Elin de Zoete
TEP is the country’s leading tool for measuring pupil, employee and stakeholder engagement in schools, to drive evidence-informed school improvement.
Project
TEP
URL
Year founded
2023
Business stage
Seed
High-growth sectors
Digital and Technologies
Sector
Robotics & AI
Location
Yorkshire and The Humber
Funding
Highly Commended Applicant
The problem and opportunity
In a school system with persistent disadvantage gaps and attendance struggling to recover post-Covid, our landmark research has demonstrated that engagement data can act as a powerful lead indicator for schools, enabling leaders to intervene before disengagement leads to falling outcomes. TEP brings together research-led question sets, a drillable platform, reliable insights, and leadership support to drive real change in schools.
The solution and innovation
TEP collects data in schools across the country in census-like windows, enabling consistent data capture at scale to produce granular, dynamic benchmarks for partners. We have created the largest engagement dataset in the country, with more than a third of a million pupils participating in TEP every term. Schools see their engagement scores broken down into Advocates, Passives and Challengers, enabling leaders to pinpoint where intervention is most required.
Market and ambition
TEP is growing rapidly across the English school system and will shortly be in 1,000 schools. Our research influenced the DfE’s Education White Paper, which stipulated that all schools should be measuring engagement by 2029. We aim to be the partner of choice for schools as they implement Government guidelines, while building momentum internationally in the UAE and Australia.
Founder perspective
Elin co-founded the business alongside partners Chris and Jonny. Together, with a team of all-women Directors, they are growing TEP to serve the UK education system, giving schools evidence-informed insights to drive school improvement. Elin is committed to ensuring that TEP helps schools to close gaps, reduce absence and retain the best teachers.
Women in Innovation Award
Highly commended applicant of the Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award 2025/26, receiving funding, tailored business support, and access to specialist training and networks. View all winners and highly commended applicants from the Women in Innovation cohort 2025/2026.