For the second year in a row, pupils from academies within the LEO Academy Trust family have taken centre stage at BETT, the world’s biggest education technology (EdTech) expo. 

LEO Academy Trust, a family of nine schools across Surrey and Sutton, is at the forefront of the use of digital technology in schools. Since 2019, the Trust’s 1:1 device strategy has equipped every pupil and staff member with their own personal Chromebook laptop to support learning and work. 

Across the three-day BETT conference, pupils from Cheam Common Junior Academy, Cheam Fields Primary Academy, Shawley Community Primary Academy, West Ashtead Primary, Brookfield Primary Academy and Hurst Park Primary Academy had the opportunity to experience the ever-growing intersection between education and technology firsthand.  

On day one, pupils from Cheam Common Junior Academy and Cheam Fields Primary Academy took to the main stage, joining other children from across England for the 2024 Finals of the Design4SDGs UK Challenge. The challenge saw UK students aged 9-14 design creative solutions for meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Both LEO academies were shortlisted for the Sustainable Cities and Communities SDG, with Cheam Common Junior Academy picking up two further nominations in the Gender Equality and Climate Action SDGs. Cheam Common Junior Academy won awards for their projects ‘Better Breathers’ and ‘Level Up’, whilst Cheam Fields Primary Academy scooped an award for their project, titled ‘Cheam Fielders and Potters’.

The final day of the conference saw Brookfield Primary Academy and Hurst Park Primary Academy pupils take part in the conference’s student-led awards programme, Kids Judge Bett. The children made their way around the sprawling ExCel centre to test and evaluate the different EdTech products and solutions being showcased. They met EdTech business leaders and creators and put their products to the test. The pupils were able to draw on their tech expertise gained from the different EdTech tools they get to use at LEO schools. After completing the judging process, pupils took to the Main Arena Stage for the big winners reveal, co-presenting the awards alongside other schools and acclaimed children’s author Michael Rosen. 

The children thoroughly enjoyed the time they spent at Bett, exploring what EdTech has to offer for pupils like them around the country. It was also an invaluable experience for them to speak and present in front of a large crowd, supporting them to grow in their confidence. 

Throughout the conference, LEO Academy Trust’s leaders kept as busy as the pupils, demonstrating the impact of the Trust’s pioneering use of technology to other schools. This included a presence at the London Grid for Learning stand, highlighting the Trust’s approach to creative education spaces, as well as a discussion at another stand on digital approaches to lesson engagement and assessment.  

Two further presentations were given at the Google for Education stand and at the Bett Teaching & Learning Theatre by LEO’s CEO Phillip Hedger, as well as independent pedagogical technology expert Dr. Fiona Aubrey-Smith.

These presentations highlighted key findings from a report which Dr Aubrey-Smith researched, highlighting the positive impact of the the Trust’s 1:1 device programme on teacher workload and pupil attainment. 

Phillip Hedger, CEO of LEO Academy Trust, said:  

“It was wonderful to see the LEO community gaining so much from the time they spent at Bett. As ever, it was an immensely beneficial experience for our pupils, who always love to see how education technology can support their learning and get a sense of how innovative business leaders create and sell their products. It was especially good to see the children developing their decision making and public speaking skills as they got involved with Kids Judge Bett once again.

“At LEO Academy Trust, use of evidence-based technology is key to what we offer our staff and pupils. Remaining engaged with the latest developments in the education technology space is therefore not only an enriching experience for us, it is also crucial in ensuring that we are creating the optimal conditions for teaching and learning at our academies.” 

Ella, a Year 6 pupil at Shawley Community Primary Academy, said: 

“My visit to Bett was absolutely fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed looking at a variety of stands and trying the activities, like trying on VR headsets and designing our own stickers.  

 “We also had a once in a lifetime opportunity: talking at the Texthelp stand and the Google stand. It made me feel proud to represent my school and grateful for the technology that we have access to.”  

 Her classmate Evin said: 

“My favourite part was when myself and two of my classmates (Ella and Mya) were chosen to represent Leo Academy Trust at the Google stand by speaking about how technology helps us learn.  

 “We spoke to an audience of 50 people that included teachers and education experts. I felt honoured to have been chosen and I was grateful for the opportunity that I was given. Everyone there was extremely encouraging and supportive and it was an all-round great atmosphere.”