Guest: Ed Fairfield, then Commercial Director at Elementary Technology, which supplies technology and training to schools, and at the time Vice Chair of Naace. He speaks from a supplier's side as well as a governor's. Published 28 April 2026.
What this covers
- Where to start when planning technology for your school.
- The questions to ask suppliers before you buy.
- How to get best value from what you spend.
Before you act on it
The DfE's digital and technology standards for schools and colleges set out what your technology should meet, and its buying for schools guidance covers how to buy. Where a product processes pupil or staff data, run a data protection impact assessment.
About the session
Jonathan and Lucy are joined by Ed Fairfield as they discuss the minefield of planning, choosing, buying and using technology for your schools.
Ed Fairfield
Twitter: @mreddtech
Ed Fairfield was then Commercial Director at Elementary Technology, a supplier of technology and training to schools, helping schools with Planning, Choosing, Buying and Using education technology.
He also advises schools, Trusts and education professionals as part of his role as Vice Chair of Naace – the EdTech Association - a charity supporting schools on effective use of technology.
To help provide different perspectives to these roles, Ed is a primary school governor overseeing IT provision, wellbeing and the Computing curriculum.
He regularly writes and presents his thoughts and findings around EdTech, notably in Tes, the Education Forum, BETT and elsewhere.
They discuss:
Making the most of technology in your school…
- Where to start
- Asking the right questions of your suppliers
- How to get best value from your investment
