A scheme from Bristol using technology to enable people of all abilities to create music has won a prestigious EdTech award.
The Soundbeam Project was shortlisted in the SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) Resources, Products, and Services category of the Bett Awards for Soundbeam, its touch-free device, pictured, that translates physical movements into musical notes using cutting-edge sensor technology. 
It enables people of all abilities to create music, transforming the potential of music therapy and enhancing inclusion for SEND learners.
Two other Bristol firms were shortlisted in the awards. Learning with Parents, a charity whose digital reading log WeRead makes it easy to track reading progress through audio clips shared between home and school, and Best Practice Network, which provides training and professional development for education professionals, partners with more than 1,500 schools.
Produced in association with the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA), the Bett Awards recognise excellence across all realms of EdTech, from digital platforms for monitoring student progress to online resources supporting teacher training. Kids Judge Bett Awards, one of which was won by Soundbeam, were chosen by children attending the Bett UK education technology event in London.
Katy Potts, who oversees Kids Judge Bett, said: “Huge congratulations to Soundbeam on being named a winner of Kids Judge Bett. To receive a seal of approval from the very children you seek to help is the ultimate recognition. Kids Judge Bett puts children at the heart of EdTech – because who better to judge learning resources than the children themselves?”
The Soundbeam Project co-director Cindy Crossland added: “A huge thanks to the children who took part in Kids Judge Bett for this fantastic award.
“It means so much to us to be recognised by students themselves. It is their enthusiasm and excitement that drives our dedication to the continual development of Soundbeam – our award-winning accessible music technology that can foster inclusivity and creativity in the classroom and beyond.”
Bett head of content Emma Vandore said: “Congratulations to Soundbeam on being crowned a winner at Kids Judge Bett 2024, and thank you to all the companies and schools that took part.
“Showcasing the transformative impact technology can have on young learners is an integral part of Bett UK, and seeing first-hand the excitement and curiosity among the students as they toured the exhibition floor reaffirms our mission to empower schools with innovative products and resources that can make a real difference in the classroom.”
Students from across the UK took centre stage at Bett UK 2024, presenting Soundbeam with the prestigious Kids Judge Bett award on stage alongside acclaimed poet and children’s author Michael Rosen.
Bett UK, which took place at London’s ExCeL Centre last month, brought together 30,000 stakeholders – including 10,000 education decision-makers, 600 innovative EdTech and resource solution providers, and 400 speakers.
