KIDS JUDGE BETT
Bett 2024 winners announced!
This wonderful student led event is organised by Katy Potts, Islington Council in partnership with BESA (British Educational Suppliers Association) is now in it’s nineth year of putting learners front and centre.
Over sixty children, aged between 7-13 years old, from fourteen schools, along with parents and teachers came together at Bett on Friday 26th January to explore stands, exhibitors and products to find their winners.
The results, announced by the students and the wonderful Michael Rosen, in a high-energy awards ceremony on the Arena theatre, showcase a diverse range of tech products from across the globe. This year, the students were keen to draw attention to products that focussed on sustainability and inclusion.
…and the 14 winners are
Best Creative Writing and Film Content Award to the UK’s Time Capsule Education, awarded by Crosthwaite Primary School
Best Gender Equality in Education Resource to the UK’s Tech She Can, awarded by Channing School
Best Affordable Design Technology Equipment Award to Turkey’s Ben Makers, awarded by Hoyland Common Primary School
Best Sustainability and STEM Award to the UK’s Team Repair, awarded by All Saints Benhilton School
Best Accessories for Microbit Award to China’s ElecFreaks, awarded by White Bridge Primary School
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‘To win a ‘Kids Judge Bett Award’ means so much to us, it’s a wonderful idea and to be judged and awarded by the children is the ultimate recognition. School environments can be noisy and distracting places. We’re so happy to have developed a solution to offer relief for children who struggle with sound, and help them manage the negative impacts of auditory overwhelm in learning environments.'
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‘For many years the very well-respected Bett Awards have highlighted the best of breed in the EdTech sector, judged by adults. Recognising the importance of children’s perspectives in this process, gave rise to Kids Judge Bett. I remember attending the first Kids Judge Bett with my own daughters, who loved exploring the stands, meeting exhibitors and having the opportunity to share their thoughts on products and services that really mattered to them. Their schools were proud to be represented too. Fundamentally, this premise has not changed down the years. Involving kids in judging Bett, superbly coordinated by Bett Awards Judge Katy Potts, of Islington Local Authority, brings the ultimate end users inside the show to share their thoughts and add a seal of approval from their point of view. Long may it continue!'
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‘Curating Kids Judge Bett over the past 8 years, I’ve combined my experience as a Bett Awards judge, with my expertise as an advisory teacher, to create a high energy and fun event that puts children at the heart of evaluating educational resources and suppliers at the Bett show. Better than any Oscars ceremony, KJB brings children, teachers, and families from around the UK to the show where they work hard, following strict judging protocol, to shine a spotlight on the best.’
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‘Our schools love taking part in Kids Judge Bett; such a unique and inspiring event. It provides a chance for our students to see the latest educational technology up close, and to share their feedback directly with the companies that are creating it. It's also a great opportunity for them to develop their critical thinking and communication skills. Our students always come back from Kids Judge Bett feeling empowered and excited about how they can help shape teaching & learning across our Trust. We act on many of their suggestions, shaping our digital package accordingly. The children know that their voices matter, and that they can make a difference in the world. I highly recommend Kids Judge Bett to any school that is looking for a way to engage and inspire their students.’
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'I loved taking part in Kids Judge Bett. Children don't always get the chance to explore different EdTech tools, apps and products and help make decisions about what to buy. It was so much fun! I also loved being able to go on stage and present the awards. I will never forget that.'
Kids Judge Bett was devised and run by Katy Potts, Computing and Online Safety lead at Islington Council. Now in it’s 9th year, Katy’s been organising it in collaboration with BESA (British Educational Suppliers Association) since 2016.