EdShed is a British education technology company that creates digital learning platforms for primary schools, teachers, parents and pupils. Its guiding message is “Educate. Engage. Empower.” The company combines traditional classroom methods with technology, games, assessments and teaching resources.
EdShed is designed by educators who understand the daily needs of schools. Its main goal is to improve learning while reducing the planning burden placed on teachers. Lessons, quizzes, games, assignments and progress tools are brought together within one connected system.
The business is based in Bewdley, England, but its services reach schools and households across many countries. Its best-known products include Spelling Shed, Phonics Shed, MathShed, QuizShed, Literacy Shed and Literacy Shed Plus.
The Story Behind EdShed
EdShed was founded in 2017 by Martin Saunders and Rob Smith. The idea began with a conversation about the way spelling was taught in primary schools. Both founders believed that children needed a more enjoyable and structured method for building spelling skills.
From Spelling Shed to a Global Education Brand
Spelling Shed began as a simple learning app. It soon gained attention from teachers who wanted lessons that could combine classroom teaching with digital practice. As demand grew, the founders expanded the service and created further products. The legal company was first called The Spelling Shed Ltd. Its name changed to Education Shed Ltd in August 2019. The company remains active and operates as EdShed.
Dr Martin Saunders serves as chief executive officer. He has experience in teaching, science and technology. Rob Smith has more than ten years of primary classroom experience and created Literacy Shed. Alexander Athienitis serves as Curriculum Director, while Andrew McFaul leads technology development. Angela Corrigan supports the company’s operational leadership.
| Label | Quick Information |
|---|---|
| Company Name | EdShed |
| Legal Name | Education Shed Ltd |
| Founded | 2017 |
| Founders | Dr Martin Saunders and Rob Smith |
| Headquarters | Bewdley, England |
| Industry | Education technology |
| Website | www.edshed.com |
| Chief Executive Officer | Dr Martin Saunders |
| Main Product | Spelling Shed |
| Other Products | Phonics Shed, MathShed, QuizShed and Literacy Shed |
| Services | Lessons, quizzes, games, assessments and teaching resources |
| Target Users | Primary schools, teachers, parents and pupils |
| Global Reach | Learners across 180 countries |
EdShed Products and Learning Tools
The company has built a wide range of connected resources. Each product focuses on a key part of primary education.
Spelling Shed
Spelling Shed is the company’s leading product. It teaches spelling through phonics, word structure, meaning and word history. Pupils can complete assignments, practise custom word sets and take part in games. Teachers can use lesson slides, worksheets and assessment tools. Difficulty levels allow tasks to match each child’s ability. Classroom competitions, leagues and Hive games add a social element that can increase motivation. The Mastery Zone begins with a diagnostic activity. It then gives each pupil a set of focus words based on areas that need improvement. Difficulty increases as the child develops stronger skills.
BeeSieged and Grammar Arcade
BeeSieged is a tower-defence game in which correct spelling supports progress through the challenge. It connects with the Mastery Zone and adjusts work to the learner’s needs. Grammar Arcade provides activities that help children develop sentence, punctuation and grammar skills. These features turn practice into a structured game without removing the educational purpose.
Phonics Shed
Phonics Shed is a systematic synthetic phonics programme. It supports young children as they learn the relationship between letters and sounds. The programme includes teaching plans, actions, songs, stories, flashcards, games and decodable books. It can be used from early years through Key Stage 1 and may also support older pupils who need extra help. The programme has been validated by the Department for Education in England. This confirms that it meets the required criteria for a complete phonics programme.
MathShed and QuizShed
MathShed helps pupils build speed and accuracy in basic mathematics. It covers addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, number bonds, decimals and powers of ten. Teachers can set work and review pupil performance. QuizShed allows educators to create and play classroom quizzes. It can support lesson reviews, home learning and group activities. Free features make it accessible, while premium content offers more prepared materials.
Literacy Shed and Literacy Shed Plus
Literacy Shed provides carefully chosen films and animations that inspire reading and creative writing. Teachers can use visual stories to discuss characters, settings, emotions and themes. Literacy Shed Plus adds detailed lesson plans, comprehension work, novel studies, writing support and VIPERS reading resources. Its Platinum level includes Fluency Shed, which supports regular reading practice. Picture writing prompts are planned for autumn 2026, followed by a broader writing curriculum planned for autumn 2027.
How EdShed Supports Schools
Teachers can create classes, add pupils, assign work and study progress from one central area. The Teacher Hub includes pupil histories, competency tracking and performance details. This helps staff identify gaps and plan suitable support. Schools can import class data through CSV files or connect systems through Wonde. Clever integration supports users in the United States. QR codes and pupil usernames can make sign-in easier for younger children. The games work through web browsers, so families do not always need to purchase a separate mobile app. School trusts and districts can also manage multiple schools through shared administration features.
Global Reach and Business Growth
The company states that its products serve learners in 180 countries. Its own figures include more than two million learners, while a 2026 founder interview gave a figure of 2.5 million children per month. The same interview mentioned 170,000 teachers and more than 12,000 schools. These totals measure different forms of activity, so they should not be combined. The company has strong regional services for the United Kingdom, United States and South Africa. An Australian programme remains part of its future expansion plans.
Company Size and Financial Position
Education Shed Ltd had an average of 41 employees during the financial year ending September 2025, compared with 34 in the previous year. A later founder interview described a workforce of 46 people. The founders have said that the business remains self-funded and has not taken outside investment. The wider operation generates just under £4 million each year, according to Martin Saunders. Its 2025 UK accounts showed cash of £866,864, current assets of £2.17 million and net assets of £163,417. The accounts did not disclose turnover or annual profit because the company used small-business filing rules.
Teaching Quality and Educational Evidence
The learning programmes draw on classroom practice and accepted teaching methods. Phonics Shed’s government validation is an important sign of curriculum quality. The company also holds an ESSA Tier 4 position in the United States. This level means that the programme has a research-based rationale and a plan for evaluation. However, it does not prove that the product caused better results in a completed controlled trial.
A full independent, peer-reviewed study comparing the platform with a control group is not currently easy to find. Schools should therefore consider curriculum quality, pupil engagement, teacher experience and their own assessment results when judging its impact.
Pricing and Access
A free account provides access to core games, pupil logins, assignments and limited performance data. Premium access includes full curricula, advanced assessment tools, longer data history and extra games. UK household access to Spelling Shed has been offered at £5.83 per month or £34.16 per year. School pricing is based on pupil numbers and can fall below £2 per pupil for larger orders. Literacy Shed Plus and Phonics Shed use separate classroom, household and premium price plans. Prices can change, and large schools or districts may need a custom quotation.
Privacy and Data Protection
EdShed works with children’s data, making privacy an important responsibility. Its policy states that schools normally act as data controllers while the company acts as a processor. The service supports UK GDPR, COPPA and FERPA requirements. Children are not required to use real names, and parental consent is needed for certain household accounts. The company states that it does not sell personal data or advertise directly to children.
Its security measures include encryption, controlled access, backups, activity logs and recovery planning. The published data processing document dates from 2021, so schools should request the newest version before signing a contract.
Awards and Customer Experience
Spelling Shed won a Bett Award in 2025 for Primary Digital Learning in Language and Literacy. It also won the App category at the 2024 Teach Primary Awards. In 2026, company products became Bett finalists in literacy and early-years categories. Major app stores carry thousands of positive ratings, with Spelling Shed and Maths Shed achieving strong average scores. Some users have raised concerns about lag, navigation, touchscreen controls and scoring. This mixed feedback shows that educational value and technical experience can differ between devices and users.
Why EdShed Matters
EdShed has grown from one spelling app into a broad primary learning system. Its strengths include teacher-led design, connected products, engaging games, curriculum support and detailed classroom tools. Its awards, government phonics validation and international adoption give it a strong place within education technology. At the same time, schools should review costs, privacy documents, device performance and independent evidence before making a long-term decision.
For teachers seeking structured lessons with enjoyable digital practice, EdShed offers a practical and ambitious solution.
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