News & Views

Discover Matthew Lovegrove’s, Digital Learning Advisor UK, insights from the National PedTech Partnership at Pearson’s London headquarters, where education leaders united to tackle challenges in digital assessment, equity and inclusion, and long-term policy change.

In September, I had the privilege of representing Cognita at Pearson’s headquarters in central London. I joined 75 high-profile system leaders as part of the National PedTech Partnership, taking part in a vital national conversation about the future of digital and assessment.

The National PedTech Partnership represents around 3% of the national school system – 756 schools, 250,000 students and 22,000 staff. What makes it unique is its diversity: state and independent schools, nurseries through to sixth forms, mainstream and special schools, as well as alternative provision.

Together, this alliance is driving a nationwide research and development programme that will run over several years. It’s focused on some of the most challenging issues schools face today: curriculum and assessment; equity and dignity; and inclusion and innovation when using digital technology in education.

During the event, I took part in deep and wide-ranging discussions on:

• The future of digital and on-screen assessments
• Digital skills and readiness, for both staff and learners
• National infrastructure and policy
• Ensuring equity, dignity and inclusion for all learners in digitally supported assessment
• The impact of these issues for children and young people, from nursery right through to sixth form, across both state and independent schools

These conversations were both inspiring and challenging, but what struck me the most was the collective sense of responsibility. Everyone in the room recognised the urgency of ensuring that digital innovation is not only effective but also equitable and meaningful for all learners.

Dr Fiona Aubrey-Smith, Co-founder of the National PedTech Partnership, summed it up perfectly:

“It is very unusual to have a large group of pioneering leaders representing such a diverse range of schools and learners in one room, focused so tightly on core and contemporary issues. The partnership’s inspirational school leaders really understand what needs to evolve in terms of policy, as well as how to actually make that happen impactfully and positively in schools and classrooms.”

Co-founder John Murphy added:

“Our community are all systems leaders united by their passion to ensure that every child and young person across the education sector achieves or exceeds their potential. At the heart of the National PedTech Partnership are commitments of professional generosity, collaboration and learning together. Exciting times are coming as this partnership grows from strength to strength.”

From my own point of view, I think it is so important that we work together to share best practice and attempt to answer challenging questions. The power of this type of network was more than evident.

Over the coming months, insights from this work will be shared through targeted working groups and research summaries, leading to formal publications and a book due to be released by Crown House in 2026.

The September event was generously supported by Pearson, who provided their central London headquarters as a venue.

Find out more about our Digital Learning strategy here.