Education Business

What a rollercoaster ride we have been on in the last 12 months, with significant changes and new initiatives rolled out by the DCSF, and many schools beginning to feel the side effects of the recession. In response, some school decision makers have been very cautious with spending, which has led the government to issue a threat to claw back any school budget surpluses if the monetary excess has not been lowered by 2010-11.
    
Increase in numbers
With uncertainty surrounding the future it was very positive to see a surge in visitor numbers at this year’s Education Show, as teachers and leaders packed the NEC in Birmingham to meet with a diverse range of exhibitors, or to attend a seminar. The Education Show is the UK’s largest showcase of all types of educational resources, and this year visitors increased by six per cent, which shows that many are still keen to keep up to date with developments in the sector, despite the challenges today’s educators are facing.
    
Each year, BESA runs the show information point to help teachers and leaders find the resources that are of most importance to their needs, and to offer guidance on seminars and feature areas. We were kept very busy this year with lots of queries from visitors looking for all types of educational resources. BESA also sponsors the Leadership Lounge, an area specifically for school leaders away from the exhibition floor where they can plan their visit and reflect on what they have already seen with their peers.

Listening to school leaders
Many of the visitors to the Education Show Leadership Lounge participated in a snapshot survey to let us know about the issues that are affecting them at the moment, as well as the topics of most interest. This is a great way for leaders to share their opinions and concerns with us; as the trade association for educational suppliers, BESA has an important role in improving communication between schools and the industry that develops resources for the sector. After all, the more that suppliers are informed about your needs, both in the classroom and at a school management level, the more they can ensure they are creating resources and providing services that best support you.
    
Of course, the Education Show is just not for school leaders, there is plenty on offer for all educators, from support staff to classroom teachers and teaching assistants. Once again, the BESA-sponsored travel subsidy was a huge hit with schools from across the country. Particularly pertinent in these tough economic times, BESA each year offers schools a group travel coach subsidy to help them take their classroom staff, as well as leaders, to the event so all can benefit from the experience.
    
Liz Steele, head teacher at Glemsford C.P. School, Sudbury, Suffolk, takes advantage of the coach scheme each year and every staff member at her school is able to attend the Education Show. Liz told us: “Previously only the deputy head teacher and I attended the Education Show from our school. After the introduction of the BESA coach scheme, every member of our staff now visits as a part of a Professional Development day.”
    
Sue Golding, the deputy head teacher, added: “We use the Education Show as a team building exercise as well as a chance to look at resources.”

Roll out the red carpet
It would be almost impossible to place a number on the huge amount of resources and services demonstrated at the show, however, BESA continues to help recognise excellence within the sector. On the Friday night of the Education Show, the 11th annual Education Resource Awards were held to celebrate the innovative approach to learning and teaching by teachers, education institutions and organisations from all levels of education, with all winners selected by an independent panel of experienced educational professionals, including a large contingency of teachers and heads.
    
Excitingly, 14 of the 15 educational supplier winners are members of BESA, which demonstrates that our members really understand the day to day needs of teachers, while creating quality, best value products that match school budgets.

Expectations for 2010
If you and your team missed out on visiting the Education Show in 2009, it is once again returning to the NEC in Birmingham from Thursday 4 to Saturday 6 March 2010. We will be breaking out the bubbly as we celebrate the show’s 20th anniversary, so keep a look out for exciting announcements throughout the coming year.

About BESA
BESA, the British Educational Suppliers Association, is the trade association representing over 300 educational suppliers in the UK, including manufacturers and distributors of equipment, materials, books, consumables, furniture, technology, ICT hardware and digital-content related services to the education market.
   
With 75 years of experience, BESA offers unparalleled support, research, events and advice on both UK and International markets, and the future of the education supplies industry. BESA is focused on promoting and providing support and advice to their members, the industry and to schools.
   
BESA has a Code of Practice to which all members must adhere, along with a stringent membership process, both of which assure buyers of a high standard of quality in both product and customer service.

For more information
Web: www.besa.org.uk