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[![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67b6eb9544c5ccd53a71af16/6822fef27f7e4abefb1b1b4b_b8e5e574272debd65bdc0005e79f2599_contact-phone.svg) 0208 762 0882](tel:02087620882)[![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67b6eb9544c5ccd53a71af16/6822fef2846abb9a1dc6e09c_e933439d49630a99ef81b4695bbf4bca_contact-envelop.svg) info@applicaa.com](mailto:info@applicaa.com) [Watch demo](https://applicaa.com/demos)[Book a meeting](https://meetings.hubspot.com/amanda-grainger/website-meeting-link) [![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67b6eb9544c5ccd53a71af16/6822fef27f7e4abefb1b1b4b_b8e5e574272debd65bdc0005e79f2599_contact-phone.svg) 0204 538 1630](tel:02045381630)[![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67b6eb9544c5ccd53a71af16/6822fef2846abb9a1dc6e09c_e933439d49630a99ef81b4695bbf4bca_contact-envelop.svg) info@applicaa.com](mailto:info@applicaa.com) # BETT 2025: key insights and connections from the show floor 25 Jan 2026 [Nicola Entwistle](https://blog.applicaa.com/author/nicola-entwistle) ![](https://blog.applicaa.com/hubfs/bett%202026%20team.jpg) The energy at BETT 2025 was evident from the moment we opened Stand SH30. We went into the show with a hunch - that Multi-Academy Trusts and Further Education colleges were ready for conversations about centralised admissions and more flexible enrolment systems. Over three days at ExCeL London, I watched our team have hundreds of conversations with education leaders, and it turned out our instincts were absolutely right. The market is there, and these two sectors are actively seeking solutions. ## MATs: the shift towards centralised admissions One of the most striking observations from this year's BETT was the number of MAT Directors and Operations Leads who stopped by specifically to discuss centralised admissions management. What became clear to me through these conversations is that many trusts have been managing admissions at school level not necessarily by choice, but because there simply hasn't been a product in the market that allows them to truly centralise their admissions operations. We spoke with several MATs managing 8-15 schools who described wanting trust-wide visibility and consistent processes but lacking the tools to make it happen effectively. The challenge isn't just about bringing applications into one place - it's about forecasting capacity across the trust, understanding application patterns, and being able to plan strategically for future growth or changes in demand. What resonated particularly strongly with me was hearing how much MAT leaders want to balance trust-level oversight with individual school autonomy. They want to see the bigger picture - where are we oversubscribed, where do we have capacity, how are trends shifting year on year - whilst still allowing schools to maintain their individual character and community relationships. ## FE colleges: enrolment efficiency is critical Further Education colleges arrived at our stand with a different but equally urgent challenge: managing increasingly complex enrolment processes within systems that weren't built to grow with them. I had particularly productive conversations with colleges handling 2,000+ applications annually, many of whom are currently using bespoke CRMs that have become limiting rather than enabling. These systems often lack the flexibility to adapt to changing course offerings, can't easily accommodate the complexity of FE applications (with their multiple entry points and varied learner journeys), and struggle to expand as the college grows. What struck me was how FE leaders were drawn to Applicaa's depth of experience in the education admissions space. Rather than trying to retrofit a generic CRM, they could see the value in working with a platform that's been purpose-built for education and has evolved through years of understanding how admissions teams actually work. Several leaders expressed interest in our application tracking and automated communications capabilities, recognising that the right system would free their teams from fighting against their technology and allow them to focus on supporting prospective students through their application journey. ## What's next The conversations at BETT have given us valuable insight into where the sector is heading. For MATs, it's about finally having the tools to centralise effectively and plan strategically. For FE colleges, it's about moving from systems that constrain to platforms that enable growth. We're following up with everyone who booked meetings at the show, and we're extending our BETT discount offer (20% off) through for anyone who couldn't make it to the show but would like to explore how Applicaa could support their admissions challenges. If you'd like to continue any of the conversations we started at BETT, or if you'd like to arrange a discovery call to see how we could help with your specific situation, [book a meeting](https://meetings.hubspot.com/nicola-entwistle/post-bett-2026) with the team here. ### Share: [Share on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.applicaa.com/bett-2025-key-insights-and-connections-from-the-show-floor&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook) [Share on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.applicaa.com/bett-2025-key-insights-and-connections-from-the-show-floor&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) [Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://blog.applicaa.com/bett-2025-key-insights-and-connections-from-the-show-floor&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&url=https://blog.applicaa.com/bett-2025-key-insights-and-connections-from-the-show-floor&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&source=tweetbutton&text=BETT%202025:%20key%20insights%20and%20connections%20from%20the%20show%20floor) [mat](https://blog.applicaa.com/tag/mat), [colleges](https://blog.applicaa.com/tag/colleges), [Post-16](https://blog.applicaa.com/tag/post-16) ## Nicola Entwistle Head of Marketing [nicola@applicaa.com](mailto:nicola@applicaa.com) ## Comments ## Related posts Search [MAT Management+ Beta Launch](https://blog.applicaa.com/mat-management-beta-launch) [Celebrating Excellence](https://blog.applicaa.com/celebrating-excellence-applicaa-champions-appreciation-lunch) Search Copyright © 2025 Applicaa LTD, All Rights Reserved ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Nicola Entwistle", "url" : "https://blog.applicaa.com/author/nicola-entwistle" }, "dateModified" : "2026-02-11T13:44:55.194Z", "datePublished" : "2026-01-25T15:33:53.000Z", "headline" : "BETT 2025: key insights and connections from the show floor", "image" : [ "https://blog.applicaa.com/hubfs/bett%202026%20team.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.applicaa.com/bett-2025-key-insights-and-connections-from-the-show-floor", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.applicaa.com/hubfs/APPLICAA_LOGO_White%20Background-1.png" }, "name" : "Applicaa LTD." } } ```