2023 Judges

Carol Allen is an education advisor for ICT and Inclusion in particular supporting LGFL and providing strategic inclusion advice to Local Authorities.  Carol was named as one of the top ten educators for 2018 in the field of educational technology for her inclusion work, see #EdTech2018. 

She has taught since 1980 in both mainstream schools – primary and high, and schools for students with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties.  Recognising, as an English specialist, that communication lies at the heart of all effective teaching, the majority of her work has centred on creative and engaging use of technology to support communication in its widest sense. 

Carol works in partnership with many companies in the educational technology field as she holds a strong belief in sharing and collaboration across all participants in order to maximise the potential opportunities for her students.  In particular, she has designed products specifically for the Early Years market which are now in use in many schools world-wide – including 25 city tours of Australia.

Workshop/keynote presentations include FETC and  ATIA Florida, Illinois District educators summer conference; Denmark , BETT, Birmingham, Manchester, Geneva, Cologne, London and most recently, a five city road trip round Australia. 

Carol is list owner for sld-forum, an international mailing list for practitioners and educators interested in the effective teaching and learning for those with complex barriers to learning. 

All work centres on easy to replicate practice which is fun, achievable and creates communication enhancement opportunities.  Twin vices of caffeine and chocolate keep the energy sparky and the ideas flowing!

Miles is Professor of Computing Education at the University of Roehampton. Prior to joining Roehampton, he spent 18 years in four schools, much of the time as an ICT coordinator and most recently as a head teacher. 

He is a board member of Computing At School, the NCCE and the BCS Academy of Computing.

Over the years he has contributed to many computing projects including the national curriculum computing programmes of study, Rising Stars Switched on Computing, Barefoot Computing, and resources for the BBC and Microsoft.

He gives regular keynotes and CPD workshops on computing and education technology in the UK and abroad and has worked on a number of international consultancy projects involving curriculum development and CPD.

.

Beverly Clarke is a TechWomen100 Award winner (2022) and a leader in education. She was also a computer weekly longlist nominee (2022).  Beverly Clarke, seeks to raise the outcomes for all through understanding of and access to technology. She is an education consultant, published author, writer, coach, mentor, ambassador and trustee.

Previous roles have included serving as the National Community Manager for Computing at Schools (CAS) – part of BCS-The Chartered Institute for IT – responsible for the management and delivery of the  community of practice programme as part of the government funded National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) programme. The NCCE supports teachers in England with resources, training and guidance to teach computing with confidence. 

I also taught the PGCE ICT programme at Birmingham City University from 2005-2010.  I support schools across the West Midlands to encourage them to use technology helping them make best use of technology in school.

.

Ysanne works with schools, academies, local authorities and education suppliers helping to shape how technology can make a positive difference in the quality of children’s learning and the professionalism of teachers. Recent work has included evaluating new technologies and apps, teacher training, delivering professional development and creating peer-peer online collaboration opportunities using IT.

 Ysanne is an experienced judge of EdTech awards including recent WorldDidac Awards and previously Becta and  Bafta Education TV Awards. She often speaks at education conferences sharing experiences from classroom research and observation. She is a Director of Teem Education where she set up TEEM software evaluation service and is now a consultant delivering a range of EdTech projects in early years and beyond. She is a qualified maths teacher, governor of two schools and a Fellow of the RSA.

Further roles included community and family learning, International School Links, Education Business Partnership steering group membership and a founding member of our local confederation of schools. I helped set up and manage the school’s Maths and Computing Specialist School programme. I am currently Learning Resource Centre Manager and Careers Coordinator. I am also a school Governor and Academy Director.

Amanda is a Senior Inspector, working for Havering Education Services.  She has 20+ years’ experience working across the primary and secondary sectors, as a teacher, leader and school improvement adviser.  Computing, online safety and effective use of EdTech are her specialist areas.   She is a School Improvement Professional (SIP) and LA Quality Assurance Inspector for primary schools in Havering, supporting and challenging on whole school improvement as well as quality assuring the provision for Early Career Teachers.   Amanda has worked with Rising Stars on the development of the BETT Award winning Switched on Computing, Switched on Online Safety and other titles.  She has worked with the Department for Education to support the creation of the education technology content of the Teacher Workload Reduction Toolkit. Amanda is a NaaceMark Assessor and has assessed and supported primary, secondary and special schools.  Beyond work, Amanda is a governor of a primary school in Essex.

John is The Director of Innovation at the Family of RGS Worcester Schools, a member of the SLT, an Apple Distinguished Educator and a teacher. John ensures that the Four, Apple Distinguished, RGS Worcester Schools remain at the forefront of digital strategy and continue to offer world-leading, award-winning digital teaching and learning.

John regularly delivers presentations on EdTech, CPD, digital strategy, leadership and management and has written for publications such as the TES, BETT Newsletter and Independent Schools Magazine. John has worked in the state, independent and international sectors and continually ensures pupils, parents and colleagues develop and build meaningful digital skills, knowledge and culture.

Dr. Neelam Parmar currently works as Director of Educational Technology, Digital Learning and Innovation at Ashford School and as Educational Technologist at United Learning. She also works as Educational Technologist for the United Learning Group of Schools. Neelam draws on her research and practical experiences of working with technology and regularly presents around the UK and internationally on the role of EdTech in education, providing strategy, roadmaps and CPD programmes for blended and online learning approaches. She is the author of the ‘Digital Literacy in the Primary’ series and ‘Digital Parenting’ book. Neelam is an award-winning professional, international researcher, author, thought leader and speaker on effective technology, pedagogy and curriculum integration within education and is currently engaged with the Department of Education (DfE) EdTech Leadership Group, #EdTechImpact workshops and @WomenEdTech movement.

I am also an educational technologist at United Learning

As part of her commitment to increase diverse leadership within education, Bukky uses social media to participate with a number of initiatives including WomenEd and BAMEed. She is a London Regional Leader for WomenEd and is registered as a leadership coach in programme run by the Department for Education.

She presents at regional and national conferences to support the development of educators at all levels. She also champions grass root projects that help colleagues maintain their well-being. Bukky is a prolific member of the Twitter community (@rondelle10_b) and regularly blogs.