British Esports Returns to Bett UK 2024: Elevating Esports in Education

Mimi Craig

7 min read | 12 Jan 2024

British Esports is excited to share its triumphant return to Bett, the world’s premier EdTech event. Scheduled to take place from January 24th to 26th in London at the ExCeL.

Leading Esports @ Bett Theatre

Bett is renowned as the largest annual gathering for the global education technology community. Bett UK attracts over 30,000 educators, innovators and changemakers, alongside 600+ EdTech and resource solution providers. British Esports, for the third consecutive year, takes pride in spearheading the Esports @ Bett theatre. The Esports @ Bett theatre is a dedicated space offering a plethora of engaging talks, panels, interactive sessions and workshops.

Empowering Educational Institutions

Tailored to benefit both educators and policymakers, the Esports @ Bett event aims to guide the establishment of esports facilities in educational institutions. It emphasises strategies to enhance student learning, engagement and accessibility. Furthermore, it has a particular focus on meeting the needs of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) learners.

Transferable Skills and STEM Pathways

The program highlights how esports contributes to the development of crucial transferable skills. Some of these skills include communication, leadership, strategic thinking and social awareness. It underlines the available employment pathways in STEM-related careers (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

Distinguished Speakers and Compelling Esports Action

Featuring key speakers from British Esports, including President Chester King, Vice President Tom Dore, Head of Education Kalam Neale, Head of Operations Alice Whorely, and Head of Partnerships Gary Tibbett, Esports @ Bett promises insightful talks and fundamental takeaways. The event will also showcase compelling esports action with a Rocket League tournament. A space presenting some of the best esports talent from schools and colleges across the UK participating in Student Champs.

Talks at Esports @ Bett Theatre 2024

Here are some highlights of esports talks and panels, with more to be confirmed:  

Wednesday January 24th

• 10.30am-11am: Ready Player One: Supercharge your classroom with esports! With British Esports Head of Education Kalam Neale
• 11.15-11.45am: Kickstarting your esports journey in education: Richard Leadbetter from RUCKUS Networks and British Esports Head of Education Kalam Neale discuss how schools can get involved in esports, plus the importance of networking and security
• 12pm-12.30pm: Dell Technologies talks about its latest EdTech innovations and the digital skills gap with British Esports President Chester King 
• 2.10pm-2.40pm: Esports, so much more than gaming, with James Fraser-Murison of Fraser Esports Ltd
• 2.50pm-3.20pm: Practical tips on pitching esports to school decision makers, with Nik Turner of ntesports and James Marriott of Wilmington Academy
• 3.30pm-5.15pm: Rocket League tournament with Dell Technologies and British Esports featuring schools and colleges from across the UK

Thursday January 25th

• 10.30am-11am: Acer discusses its latest EdTech innovations
• 11.15am-11.45am: Innovation, well-being, diversity and inclusion, covering girls in gaming and links to STEM, chaired by British Esports Head of Operations Alice Whorley and featuring Tech She Can COO Robyn Howard, the Leadership Skills Foundation’s Director of Innovation and Standards Lucy Supperstone and Init Esports CEO Stefy Bau
• 12pm-12.30pm: From pixels to pedagogy – how esports can uplevel your STEM academic programs, featuring Intel UK Head of Education Stuart Walker and Intel US Education Sales Strategy Director Snow White
• 2.10pm-2.40pm: Global education panel moderated by Professor Philip Wilson from College of Esports and featuring Gabriel Atsu Sikanku from Esports Africa News, Gerald Solomon from NASEF and a student from College of Esports talking about their trip to South Korea
• 2.50pm-3.20pm: From campus to career, hosted by British Esports Head of Partnerships Gary Tibbett and featuring Gin Rai from the Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies, George Lewin from CTRL Esports and James Fraser-Murison from Fraser Esports Ltd
• 3.30pm-5.15pm: Acer Rocket League tournament 

Friday January 26th

• 10.30am-11am: Implementing physical health and well-being in the classroom, hosted by Mark McCready, Lecturer at New College Lanarkshire
• 12pm-12.30pm: Keynote address by Namya Joshi, a Minecraft Student Ambassador at Microsoft, on building engaging game-based lesson plans that support social-emotional development
• 1.30pm-2pm: The esports path to pro, featuring Resolve COO Jeff Simpkins and Esports News UK Editor Dominic Sacco

Learn More About Esports @ Bett

For more information on Esports @ Bett, ticket availability and the most recent agenda, you can find out more here. We look forward to seeing you there!