Esports in Education: What senior leaders should understand

As schools, colleges and trusts look for new ways to tackle engagement, inclusion and progression, esports offers an accessible and aspirational pathway for every learner, connecting curriculum, enrichment and future careers through one coherent digital strategy.

The outcomes
Delivered by British Esports Federation and Leadership Skills Foundation, you will:

understand how esports can drive digital strategy, enhance pupil engagement, and develop essential future‑ready skills
identify practical next steps for implementing an esports‑aligned curriculum through the Esports Leaders Programme
gain insight into how esports can improve attendance, progression pathways and whole‑school culture through an inclusive, innovative and impactful approach
see real examples from schools already delivering esports, including how they are building digital confidence among both staff and learners

Speaker

Kalam Neale

VP - Education and Skills, British Esports Federation

Why this, why now?

Why this, why now?
As digital technologies evolve at unprecedented speed, schools, colleges and trusts face increasing pressure to prepare learners for a world defined by connectivity, creativity and rapid innovation. With 9 in 10 young people already engaging with video games, esports presents a powerful, curriculum‑aligned route to meet our young people where they already are.

Yet many senior leaders report feeling behind the curve when planning a coherent, future‑focused digital strategy. This session will showcase how esports can bridge that gap: supporting digital literacy, technical pathways, inclusion, behaviour, and re‑engagement at a time when these pressures have never been greater.

“Technology can – and should – support children and young people’s education and wellbeing. Technology is rapidly evolving and has the power to enrich education, driving outcomes for all children, especially the most disadvantaged.“ (Department for Education, Every Child Achieving and Thriving, 2026, Ch. 7).

The experience

British Esports Federation and Leadership Skills Foundation will present real examples from schools already delivering esports, alongside practical guidance on embedding esports within curriculum and enrichment pathways.

Key learnings

Participants will:

understand how esports can support key school priorities, including pupil engagement, attendance, and the Ofsted personal development and careers education agenda, while developing digital and leadership skills
identify practical first steps for introducing an esports pathway in their setting; using the Esports Leaders Programme to connect enrichment, student leadership, and curriculum-linked learning
reconsider how schools can harness students’ digital interests positively, using esports as a tool to widen participation, strengthen belonging, and engage learners who may not connect with traditional activities