CONTENTS Dear Reader,


Welcome to the latest issue of Education Today!


It’s hard to believe that December is here already! The


festive holidays are on the horizon and I think it goes without saying that the entire sector is looking forward to a well-earned break before the New Year and the start of Term 3 for schools across the UK. For us, there’s no better way to kick off the Christmas festivities than our very own Education Today School & Supplier Awards this December. While it’s no doubt been a challenging year, there is so much to celebrate across the education sector, and these Awards are where we do exactly that, giving educators and suppliers the recognition they deserve. Before you head off on your Christmas holidays, our final issue of 2024 brings you all the usual news and views from the sector, plus a Q&A with YPO’s Procurement Director, Andrea Smith, as the business celebrates no less than half a century of helping schools to buy the right products at fair prices. Our Feature Focus for December is on Cultural Education, as Lucy Kennedy, Chief Executive of the National Saturday Club, explains just why creative experiences matter - and what the National Saturday Club is doing to ensure creativity and culture are accessible to all. Meanwhile, I delve into the topic of sustainability in schools, taking a look at how this can be taught not only in the classroom, but also through embedding sustainable approaches into school culture and day-to-day operations. Chris Carter, Edtech Adviser at HFL Education, tells us why AI is closer than we think - even within many schools’ current devices; Rachel Barrett, Head of Academies at Duncan & Toplis, lends her expertise to the topic of investment in school buildings; and Derek Aaronson, CEO of Hart Home Group, weighs in on water costs.


Enjoy the issue - and most importantly, have a very Merry Christmas!


Charlotte Westwood Managing Editor On the cover...


Publication Manager: Carl Hearnden Publishing Director: Paul Ryder Managing Editor: Charlotte Westwood Artwork Editor: Kirsty Hood Secretary: Tracey Ballard Published by:


Datateam Business Media Limited, London Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 8LY Tel: 01622 699128 (Advertising) Tel: 07969 141997 (Editorial) Fax: 01622 757646 Email: education@datateam.co.uk Circulation: Curwood CMS Ltd datateam@c-cms.com Tel: 01580 883844 Fax: 01580 883849 Subscription Prices 2020 Number of editions per year: 11 UK: £52 Overseas: £132


The Publishers cannot accept responsibility for any discrepancies either in copy or between products and/or services listed. Nor can they be responsible for illustrations and/or copy for products which lead to infringement of copyright


TG Escapes offer modular timber-frame buildings using modern methods of construction, traditional materials and sophisticated technology, to create a standalone space that is net-zero in operation.


The bespoke architect designs suit most locations and uses, in a variety of finishes. Fully inclusive design and build and offsite construction minimises disruption, cost, and risk..


 https://tgescapes.co.uk/ In this issue... 4-8 BETT PREVIEW


What to expect at Bett UK 2025 10-18 NEWS


The latest from across the sector 16-17 Q&A: YPO


With Andrea Smith, Procurement Director at YPO


19 WELLBEING


With Mark Solomons, Founder of Welbee 20 BESA CORNER


With BESA members BlueSky and NetSupport 21 VIEWS


With BESA’s Peter Doyle; and Alex Harris from BBC Teach


22-23 VIEW FROM THE CLASSROOM


With Leia Sands, Librarian at Steyning C of E Primary School 24 CONTRIBUTORS


With Class People’s Naomi Howells; and Gareth Conyard from the Teacher Development Trust


25 SEND


With Emma Sanderson from Options Autism; and Danny Ross from Ethos Academy Trust


With Rachel Barrett, Head of Academies at Duncan & Toplis


40-42 FEATURE: BUILDINGS, MAINTENANCE & REFURBISHMENT


With Derek Aaronson, CEO of Hart Home Group


With Charlotte Westwood, Managing Editor of Education Today 34-36 FEATURE: COMPUTING & I.T.


With Chris Carter, Edtech Adviser at HFL Education 38-39 FEATURE: BUILDINGS, MAINTENANCE & REFURBISHMENT


26-29 VIEWS & OPINION


Comments and insights from across the sector 30-31 FEATURE FOCUS: CULTURAL EDUCATION


With Lucy Kennedy, Chief Executive of the National Saturday Club 32-33 FEATURE: SUSTAINABILITY


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