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Entry Criteria

  • The final deadline for entries was 5 pm Friday 13 March 2026.
  • The shortlisted finalists were announced in April 2026.
  • The winners were announced at a lunchtime ceremony in London at The HAC on Thursday 9 July 2026.
  • Entries could be for any products/initiatives/developments/improvements which have taken place, or been utilised from 1 April 2025 – 13 March 2026.
  • The awards are only open to UK-based companies.
  • A product may be entered into more than one category. There is no limit to the number of entries one organisation can make.
  • All categories are awarded based on the decision of our independent panel of judges.
  • Judges reserve the right, without prior consent of the entrant, to move entries to different categories if they feel it is more appropriate.
  • The judges’ decision is final, no correspondence will be entered into and no reasons given for decisions.
  • Judges will absent themselves from any discussions where they have a vested interest.
  • All information provided to judges will be used solely for the purposes of assessing the entries. Potentially sensitive information will not be made public.
  • Entry fees are per entry.  By completing the intention to enter by 16 January, the entry fee was £225, or £145 for BESA members.  The standard entry fee was £235, or £175 for BESA members.
  • The entry fee is non-refundable.
  • If the entry fee is not accompanied by the entry, then it must be received before the entry deadline, or the submission will not be judged.
  • Winners may state in advertising and promotional material that they have won.
  • By submitting your entry you certify that, to the best of your knowledge, the information provided is correct and adheres to the specific requirements of that category.
Entry Form Requirements

Round 1

  • Entrants are required to complete the category entry form to convince the judges that they are worthy of winning this award.
  • 3 files of supporting material of no more than 4 pages each can also be included. 
  • Video footage can be also submitted but should be sent as a link within the main body of the entry and should be no more than 2 minutes in length.

Round 2

  • If you were shortlisted in any of the below categories, you were asked to produce a short pre-recorded video by COB on the 11th May for Round 2 of the judging.  The shortlist was announced in April 2026.
    • Best Use of AI in Education
    • Evidence and Impact Award
    • Make the Difference Award
    • Outstanding Curriculum and Assessment Resource
    • Outstanding Early Years Resource or Service
    • Outstanding Educational Furniture, Equipment or Physical
    • Outstanding SEND Resource or Service
    • Outstanding Support Service
    • Outstanding Training and Career Development
    • Sustainability and Net Zero Award

Entry Tips

Answer the Questions

Read the questions carefully, and ensure you target your answers to the question.
  • Keep focused and ensure all information is relevant

Don’t Ignore the Rules

  • Word count – the judges are on a deadline too so are keen to read concise copy
  • Keep within the upload sizes requested
  • Adhere to stipulated PDF and .doc upload formats
  • Submit by the closing date!

Communicate with Clarity

Remember the judges will be looking through hundreds of entries.
  • Be concise, clear and focused – with clean, easy-to-digest copy
  • Make it easy for them to make sense of your entry
  • Create a narrative, and make your submission a good read
  • Write with verve, be compelling and passionate, aim to stand out
  • Avoid jargon, inflated claims, unexplained acronyms and unedited copy-and- pasting
  • Set the scene – provide insight into your business/event, with context where appropriate

Include Supporting Evidence

  • Make sure the supporting material backs up your claims in the main submission
  • The more quotes from satisfied clients the better
  • Pertinent facts and figures can improve your awards entry
  • Where necessary validate your claims to enable the judges to evaluate their impact

World Beats Links

  • The words of your submission form should be the main focus and thrust of your entry
  • Make it easy to access websites and files
  • Consider a link to a short YouTube video with footage from the event being entered.
  • Consider creating short URLs (e.g. Bitly.com) If you include links to lengthy websites
  • Avoid weighty download files that have to be sifted through to find your point

Leave Enough Time

  • Enter early – a last minute rush is likely to impact on the quality of your submission
  • The process invariably takes longer than expected, particularly if you need sign-offs
  • Allocate yourself more time than you think you will need

Assign Somebody to the Job

  • Designate someone in your company as the Awards coordinator – responsible for collating information, contacting referred clients, consulting colleagues, checking facts, chasing up, writing the initial draft and keeping an eye on timeline and deadline

Seek Client’s Permission

  • Ensure any relevant clients are happy to have their product entered, or feedback included, especially if it contains commercially sensitive information. (they will probably be delighted, and you can invite them to the ceremony if shortlisted!)

Proofread

  • When the basics are finalised give it to the best writer in your company to polish.
  • Typos can make a good submission look sloppy
  • Thoroughly check spelling, grammar and punctuation

Choose the Right Category

  • Consider entering categories you think might attract less entrants to give yourself a higher chance of success
  • You can give yourself a decent chance of being shortlisted/winning by entering more than one relevant category
Using these guidance notes will not guarantee success, but it will give your entry the best possible chance of making compelling reading for the judging panel.
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