Looking ahead to the new year, we share our thoughts on four key trends shaping education technology in 2026, and what they could mean for schools and trusts.

Our 4 top predictions for you to consider:

1. AI  moves from novelty to necessity

If 2025 was the year AI matured, 2026 will be the year it becomes embedded in everyday practice. School leaders are no longer asking “Should we use AI?”—the question now is “How do we use it responsibly and effectively?”

The challenge will be striking the right balance: empowering staff and learners with AI tools while ensuring robust governance, safeguarding, and clarity around data privacy. 

The key challenge will likely centre on developing confidence:

• helping staff understand where AI genuinely adds value,

• ensuring leaders can evaluate tools based on evidence rather than hype, and

• keeping safe usage front and centre.

2. Beyond migration: unlocking the cloud’s strategic potential

iCT4 schools have now completed, or are close to completing, their migration to the cloud. For schools in 2026, the focus may now be on maximising the benefits of cloud based system, for example:

• Automation that reduces admin.
• Improved collaboration between schools in a trust.
• Data insights that support decision-making.

 

Schools should see cloud migration as a starting point rather than an end goal, this then leads to genuine digital transformation. 

3.  Cyber resilience becomes a core competency

Incidents affecting schools and trusts have continued to rise over recent years, and the risk level is unlikely to decrease in 2026.

This creates a practical reality: cybersecurity can no longer sit solely with ICT teams.

Schools may benefit from:

• Reviewing incident response plans.
• Ensuring staff training is up to date and role-appropriate.
• Stress-testing backup and recovery processes.
• Checking that technical controls are configured effectively.

 

The emphasis for 2026 may shift from preventing every attack (which no organisation can guarantee) to building resilience, minimising disruption, and ensuring learning can continue even if the unexpected happens.

4. Making every pound count: strategic investment over short-term fixes

Even with shifting political and funding landscapes, education budgets remain under pressure.

2026 will demand smarter spending and a sharper focus on value. Schools will need to audit their ICT estates, retire inefficient legacy systems, and embrace solutions that deliver measurable impact.

Strategic partnerships will be key, working with ICT providers who understand the sector and can help schools future-proof investments.