Bett UK is one of the most popular education events for a reason. For anyone working in UK education, accessibility, or EdTech, it’s the one date in the calendar that truly matters.

From the moment the doors opened at ExCeL London, the atmosphere was electric, a mix of curiosity, urgency, and optimism about what learning could become.

Across the halls, teachers, school leaders, SEND specialists, and EdTech innovators came together with a shared purpose: to make education work better for every learner.

Conversations buzzed around inclusive design, classroom-ready technology, and practical solutions for supporting students with diverse needs.

This wasn’t just a showcase of new tools — it was a meeting of people who genuinely care about impact in the classroom.

Whether it was a teacher looking for ways to reduce workload, a SEND lead seeking more accessible resources, or a startup demonstrating how its platform removes barriers to learning, Bett UK felt less like a trade show and more like a collective push towards a more equitable, effective education system.

The Scanning Pens stand was busy from the get-go, and many people stopped by looking to understand how our technology helps students read and learn independently.

We spoke with teachers about pupils with dyslexia, EAL learners, and anyone needing extra support, and there was a genuine excitement for how we’re delivering our scanning pens to the market.

AI, inclusion, and the future of learning

There were also many debates, discussions, and talks during the event. Once again, AI and inclusion took centre stage, with sessions that challenged educators to rethink what great teaching and support will look like in the next decade.

From big-picture debates about human intelligence in an AI-powered world to very practical examples of smarter student support, the programme made it clear that “learning without limits” depends on both technological innovation and a deeper commitment to equity.

In the Arena, Hannah Fry and Amol Rajan explored how AI is reshaping classrooms, assessment and the skills young people will need, probing the ethics of data, creativity and authenticity while insisting that human connection remains at the heart of education.

Elsewhere, Ofsted’s team unpacked a sharpened focus on SEND and inclusion within the renewed inspection framework. At the same time, higher education leaders showcased “smart support” projects in which AI chatbots are already cutting response times, streamlining enrolment, and freeing staff to focus on more complex needs for students and colleagues alike.

These discussions further fueled the chat and networking opportunities, which people took to with open arms. It was great to see!

Judged by kids. Powered by purpose

As if the show wasn’t incredible enough, we were named Best Assistive Technology Tool at the Kids Judge BETT Awards, which made the whole experience even more unforgettable.

To receive this recognition from the very students who use reading pens every day makes it even more meaningful.

It’s a powerful reminder that what we provide genuinely helps learners read with confidence, access the curriculum, and feel more independent in the classroom.

We also want to say a huge thank you to the brilliant students and staff at Epping Forest Schools Partnership Trust, especially Rachel Orwell and Matthew Harrison.

Hearing the students’ feedback was truly heart-warming and reminded us exactly why we do what we do.

The students said, “We think it makes learning accessible for more children. It’s got really cool features, like reading forward and backwards.

“It’s also really good if someone is interested in bigger books but can’t read them yet. The pen can help us to read all by ourselves.

“It will help us to become expert readers!”

Their reflections captured everything we strive for, bringing this type of tech into classrooms around the world to break down barriers and give every learner the support they deserve.

Jack Churchill, Scanning Pens CEO and co-founder, summed up the moment perfectly:

“We are over the moon to have won this award from Kids Judge BETT.

“We are no strangers to winning at BETT with two previous trophies; however, to have Scanning Pens judged by school-aged children as the best is incredible and will power our whole team forward in 2026!”

Recognition from industry experts is amazing. But being chosen by the students we supply technology for is something else entirely.

The validation from the Kids Judges showed that what we’re building truly matters.

Bett UK 2026 reminded us why we do this work. It’s not just about innovative hardware or software. It’s about building confidence and independence.

We want every learner, no matter their challenges, to have a fair chance at success.

We came to Bett hoping to share our tools with the world. We left feeling inspired, proud, and more motivated than ever - especially knowing that the kids noticed, and honestly, that’s the best award of all.

Keeping innovation human

We take a lot away from BETT 2026: a renewed commitment to keeping things simple, human, and purpose-driven.

In a space often shaped by scale, speed, and spectacle, the moments that resonated most were those where things slowed down, where better questions mattered more than louder answers.

It served as a reminder that progress does not always arrive through disruption, but often emerges quietly, through careful listening and attention to the truths beneath the surface.

Beneath the buzzwords, product launches, and momentum of a global event, the pulse remained steady and unmistakable. Children need better tools that genuinely support how they learn, and educators deserve stronger, more thoughtful support for the work they do every day.

Not added complexity for its own sake, but solutions rooted in real classrooms, real constraints, and real human needs.

BETT 2026 reinforced the belief that when innovation stays anchored in purpose, empathy, and clarity, it has the greatest chance of making a lasting difference - long after the exhibition halls empty.