This year, we celebrate 40 years of supplying schools and other learning environments with innovate educational resources. A lot has changed over the years, and we have had to learn, adapt and grow, but we are proud to still be at the heart of education and are excited for the future!
Read on to find out more about our story.
The creation of TTS (1985)
Our journey began in 1985 with a mission to create educational resources that truly made a difference. Frustrated by the lack of hands-on tools that engaged children and supported effective teaching, we set out to design and deliver materials that were practical, purposeful, and exciting for young learners.
With this vision, we started operating out of a garage in the East Midlands. Our team listened closely to the needs of teachers, responded quickly to feedback, and soon launched a small but impactful range of educational tools. Even in those early years, the hallmark of TTS was our ability to turn teachers’ ideas into real-world resources.
Growing with Purpose (1990s – 2000s)
We enjoyed rapid growth in the nineties and early noughties and as education evolved, so did our product line. From basic manipulatives for maths and literacy to creative role-play kits and outdoor learning equipment, we continually pushed the boundaries of what quality classroom resources looked like.
One of the defining features of this era was co-creation. We worked directly with educators and experts to develop solutions grounded in pedagogy. Our product catalogue became a staple in UK schools and our commitment to quality, creativity, and teacher-led design set us apart in the education sector.
Joining the RM family and creating Bee-Bot (2004)
Following 19 years of success, we were acquired by RM PLC and became the Group’s educational resources division. We expanded beyond the UK, gaining international recognition for our innovative, child-centred approach. Schools and Distributors around the world began to adopt TTS resources, drawn by their blend of fun, function, quality and educational integrity.
Our flagship resource, Bee-Bot®, was launched in 2004 and has become a staple in schools across the world to introduce programming and coding to young learners. This was a gamechanger for us and showcased our ability to take emerging trends and translate them into accessible, age-appropriate tools that sparked curiosity and exploration.
Embracing Technology in a Digital Age & Supporting Expansion in Early Years Education (2010s)
As the digital revolution swept across education, we were quick to adapt. Recognising the growing importance of STEM learning and digital literacy, we upgraded and expanded our robotics range to harnessing new technologies to further advance coding in education. Bee-Bot was upgraded, a supporting app was launched, and new robots – including Blue-Bot® and Rugged Robot – became a part of our family.
In this period we saw significant growth in Early Years following the introduction of the EYFS and the rollout of funded hours. We expanded and innovated to help practitioners support all areas of the EYFS.
Supporting Educators in Challenging Times (2020s – today)
The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to the education sector, and we stepped up to support educators, parents and pupils in difficult times.
When schools closed, we responded rapidly by creating free home-learning packs, supporting remote teaching, and helping parents become at-home educators. We worked closely with schools to adapt resources for hybrid and online learning environments.
In 2022 we launched our TTS Talking Early Years Podcast to support educators and give them the tools and insights to support their school or educational setting. Almost 200 episodes later, we have reached hundreds of thousands of listeners and shared insights and takeaways for teachers across the world.
We worked hard to help close the gap in child development and support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). By investing in the development of inclusive and hands-on resources to support different needs – including sensory ‘Glow’ products and Language and Communication support – we met the needs of various learning abilities. Our work was recognised in the education sector and we were named as Winner of the Award for Product Design at the Innovation Excellence Awards 2022.
Celebrating 40 years but looking ahead (2025)
Now in our 40th year, we remain a trusted partner to educators worldwide. With thousands of resources on offer – including over 3,500 developed by TTS – and a presence in more than 100 countries, we continue to evolve to an ever-changing educational landscape.
Looking ahead, we are excited for what the future holds. We remain committed to creating tools that inspire imagination, foster curiosity, and build the skills today’s children need for tomorrow’s world. Most of all, we continue to be driven by our aim to give every child, every day, a reason to love learning.
