2024 Judging Panel

Abena Akuffo-Kelly is a Lead Facilitator with the NCCE (National Centre for Computing Education) where she helps to enhance teacher subject knowledge by training non-specialist teachers to teach computer science. She is also an Enthuse Partnership Coach supporting schools to raise aspirations and engagement in STEM subjects.

She is an Educational Consultant with the DfE funded Inclusion in science project where she helps schools and colleges to transform and diversify their provision and practice and make science teaching more inclusive.

She is an associate facilitator with LeadersPlus a social enterprise working with individuals during maternity leave, shared parental leave, and beyond to progress in their careers in managerial and executive roles whilst also balancing the demands of a young family.

She is a trainer for LWN – Labour Womens network where she seeks to empower women to find their political voice and to participate in the political discourse by becoming councillors and MPs.

She is also a local councillor at both town and District level as well as being Deputy Mayor of Folkestone and the Chair of Folkestone and Hythe District Council. She speaks and trains on race and ethnicity, gender, LGBT rights and neurodiversity. Her main passion is ensuring that intersectionality is considered in every discourse and has contributed to a book on diversity and inclusion in education to share her ideas.

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!

Martin Bailey has been a Primary School Teacher and Computing Subject Lead for over 20 years in various North East schools. He is currently employed in a part-time role as Digital Enrichment Leader at Lanchester EP Primary School (Co.Durham). Martin also runs his own company (Animate 2 Educate) where he works with schools all over the world delivering pupil workshops and staff training sessions with the aim of bringing the curriculum to life! Martin is also a lecturer at Durham University where he delivers the Computing element of the course to PGCE and BA students.

Rupert is Senior Partner at Cairneagle, the strategy and management consulting firm focused on the education sector both in the UK and worldwide. He specialises in business strategy and investment validation across Edtech, online learning and services to schools. He is also an investor in Edtech businesses in the UK, South East Asia, India and Africa.

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.

Andrea has worked in the education and publishing industries for over 30 years. In 2002 she founded educational publishing company Rising Stars specialising in the creation of books, digital content and online services for schools.  It grew to become one of the largest education publishing businesses in England and it was acquired by Hachette in 2015.  Andrea was BESA chairman from 2010-2013 during which time she oversaw the introduction of the BESA Launchpad service for fledgling edtech companies. She was awarded the BETT Outstanding Achievement Award in 2017.  Andrea continues to support a range of education technology businesses, is director of the Teacher Development Trust and is vice chair of Impact Multi Academy Trust in South London.

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 celebrate my 20th year in education this year and currently I work as an e learning adviser for Link2ICT, in partnership with Birmingham Authority.  I am passionate about the use of technology to enhance learning.   I qualified as a primary school teacher and spent 14 years teaching in a large inner city primary school in Birmingham. The school became very successful at using technology to support learning and I had the opportunity to become involved in many projects both nationally and internationally.

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.

I lead on digital technology for teaching and learning at Wimbledon High School, a Microsoft Showcase School. I am particularly interested in working with teachers to evaluate the use of technology for teaching and learning, implementing evidence-based practices. We are developing a culture of innovation and I work closely with STEAM colleagues, in particular on the design of our forthcoming new building, the STEAM Tower. I collaborate on digital strategy with my peers across the Girls’ Day School Trust, most recently contributing to the Futurelearn MOOC, Digital Skills for Teachers. I am also a member of the ISC Digital Strategy Group.

Kelly is a Mental Health and Wellbeing Consultant and the Director and founder of Mind Work Matters Ltd.

She puts wellbeing and people at the heart of education. She is an award-winning motivational speaker, school improvement advisor, published author and founder of the ‘Family Matters’ empowerment and engagement programme.

Kelly has worked systemically throughout her career as a director of wellbeing, working with local authorities, MATS, Senior leaders and pastoral teams and Governors to help create
healthy work cultures and environments. She is an expert trainer and coach for Senior Mental Health Leads and supports some of the most challenging communities with preventative and early help measures in education.

Kelly develops the strategies to help people in education thrive from adversities. Her work with schools and organisations raises aspirations, engagement, attendance, and outcomes.

She has recently led on the DFE Wellbeing for Education Return project and leads on education development processes creating outstanding outcomes and awards for many organisations. Recognised by the DfE, NCB, The Anna Freud Centre and The Education Support Partnership as a lead influencer of mental health and wellbeing in education.

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.

I have been involved in education for over 30 years. I started in the education section of the Architects Department of the Greater London Council before becoming a Special Needs Assistant at a secondary school while raising my family.

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.

Laura has been a member of the senior leadership team since 2014 and a Principal within Quest Trust for four years.  She has worked across education for over 19 years and started her career as a Learning Mentor. Following this, she worked for five years within the local authority developing the PSHE&C curriculum in schools and developed film resources linked to schemes of work to enhance children’s social and emotional development.

As a Principal and digital lead within the Trust, Laura champions the use of technology and Ed Tech to transform children’s learning as well as reduce teacher workload. She has an unwavering ambition for children to experience learning that balances the talent of the teacher with the sophistication of the technology. Laura believes that it is imperative to strike the balance of the real world with the use of technology to impact on children and provide them with vital digital and life skills needed for an ever changing global climate.

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.

Nick Joseph is a qualified secondary teacher, with a PhD in medieval European history. Before moving into secondary education, he taught in the HE and FE sectors, and mentored disadvantaged learners across the age range from eleven to post-retirement. He has also worked in an IT company specialising in software for schools.

Nick Kind is a Managing Director in Tyton’s strategy consulting practice and is based in the UK. Nick joined Tyton Partners in April 2019 as a Senior Director, bringing over 20 years of experience in strategy, investment, corporate development and digital product management, with the vast majority of his time concentrated in the education sector.

At SEG Ian focuses on M&A, strategy, and measuring and optimising the impact our services have on learner outcomes..

Following a career in finance which culminated in him chairing the Finance Industry Standards Association, Neil was asked to volunteer his skills in business to what was then the Pre-school Learning Alliance. In 2008, Neil was appointed as CEO. He has been a strident leader of the largest early years membership organisation in the country, overseeing its rebrand to the Early Years Alliance in 2019 – a change that reflected its ambition to give a united voice to all involved in caring and educating young children. Neil has fronted numerous sector campaigns on fair funding and notably the mental health of the early years workforce, Minds Matter.

John has worked in EdTech for over 20 years most recently as Managing Director for Renaissance Learning with responsibility for UK and Australia. Prior to that John spent 5 years as head of sales and marketing for Bromcom Computers PLC. He is a school governor and is a board member of the Southfields Multi Academy Trust.

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

Abid has been working in schools & EdTech for over 19 years. As the IT Director for Newham Community Learning, he leads on digital strategy, cyber security and delivery of all digital learning experiences for the Trust.

Abid is a Google Certified Trainer & Innovator. Abid is also leader of the Google Educator Group, GEG UK. During the height of the global pandemic, Abid collaborated with other Innovators and leading educators from around the world to help found the Global GEG.

Abid has presented and spoken at many conferences and events globally. In recognition of his efforts in helping to improve digital outcomes for learners, he was awarded the title of EduFuturists Network Manager of the Year and also named in the EdTech50 “Ones to Note”.

Abid is a passionate advocate for sustainable digital transformation in schools. He was described by one of his fellow innovators as “a natural positive force and dreamer with 10X ideas”