We recently welcomed distributor and education partners from across the globe to Nottinghamshire for an inspiring two-day VIP event. The event was even more special, as it coincided with our 40th anniversary, which provided a great opportunity to reflect on the journey we have been on, as well as provide inspiration for the future.
The schedule combined thought-provoking talks, hands-on experiences, and plenty of opportunities to share ideas and strengthen relationships – all with the aim of advancing education and improving outcomes for young learners.
An Evening of Discovery at Sherwood Observatory
The event began on Tuesday evening with an exclusive screening of CAPCOM GO! The Apollo Story, which celebrated the achievements of NASA’s Apollo programme and the incredible innovation that made the first Moon landing possible over 50 years ago.
Following the screening, Jo Hardy, Director of Innovation at TTS, introduced the brand-new Learning Through Light book, our own-produced resource designed to explore how light can inspire awe and wonder in children’s learning. Our guests then enjoyed food, drinks, and lively discussions at Sherwood Observatory, setting the tone for two days of collaboration and inspiration.
A Day of Learning at Harrier Park
On Wednesday morning, over 50 distributor partners and special guests joined us at our Harrier Park headquarters for a packed day of training, workshops, and insights.
The programme began with a fascinating keynote from Dr Gemma Goldenberg (Researcher, Writer and Consultant), who explored the Neuroscience of Learning Through Light. This was followed by a practical session led by Adam Marycz, Early Years Education Consultant at TTS, who demonstrated the power of Immersive Light Rooms, brought to life with a bespoke Dark Den created on-site by the TTS team.
Later in the morning, Gemma Koch, our Head of Innovation, EdTech and Curriculum, gave an engaging talk on the STEAM approach to Programming, which seamlessly led into a hands-on Loti-Bot workshop delivered by our long-standing partner Martin Bailey, Director at Animate to Educate. Guests had the opportunity to experiment with Loti-Bot and see first-hand how the programming resource can be used to support STEAM-focused learning in the classroom.
After lunch, the focus turned to creating inclusive and supportive learning environments. Carol Allen, an internationally recognised Education and Inclusion Adviser, delivered a workshop on building Inclusive Environments, offering practical insights for a global audience.
This was followed by Annamarie Hassell MBE, CEO of nasen, who spoke on Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs. Annamarie also highlighted the new two-year partnership between TTS and nasen, a collaboration designed to further enhance the support available to educators working with children with SEND.
To close the afternoon sessions, Adam Marycz returned alongside Luke Milner, Training Manager at TTS, to deliver an engaging Training Introduction and Interactive Quiz. The day concluded with a talk from Rebecca Harrington, Global Director of Sales at TTS, who emphasised the importance of working together to improve the lives of young learners around the world.
A time to celebrate partnerships
In the evening, guests came together for a celebratory three-course dinner, followed by lively Taskmaster-inspired entertainment. Teams competed in a variety of challenges, encouraging collaboration, laughter, and plenty of friendly competition.
Throughout the evening, there were nods to our 40th anniversary and this was demonstrated in our own-developed resources featuring in the tasks, to the speeches from guests and wider conversations around the tables. It provided a great opportunity to look back on the past and plan for the future.
A Shared Commitment to Education
The two-day VIP event was a resounding success, combining professional learning with community building and showcasing TTS’ commitment to innovation and partnership.
Reflecting on the event, Ian Mackinnon, CEO of TTS, commented:
“It was a privilege to bring our global partners together for two days of learning, inspiration and collaboration. Our mission is to give every child, every day, a reason to love learning, and we feel that our values have been shared by everybody we have spoken to at our VIP event.
“We look forward to working even more closely with our distributor and education partners and ensuring our resources are supporting children in their educational journeys.”
