Sky Up wins BETT Innovation Award
Nishy Lall, Group Head of Youth & Social Impact
Sky Up wins BETT Innovation Award
On Wednesday 21st January, Sky Up Academy Studios Elstree achieved a truly extraordinary milestone. They won the BETT Innovation Award 2026 at the biggest and most influential global education event of the year, which was no small feat; they have been standing alongside giants: the BBC, Adobe, and many other world‑leading organisations.
The award is testament to the hard work, dedication and unwavering commitment that has shaped Sky Up Academy Studios Elstree into the extraordinary experience it has become. The judges captured perfectly what the team had brought to life:
“Sky Up Academy Studios Elstree represents the next generation of education innovation. The UK’s first XR powered immersive studios for young people delivers a unique blend of technology, creativity, and career inspiration. In less than a year, it has already empowered thousands of students, built teachers’ confidence, and proven its ability to raise aspirations and close the industry’s skills gap. By showing people how their ideas come to life, Elstree inspires them to think big, dream bigger, and believe that creative careers are within their grasp. For its originality, impact and measurable outcomes, Sky Up Academy Studios Elstree is a truly game‑changing initiative.”
Judges
Bett Innovation Awards 2026
This recognition reflects everything the Sky Up teams do, from the care they put into every session and the way they support one another to the way they inspire every young person who walks through the door.