EdTech Testbed Programme: guidance
Published 24 September 2026
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/edtech-testbed-programme/edtech-testbed-programme-guidance
Overview
The EdTech Testbed Programme seeks to build a rapid and robust evidence base on the impact of education technology (EdTech) tools across 3 key priorities:
- improving learner outcomes
- reducing workload
- increasing inclusion of all learners, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
The programme supports the Department for Education’s (DfE’s) opportunity mission and helps to address some of the most significant challenges facing schools and colleges. It will be one of the largest government-backed programmes of EdTech evaluation undertaken in England, with total investment of £24 million over 4 years.
The programme will identify and test EdTech products and practices, including use of generative AI tools, in schools and colleges to generate evidence of effectiveness, implementation and impact across more than 1,000 school and college settings.
Summary
Excellent teaching remains at the heart of education. Technology should enhance and support great teaching, not replace it, and schools and colleges should be empowered to make decisions and use both digital and traditional approaches according to what works best for their learners.
While investment in education technology continues to grow, high-quality evidence about what works, for whom and in what circumstances remains limited. This can make it difficult for schools and colleges to identify which tools deliver meaningful improvements in teaching, learning, inclusion and efficiency.
To support effective adoption of EdTech, DfE is seeking to strengthen the evidence base and promote a more evidence-informed approach across the sector. This requires collaboration with schools, colleges, EdTech providers, parents and learners to:
- generate robust evidence
- share best practice
- support investment in technologies that improve teaching, learning, inclusion and outcomes
Adoption of technology must be supported by robust safeguards, particularly as generative AI develops.
Ultimately, we will support the use of technology, including AI, where it is safe, purposeful and improves outcomes for children and young people.
By building a stronger evidence pipeline – from rapid evaluations to robust trials – DfE will publish the results of the programme’s evaluations and give schools and colleges access to evidence so that they can make informed decisions and invest in the tools that best meet their needs.
Who the programme is for
The programme is for:
- schools and colleges interested in testing and trialling innovative education technologies
- schools and colleges seeking robust evidence on the effectiveness and impact of EdTech products and practices
- education leaders, teachers and decision-makers who want to make informed choices about technology adoption and investment
- EdTech companies looking to build their evidence capability and who are interested in generating high-quality evidence of the impact of their products
- researchers and evaluators interested in understanding and advancing approaches to evaluating education technology
Programme activities
Pre-testbed research
The findings of a research programme undertaken by RAND Europe to review existing evidence on EdTech, identify where more evidence is needed and highlight the most promising ways EdTech can support teaching and learning will help shape the scope of the programme.
Stage 1: rapid evidence evaluations
DfE is working with a consortium to conduct up to 100 rapid evaluations in schools and colleges to generate timely evidence on EdTech products and practices and identify those that show promise for further, more rigorous evaluation. The consortium is led by Ipsos, which has partnered with:
- University College London
- EdTech Impact
- Ecorys UK
- Chartered College of Teaching
- King’s College London
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) will act as an evidence partner, drawing on its expertise in rigorous educational evaluation, and helping to ensure evaluations are designed and delivered to robust methodological standards.
Stage 2: robust evaluations
The most promising tools identified through stage 1 will progress to large-scale, rigorous evaluations.
The EEF will invest £7 million to deliver up to 15 randomised controlled trials, or other rigorous evaluations, of tools to generate robust evidence of impact.
Aims of the programme
The programme will:
- identify promising EdTech products and practices that address key challenges in education
- build a robust evidence base on the impact of EdTech in schools and colleges
- support schools and colleges to make informed decisions about adopting and investing in technology
- improve understanding of how technology can reduce teacher and administrative workload, improve learner outcomes and support inclusion
- help build capability in the EdTech sector to generate evidence and create a blueprint for rapid evidence evaluations and robust studies
- drive culture change across the education sector to adopt a more evidence-informed approach to EdTech
How you can get involved
The programme will recruit schools, colleges and EdTech suppliers in phases, beginning during the 2026 to 2027 academic year. Opportunities to participate will include:
- taking part in evaluations
- joining the EdTech Testbed Network
- contributing to research activities
- accessing programme learning and events
Schools, colleges and EdTech suppliers that previously expressed an interest in the EdTech Impact Pilot do not need to re-register at this stage. Those organisations will be contacted directly by our stage 1 delivery consortium with relevant information about opportunities and next steps.
Additional opportunities to participate will be promoted through programme webinars, partner organisations and programme communications as recruitment opens for future evaluation cycles.
The programme will also establish an EdTech Testbed Network, bringing together educators, researchers, policymakers and EdTech providers to share learning, attend events and contribute to the development of the evidence base for education technology.
Evaluation findings, practical guidance and programme updates will be published through the programme’s online evidence hub, newsletters and other dissemination channels as they become available.
Contact us
Register for updates if you would like to receive programme updates and hear about future opportunities to get involved.