Education Secretary announces £23m expansion of EdTech Testbeds

Earlier today [21 January 2026], the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, outlined an ambitious vision for the future of AI in education, announcing a £23 million investment to expand the government’s EdTech Testbeds pilot into a four‑year programme. Speaking at Bett 2026, she described the announcement as a major step toward building an education system where every child can benefit from safe, effective and inclusive technology.

Throughout her speech, the education secretary emphasised the transformative potential of AI while making clear that technology will never replace teachers, whom she called “the beating heart” of the education system. Instead, she proposed that AI should be used to enhance professional expertise, reduce workload, and help children thrive.

AI supporting inclusion in the classroom

The secretary opened with the story of Dawn, a Specialist Sign Support Teaching Assistant at Epsom and Ewell High School who has been helping the school’s deaf children for almost two decades. Through training from Bourne Education Trust, Dawn now uses AI to quickly customise lesson content for deaf pupils and others with SEND, helping to make learning more inclusive and accessible. The secretary believes that Dawn’s experience demonstrates how AI can “bring learning to life” for children with diverse needs without replacing the important human relationships.

A global approach to safe and responsible AI

Bridget Phillipson revealed that the government has updated its AI safety standards for schools. Earlier in the week, she convened international education leaders to address emerging risks linked to generative AI, digital wellbeing, and online harms.

She reiterated the government’s intention to protect young people online, highlighting an ongoing consultation considering restrictions on addictive online features and a potential ban on social media access for children. New screen‑time guidance for early years is set to be published in April, followed by guidance for older children.

Five national goals for AI in education

Setting the long‑term direction for digital learning, the education secretary unveiled five goals for AI in the education system:

1. Digital confidence for every young person, including exploring a new Level 3 qualification in data science and AI
2. A digitally skilled school workforce with new skills pathways for teachers and support staff
3. High‑quality, safe AI tools for teaching and learning, building on innovations such as Oak National Academy’s AI lesson assistant
4. A data-driven school system supported by a new national “data spine” and open data standards
5. Robust digital infrastructure, including reliable high‑speed connectivity in every school

The government believes that this will ensure students leave school equipped for a rapidly changing digital world.

£23m investment to expand EdTech Testbeds

The central announcement of the speech was an additional £23 million to expand the government’s EdTech Testbed pilot. The aim is for schools and colleges to trial cutting‑edge digital and AI tools in real classroom settings over the next four years. Their experiences will help build an evidence base showing what genuinely works for teachers and learners.

Bridget Phillipson emphasised that this is not about adopting technology for its own sake, but about raising standards, narrowing the disadvantage gap, and improving outcomes. She said: “The cream of education tech and AI will rise to the top so we can spread that transformative potential far and wide.”

Assistive technology and SEND support

Beyond AI, the secretary also highlighted innovation in assistive technologies for SEND provision. A £1.6 million pilot for assistive technology lending libraries is already underway. The goal is to help children access devices tailored to their communication and learning needs. Early feedback from schools and families has shown significant positive impact on confidence, engagement, and wellbeing.

Responding to the government plan, Sarah Hannafin, head of policy for school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“Technology which helps create inclusive classrooms, removing barriers to learning and improving engagement and motivation,  can be valuable, especially for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

“While AI may offer new possibilities when it comes to assistive technology, it’s important that these tools are tested thoroughly in collaboration with schools before being rolled out, and that teachers receive high-quality training on using them safely and effectively.

“One of the biggest challenges is the variability of access to technology, and the government must ensure that as well as investment in training, there is sufficient funding for hardware and software for all schools so that pupils everywhere can benefit.”

Looking ahead

The government says it will soon publish a major Schools White Paper, which the education secretary described as “a big moment in the history of education in this country.” The government believes that it will set the vision for an education system that is broader, more inclusive, and more ambitious for every child.

Closing her address, the secretary said the goal is clear: an education system where background no longer determines destiny, and where every child can achieve and thrive. “AI makes it possible,” she concluded, “but it is teachers who make it real.”