What we learned at Bett UK 2025: Futuresource panel recaps on tech integration, esports and sustainability

With more than 35,000 delegates from across the global education community in attendance, Bett 2025 was a vibrant hub of ideas and inspiration. As Bett UK’s research partner, we were out in force, with the Futuresource EdTech team contributing to the show’s momentum, exploring the exhibits and reporting from the bustling show floor. 

Our specialists also led essential conversations, chairing panels where they dived into the key trends shaping the education landscape. Read on as we explore the highlights and identify the takeaways from those three sessions, including: 

• Successful integration of technology in the classroom: Barriers and best practice 

• Esports, security and student safety 

• The race to net zero in education: How can EdTech make a difference? 

Session 1: Successful Integration of Technology in the Classroom  

Moderated by Melanie Tagg, Principal Analyst here at Futuresource Consulting, our first session tackled some of the biggest challenges teachers face in using tech effectively. The panel also explored actionable solutions that could be implemented to overcome these challenges. 

Melanie began by emphasising the importance of integrating tech into education, instead of just shipping devices into classrooms.  

“We saw a rapid upsurge in tech usage during the pandemic,” she said. “There was a near-immediate shift to digital learning. However, as the dust settled, it became clear that successful integration requires much more than simple device provision.” 

Teacher training and professional development is pivotal 

Zaitoon Bukhari, Director of Digital Learning, at the Achievement Through Collaboration Trust, spoke about the move to Google platforms and 1:1 Chromebook use across schools. This infrastructure allows for seamless collaboration between staff and students.  

“Once the technology is in place, that’s when the real work begins,” she said. “We need to support teachers with the right training and ongoing professional development.” 

A need for tech integration 

Clare Webster, Director of Apprenticeships and Skills, St Helens College talked about tech integration having to be fit for purpose and aligned with the curriculum. She noted the challenge of device inequity and how teachers often assume students already have a certain level of tech competency. This isn’t always the case, so Clare works hard to ensure accessibility, as well as directing tech spend towards the most impactful solutions. 

Ben Brown, Head of UK&I at Optoma, added that tech should be pervasive across all classrooms, with teachers able to deliver lessons using the same tools regardless of where they are. He also highlighted the importance of continuous professional development (CPD) to ensure tech isn’t just a tool in the classroom, but a catalyst for better teaching and learning. 

Futuresource research uncovers the size of the training gap 

One of the key takeaways from the session was that while the right technology is crucial, without sufficient training and support, its impact can be limited. Futuresource Consulting’s Claire Kerrison pointed to Futuresource research that shows 24% of teachers have received absolutely no training on specialist classroom software. Furthermore, another 40% believe they have not received sufficient training. This directly affects their confidence and the ability to integrate tech effectively. 

Personal experiences highlight the opportunity 

The panel also discussed the barriers they faced and the opportunities available. Zaitoon shared how Achievement Through Collaboration Trust saved £50,000 by moving to a unified platform. Clare explained the challenge of engaging experienced professionals in tech training and the need for tailored, flexible solutions that meet diverse teaching needs. Meanwhile, Ben stressed the importance of nurturing digital champions within schools to share best practices and drive adoption. 

The overriding message from the session was that training teachers is just as important as the technology itself. The right tech, paired with effective professional development, is the winning combination for improving student outcomes. 

Session 2: Esports, Security and Student Safety 

The session on student safety in esports brought together a panel of educators and experts to tackle the growing role of competitive online gaming in schools. Hosted by Claire Kerrison, Principal Analyst at Futuresource, this discussion explored how to create safe, supportive environments for students, while addressing parental concerns and integrating esports into the educational landscape. 

Claire kicked off the panel by highlighting the rapid rise of esports in schools and the need to prioritise student safety. As esports becomes more prevalent, understanding the associated risks and building transparent communication channels with parents and stakeholders is critical, she said. 

Student safety and well-being has to be considered 

James Marriott, Director of ICT/Esports, Wilmington Academy, emphasised the seriousness with which educators need to approach student safety, as well as the well-being issues around late-night gaming and its impact on students' sleep and academic readiness. He noted that while esports is highly engaging and also a multi-billion-dollar industry, educators must remain vigilant in ensuring that students balance their passion for gaming with their health.  

Natasha Bickelmann, Esports Lecturer at Queen Mary’s College and Minerva Virtual Academy, addressed parental concerns, talking about the importance of strong communication strategies. She recommended updating IT and behaviour policies to reflect the unique aspects of esports, ensuring that parents feel reassured about their children's participation.  

Family involvement is a necessity 

Natasha also suggested organising ‘Meet the Parents’ events to educate families about esports and how they can support safe gaming habits at home. By engaging parents directly, schools can bridge the gap between home and school, she said, fostering a collaborative understanding of both the benefits and potential risks. 

James Marriott also highlighted how after-school esports clubs can serve dual purposes, engaging students in meaningful activities while providing parents with free childcare. For many students, particularly those who don’t participate in traditional sports, esports offers a sense of community and belonging, which in turn reassures parents about their children’s school engagement. 

Kylie Kendrick, Senior Technical Specialist for Esports at Durham University, provided practical strategies for teaching and monitoring esports in schools. She underscored the necessity of educating both students and parents about the tools and safety measures in place.  

While acknowledging that no environment is completely risk-free, Kylie emphasised empowering students through proper training and guidelines. Drawing from her own experience as a parent of a young gamer, she stressed the importance of fostering safe practices both in and out of the classroom. 

Develop personal accountability and autonomy 

Natasha then discussed fostering autonomy in students. She highlighted the value of teaching students to recognise and mitigate the risks themselves, contributing to a more responsible gaming culture. She said that by actively involving students in creating safe gaming environments, educators can promote a sense of ownership and accountability that extends beyond the classroom. 

James Fraser-Murison, Director at Fraser Esports, addressed the challenges of building a strong esports program. He acknowledged the time and effort required to establish a sustainable initiative, but encouraged educators to embrace the journey. James reminded the audience that while growth in esports may not be immediate, the long-term benefits are well worth the effort. 

Esports as a foundation for wider learning 

James also suggested that within the gaming environment, schools can bring in other educational fields, such as business studies and STEM subjects. “It’s all about preparing classrooms for the future,” he said. “We need to take the culmination of education incredibly seriously. Our role is about preparing students for whatever the next step is, whether it's school to college, college to university, or university to employment. And esports can play a part in that.” 

In closing, Claire reemphasised the need for clear communication with parents and students. “The importance of creating safe environments is clear,” she said. “There is tangible value in teaching responsibility in gaming. Esports can be a fun, engaging and safe experience for students, though risks need to be managed thoughtfully, and trust and inclusivity must be upheld.” 

Session 3: The Race to Net Zero in Education: How Can EdTech Make a Difference? 

The third Futuresource panel focused on net zero and the challenges facing the education sector. Iryna Kazanchuk, Lead Market Analyst at Futuresource Consulting, moderated the session, looking at how EdTech companies can develop sustainable, energy-efficient products and collaborate with educational institutions to help them reach net zero targets. 

With energy costs rising and sustainable living more important than ever before, Iryna explored how schools, universities, colleges and other learning environments, are looking to technology to drive change. 

Refurb and recycle 

Charlotte Solomon, Head of Partnerships and Development at 2econd Chance, explained how her charity provides work-based training for people with disabilities. It refurbishes computers, and partners with businesses to promote their sustainability goals. Not only this, but the charity offers training in the fundamentals of computer hardware and software management. This aligns with the growing trend for EdTech tools to be used for skills development, a key aspect of net zero attainment. 

Skills for the future workplace 

Isabella Vahdati, Associate Investor at Brighteye Ventures, highlighted the increasing interest in scalable EdTech solutions that address both technical and soft skills. She highlighted investors being particularly keen on platforms that offer training in high-demand fields such as AI, digital marketing and data science. However, Isabella noted that they also look to soft skills like communication, which are essential in the modern workplace. 

Climate change and the international angle 

Ernest Gavor, EdTech Expert and Coach at DOHE and Ghana Society for Education Technology, provided the international perspective. He explained how schools in his country are incorporating sustainability into their curricula, stressing that sustainability must be a part of daily learning, preparing students for a future shaped by climate change. 

UK: addressing the carbon footprint of building estates 

Alex Green, the Ashton Head of Let’s Go Zero, a climate solutions charity, shared insights from her work with schools across the UK, especially on reducing the carbon footprint of school buildings. Government research has cited the education sector as responsible for a significant portion of the country’s emissions, with schools alone contributing 37% of public sector building emissions. Alex urged institutions to assess their carbon footprint and develop actionable plans to reduce it. 

Wider partnership is the key 

The panel concluded with a discussion on how partnerships between education institutions, industry leaders and governmental organisations could further accelerate progress toward net zero. It was clear from the panel discussion that collaboration is key, with all stakeholders needing to come together to achieve a coherent, large-scale effort. 

Explore more on the future of learning 

Among education changemakers, innovative technology providers, game-changing governments and charities, our research partnership with Bett 2025 underscores our commitment to education and EdTech research. Through expert-led panel sessions and on-the-ground insights, Futuresource analysts helped to shape the conversations that will drive the future of learning.  

And if you’d like to explore the key trends and takeaways from Bett 2025 in more detail, you can download our comprehensive post-show report here. Or to learn more about how our research services can support your organisation in navigating the evolving education landscape, get in touch with us here. 

About the author

Melanie Tagg

Melanie Tagg is a Principal Analyst and Head of Education at Futuresource Consulting.