tools work within existing pedagogy, how to empower pupils to choose the right support when they need it, and what classroom technology should and should not do, then be sure to come along!
Beyond awareness: Equipping all staff for effective SEND practice
21st January 16: 25 – 16:45 / Tech in Action Theatre
Catrina Lowri, Special Needs Teacher and SENDCo at The National College, will be leading a session designed for all staff with SEND responsibilities, including SENDCos, teachers, and support staff.
She will discuss how to move beyond surface-level awareness and develop consistent, effective SEND practice across the whole school. This includes strategies for early identification and targeted support, and an exploration of how an online platform facilitates a whole-school approach to SEND.
Thursday sessions
SEND and Inclusion: Ofsted’s new approach
22nd January 12:10 – 12:40 / SEND Theatre
This is the perfect session for anyone with questions about the increased focus on SEND and inclusion in the new inspection framework.
Two of Ofsted’s Deputy Directors of Inclusive Education, Claire Stewart and Adam Sproston, will explain what the new framework looks like in practice and how school context is considered, and share some insights from the first inspections under the framework.
They will also take audience questions to provide further advice for both mainstream and special schools.
Transforming SEND strategy in the mainstream: Operational excellence across trusts
22nd January 14:10 – 14:50 / Operational Transformation Theatre
This is a great opportunity for any trust and MAT leaders who are coordinating SEND support across their organisation. The session will be run by four speakers: Simon Tanner, Director of School Improvement SEND for Authentic Education; Emma Balchin, Chief Executive of the National Governance Association; Mark O’Brien, Managing Director of Enabling Brighter Futures; and Susan Hamilton, Chief Finance and Operations Officer of Authentic Education Group.
They will explore how executive teams can lead trust-wide transformation through strategic alignment, strong governance, and effective resource management. The in-depth discussion will cover building systems that support early identification and targeted intervention, address key challenges such as rising pupil needs, and provide practical tools to strengthen SEND operations across the trust.
Friday sessions
Making EdTech work for your school: Partnerships, policy, and implementation
23rd January 11:15 – 11:45 / Teaching & Learning Theatre
Attendees can hear from a legal and policy expert, a director of technology for an educational institution, and a senior education strategist as they discuss the most effective ways to design and scale EdTech Solutions.
Lupe Sampedro, Partner at Cooley LLP, Emma Darcy, Director of Technology for Learning at Denbigh High School, and Laurie Forcier, Vice President, Strategy of EDT&Partners, will lead the discussion. The session will be moderated by Kate Lee Carey, Special Counsel for Edtech and Education Regulatory at Cooley LLP.
If you'd like to connect with us at Bett 2026, you can find us at stand NF92.
If you're interested in learning more about the role of assistive technology in SEND provision, book your place on our CPD day, ‘Transforming SEND support with assistive technology’ in Birmingham this March, or read our recent blogs on the topic:
