Across the UK, school leaders are under increasing pressure to do more with less. But while budgets tighten, a silent drain continues: unused edtech. Platforms go unlogged into, licences auto-renew, and tools bought with the best intentions gather digital dust.
If you’ve ever walked past a once-loved interactive whiteboard (now used as a glorified projector), or had to reset a forgotten login for a tool nobody really uses, you’ll recognise the pattern. Across the country, schools are spending thousands on tech that ends up gathering dust.
And with budgets under real pressure, we can’t afford that kind of waste.
The problem isn’t just poor purchasing decisions. It’s the lack of a clear, connected strategy for how technology supports teaching, learning, and wellbeing – not in theory, but in the everyday reality of school life.
Before jumping into surveys or new subscriptions, take stock. Make a list of every tool your school or trust is currently paying for. Include everything from planning tools and wellbeing trackers to assessment platforms and communication systems. Then ask: what’s being used? How often? And is it helping?
You’ll often find different schools in the same trust using different tools for the same job, or several systems that don’t talk to each other. Meanwhile, areas like lesson planning, interventions, or pastoral care may be under-supported.
This is where a platform like askKira can be a game-changer. It doesn’t replace your existing tech. It connects and enhances it. Used alongside tools like Lexplore (for reading diagnostics) or BounceTogether (for wellbeing tracking), askKira helps turn insights into action — suggesting targeted interventions, adapting materials, and supporting teacher workload.
It’s like having a helpful, behind-the-scenes assistant – quietly making sure the right pupils get the right support at the right time.
Once you’ve reviewed the tools, bring staff into the conversation. Don’t overcomplicate it. Ask them which tools help, which ones don’t, and what gets in the way. This gives you a grounded view of what’s really working – and what needs rethinking.
Staff aren’t anti-tech. They’re anti-timewasting. Their insight is crucial to shaping something that actually works.
Schools are under real pressure to make every penny count, so getting value from edtech has never been more important. Many are asking tougher questions – not just about what a tool does, but whether it works. Schools want flexibility, transparency, and reassurance that tech is making a real difference.
Whether they opt for a short pilot or a longer-term plan, the priority is the same: no more paying for tools that gather dust.
That’s why askKira has introduced a pay-as-you-go model. There are no set-up costs, thanks to philanthropic funding. You only pay when the platform is being used and making an impact. It’s a simple, fairer way to help schools trial AI support in a way that fits their budget and needs – not the other way round.
Before buying more tech, make the most of what you’ve already got. Build a connected strategy. Bring tools together. Ask more from your providers. And remember: good technology should support your people, not swamp them.
In schools, every tool should earn its place. With the right approach, it will.
We’re offering fully funded setup and support to the first 50 MATs ready to try askKira.
There’s no catch — just a fair, flexible model that lets you pay only for what’s used.
Book a quick call or get started here: [mail us]
Let’s make your edtech work for you, not against you.
