Why Collaboration, Community and Purposeful EdTech Matter More Than Ever
Why Collaboration, Community and Purposeful EdTech Matter More Than Ever
Insights from M.E.E.T. 2026 with Baasit Siddiqui and L.E.A.D. IT Services
Insights from M.E.E.T. 2026 with Baasit Siddiqui and L.E.A.D. IT Services
At M.E.E.T. 2026 in Derby, one theme cut through every conversation, keynote and corridor discussion: education thrives when people come together with purpose.
In a face‑to‑face conversation at the event, Baasit Siddiqui joined Chris Edwards of L.E.A.D. IT Services to discuss why education technology events matter, why leadership can feel isolating, and how collaboration between schools, MATs and the commercial sector is shaping a stronger future for young people.
The message was simple, powerful and timely; education is not something we do alone – and neither is technology.
Stepping out of the Classroom to see the bigger picture
Opening the conversation, Chris Edwards set the tone by highlighting the importance of bringing educators and leaders out of the classroom and offices and into shared spaces where real conversations can happen.
It’s so important to bring people out of the classroom, out of the offices, to really get in front of other people… talk to other schools, talk to other MATs and find out what’s going on in the industry and how we can solve problems together.
For Baasit, events like M.E.E.T. 2026 are essential because they offer something schools and leaders rarely get day‑to‑day: perspective.
Events like this are vital to keep up to date with what’s going on in the education space… and they give me a real sense of that willingness to collaborate.
Every school operates within its own context – different challenges, priorities, budgets and communities – but the shared experiences matter deeply. A powerful moment in the discussion came when Baasit spoke openly about the human side of leadership in education.
Every school is different, every school’s got its own context, but it’s good to know that you’re not in it alone. When you’re a leader, it’s quite a lonely job.
That honesty resonated with many attending M.E.E.T. 2026. Leadership comes with responsibility, pressure and expectation – but not always with support.
Coming in and meeting people who are going through the same stresses, trials and tribulations you’re going through… there’s nothing like it. The face‑to‑face side is really, really powerful.
This is where events – and partners like L.E.A.D. IT Services – play a critical role: creating spaces where leaders can connect, reflect and grow together.
Purposeful technology, not technology for technology’s sake
The conversation naturally turned to education technology – not as a product, but as a strategy.
Baasit was clear: effective EdTech isn’t about buying tools; it’s about impact.
It’s about making sure you’re not just getting tech for the sake of it, but being really purposeful – measuring it and seeing the impact as well.
This aligns closely with LEAD IT Services’ ethos: technology should serve learning, not distract from it.
Baasit also highlighted the value of CPD, thought leadership and learning from others already doing great work.
It’s so important to keep up to date… hearing success stories and then talking to people to see how you can be of service as well.
Let’s Thrive: Character, Enterprise and Digital Skills
The conversation also focused on Baasit’s work through Let’s Thrive – a project rooted in preparing young people for the future, not just exams.
A lot of my workshops focus around character education, coupled with enterprise skills and digital technology.
At its heart, Let’s Thrive is about the skills employers are looking for — and communities need:
- Agility with technology
- Collaboration and compromise
- Community awareness
- Adaptability in an ever‑changing world
That’s education in a nutshell.
And crucially, it’s about remembering the why behind everything schools and partners do.
Whether you’re a business, an education provider, or on the chalk face – you’re all doing it for the benefit of young people.
Education, Business and Community: Stronger Together
M.E.E.T. 2026 also showcased something increasingly important: meaningful collaboration between education and the commercial sector.
Chris highlighted the growing crossover:
We’re seeing more commercial sectors working with education to support the community.
For Baasit, Derby stands as a leading example of what’s possible.
I love that Derby’s at the forefront of this… businesses that want to support their kids, their schools, and their community.
The more we look after our schools, the more we’re looking after our kids – and we’re looking after our community.
And there’s a bigger vision too: inspiring young people to feel proud of where they come from.
We want our kids to be so inspired by the businesses around them that they stay in the Midlands – because they’re proud of it.
As the conversation drew to a close, one word kept resurfacing: inspiration.
You get motivated and inspired by people just doing good work.
That inspiration – from students, educators, technologists and community leaders – is exactly what L.E.A.D. IT Services exists to support.
Moving Education Forward, Together
At LEAD IT Services, we believe technology is most powerful when it’s human, purposeful and collaborative – exactly the message that came through loud and clear at M.E.E.T. 2026.
If you want to explore how education technology, community collaboration and purposeful leadership can support your school, MAT or organisation, contact the LEAD IT team today.
Let’s keep the conversation going
And keep building a future where education and technology truly work together.
