Dryad Education/Specialist Crafts
At Dryad Education, we’ve built a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow. Transparency is at our core, with quarterly company-wide meetings keeping everyone informed, while regular one-to-ones ensure every individual has a voice.
Our inclusive culture reflects our diverse workforce, with near-equal gender representation and multiple nationalities, fostering a welcoming environment for all. Well-being is a priority, with an Employee Assistance Programme offering confidential mental health support, alongside flexible and hybrid working to help employees balance work and life.
We believe in investing in our people. Leadership training, funded qualifications, and clear career pathways provide opportunities for professional development, while performance-linked pay increases and bonuses recognise hard work.
Celebrating success is a key part of our culture. Employee of the Month awards, quarterly recognition bonuses, and everyday appreciation from managers ensure contributions never go unnoticed.
Beyond work, our Social Committee organises monthly company-funded events, from BBQs to charity walks, bringing teams together and strengthening our culture. With 96% of employees enthusiastic to work here, Dryad Education isn’t just a workplace – it’s a community where people genuinely enjoy coming to work.
Educake
Educake is a socially-responsible company centred around the value of caring, reflected in its approach to employees, teachers, and the community. The platform simplifies assessment by automating homework marking, identifying knowledge gaps, and providing actionable feedback, which reduces teacher workload and enhances student progress. This has led to widespread usage, positive recommendations, and key milestones, including 10-year partnerships and over 2 billion student questions answered.
A whole school solution, Educake offers a broad range of subjects at Key Stage 3 and 4, recently expanding into Key Stage 2. Its customisable quizzes and extensive question bank are aligned with national curricula. The platform is continually updated based on teacher feedback, including new features like results analysis and reports on knowledge gaps.
Educake relies on product quality and teacher recommendations. The customer service is highly rated, and the company builds community engagement through initiatives like Freddo Fridays, where we celebrate the achievements of classes using Educake.
Educake also supports employees with flexible working, generous parental leave, and wellbeing initiatives, while maintaining a focus on sustainability and corporate responsibility.
eduthing
At eduthing, we believe our people are our greatest asset, so we work hard to create a people-first culture built on ownership, pride, care, and respect. Our people strategy supports employees throughout their journey, empowering them to grow, exceed their potential, and contribute to their successes.
We prioritise employee development by offering a technical training platform, paid training day, and financial support for certifications. Career pathways and continuous performance management ensure meaningful development conversations.
Employee engagement is key, with regular surveys, a monthly newsletter, and social media recognition celebrating achievements. We promote diversity and inclusion through supportive policies, awareness initiatives, and community engagement, including volunteering opportunities.
Wellbeing is at the heart of our culture, supported by a strategy covering physical, mental, social, and financial health. Employees benefit from health cash plans, an employee assistance program, gym subsidies, and financial wellbeing resources. Partnerships with wellbeing experts provide training and support to maintain a proactive approach to mental health.
Work-life balance is encouraged through flexible working, enhanced family leave, birthday leave, and additional time off at Christmas. At eduthing, we are committed to creating an environment where our employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.
eduthing
EdShed (Education Shed) is the umbrella for several educational products, including Phonics Shed, Spelling Shed, MathShed, The Literacy Shed, The Literacy Shed Plus and QuizShed. Run by teachers for teachers, EdShed makes products that create as much educational impact as possible with the least hassle for educators and learners.
Founded in 2017 by Martin Saunders and Rob Smith after a conversation about improving spelling in primary schools, Spelling Shed was launched as a relatively simple app and it’s escalated ever since.
EdShed is now used across 180 countries and has specific curriculums for the UK, USA, South Africa and Australia. Over half of UK primary schools use EdShed and the games are enjoyed by millions of children worldwide.
EdShed seamlessly integrates high-quality, evidence-based teaching resources with cutting-edge technology. Its suite of interactive learning platforms revolutionises teaching and learning. Through interactive lessons, engaging quizzes, enriching eBooks and stimulating educational games, EdShed creates a dynamic and adaptive learning environment that engages young minds, reduces teacher workload and helps foster enthusiasm for learning.
Findel
Findel is dedicated to creating an inclusive, supportive, and engaging workplace where employees feel valued, motivated, and empowered. With a strong focus on professional development, work-life balance, and employee recognition, we foster a culture where individuals can thrive.
Our Employee Voice survey results show an improved eNPS score and a high sense of belonging (80%). Ranked 63 / 100 in the UK’s Great Place to Work list for large companies, our people-first approach is recognised externally. We offer extensive training programs, mentorship opportunities, and hybrid working to support professional growth and well-being.
Findel’s impact extends beyond our workforce. Through the Findel Foundation, we support children and young people, reinforcing our commitment to social responsibility. Our Start Small, Dream Big initiative introduces primary school pupils to career opportunities, earning praise from educators.
Recognition and appreciation are integral to our culture, as evidenced by positive customer feedback and employee engagement initiatives. The refurbishment of our office post-COVID further enhances our collaborative and dynamic work environment.
Findel is more than a workplace—it’s a community. For these reasons, we proudly enter the BESA Best Place to Work Award, demonstrating our commitment to being an exceptional employer in the education sector.