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What if the most important people in your school or college never set foot in a classroom?In this milestone 350th episode of the Edufuturists podcast, we sit down with Chris Loveday for a conversation years in the making - one that reframes who really drives an education organisation.Chris Loveday is Deputy Principal for Digital, Data and Funding at City of Portsmouth College, and the author of Operational Intelligence: The Power of Digital, Data and AI. His route into education leadership is anything but conventional - from leisure assistant on a school site, to running a 5,000-capacity music festival, to senior leadership in schools, sixth form and FE. That breadth is exactly what makes his thinking on systems, data and AI so distinctive.We cover:- Why "co-professionals" - the people who support learning beyond the classroom - are often the unsung backbone of education- The real value and untapped potential of Further Education in the UK- Why schools and colleges are "data rich but insight poor" and how to fix it- Using live data and AI to spot at-risk learners early and actually measure whether interventions work- Moving from "can we?" to "should we?" - guardrails, ethics and red-teaming AI in education- Building one of the UK's first student digital assistants - safely, at scale, for 5,000 students- Practical first steps: auditing legacy systems, writing a digital strategy, and getting an AI policy in place- Freeing humans up to be human by automating the mundaneWhether you're a teacher, school or college leader, EdTech professional, or someone working in operations, IT, data or finance, this episode will change how you think about the systems that hold education together and the people who run them.Chapters00:00 Highlights01:49 Welcome to Episode 35002:57 Meet Chris Loveday: an unconventional journey into education06:30 What is FE — and why it matters more than people realise11:29 Running a 5,000-capacity music festival13:23 Challenging convention and the power of rebel ideas16:28 Why he wrote Operational Intelligence — and why now18:44 Data rich, insight poor: the problem with education data23:30 Data with context: the story behind the numbers25:10 AI, natural language and at-risk early warning systems28:19 IT as a service: ego, vision and working in tandem38:25 From "can we?" to "should we?": ethics and guardrails42:14 Building one of the UK's first student digital assistants45:10 Solving the workforce crisis: freeing humans to be human49:55 Practical first steps you can take tomorrow53:07 Quickfire questionsThanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.
Ben & Steve xFind out more about ChrisGet a copy of his latest book, Operational IntelligenceCheck out all about EdufuturistsWant to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?Get in touchGrab your copy of the new Pick 'n' Mix Education book
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In this episode of the Edufuturists podcast, Ben and Steve sit down with Shahneila Saeed for an extended version of a conversation that began at the Brilliant Festival. They dig into why play-based learning is rigorous pedagogy, how computing can be taught without a single computer, and what the games industry can teach the classroom about preparing young people for the world as it actually is.
Shahneila Saeed is Head of Education at Ukie, the trade association for the UK's video games industry, and the founder and director of the Digital Schoolhouse programme. A former IT and computing teacher, she is also the author of How to Raise a Tech Genius.
We cover:
Why play is serious pedagogy, not a break from real learningHow "Just Dance with the Algorithm" teaches programming concepts through danceTeaching in-game AI with nothing more than a playground and some beach ballsThe classroom with no computers that reshaped Shahneila's entire approachMotivation, failure, and the problem with the GCSE "finish line"Whether schools are really preparing children for the jobs that exist right nowWhat industry actually says about the skills graduates are missingGame IP in the classroom, and how to use it without losing the pedagogyDigital Schoolhouse as a bridge between the games industry and educationHow parents can support computing and tech learning at home, including free resourcesWhether you're a teacher, school leader, edtech professional, or a parent trying to make sense of your child's screen time, this conversation will change how you think about play, computing, and the gap between school and the real world. Expect practical, low-cost ideas you can use on Monday morning, free resources you can access today, and a sharp case for why engagement has to come before assessment.
Chapters:
00:00 Highlights
02:01 Welcome and the new Edufuturists book
03:42 From IT teacher to Ukie and Digital Schoolhouse
06:02 The classroom with no computers
10:36 Why play is serious pedagogy
12:56 Just Dance with the Algorithm
15:13 Teaching game AI with a game of dodgeball
16:24 Motivation, failure and the GCSE "finish line"
24:01 Computational thinking at home
27:44 Are we preparing kids for jobs that exist now?
28:34 What industry really says about graduate skills
32:08 What is Game IP and why it works in the classroom
36:14 Digital Schoolhouse as a bridge to industry
41:10 Parents, tech and the home conversation
46:14 Quick-fire questions
Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.
Ben & Steve x
Book a Digital Schoolhouse workshop
Digital Schoolhouse free computing resources
Digital Schoolhouse Playful Computing Conference
Check out all about EdufuturistsWant to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?Get in touchGrab your copy of the new Pick 'n' Mix Education book
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In this episode, Ben and Steve sit down with Professor Sara de Freitas for an extended conversation following their meeting at the Brilliant Festival in Liverpool. It's a wide-ranging discussion about immersive learning, the bloated curriculum, serious games, assessment reform, and why the UK's response to AI in education has been so fractured.Sara is one of the few people to have led at every level of education. She's an international researcher in digital technologies who set up three research labs, including the Serious Games Institute at Coventry University. She's served as Deputy Vice Chancellor in both Australia and the UK, ran the largest school in the UK during lockdown (including a separate provision for excluded children), and is currently a governor at the University of Sunderland. In June 2024 she founded Waypoint, building immersive, co-designed classroom tools with teachers and partners including the UK Space Agency.We cover:- Why universities pivoted seamlessly during COVID while primary schools struggled, and what that reveals about infrastructure and mindset- The "bloated curriculum" problem: too much content, not enough time for skills, creativity, and group work- Serious games and game-based learning, from Sara's 2010 study to today's evidence base- Why data alone never changes minds, and the hearts-and-minds work every transformation needs- The false binary of rigour versus fun, and why good teachers refuse to choose- The generational split that made boards, not teachers, the real blockers to innovation- Why the UK's AI in education response is so inconsistent, and the strange logic of "students can use AI but teachers can't"- Sara's blended pedagogic model (learn, explore, apply, reflect) and the case for cutting curriculum by a third- Connecting primary, secondary, FE, and HE on one safe, shared backbone- Three quick-fire questions to close, including what would change if schools were judged like restaurantsWhy listen? If you're a teacher, school leader, or anyone working in EdTech and wondering how to move past the AI panic and the curriculum overload toward something genuinely better, this conversation offers both the research and the realism. Sara has lived every side of this debate, and she makes the case that meaningful change comes not from one giant leap but from everyone taking one small step forward.Chapters00:00 00:00 Highlights01:25 Intro and World Cup sticker chaos03:42 Meet Professor Sara de Freitas04:12 A career across schools, universities, and two continents08:34 The sea change in emerging technology09:33 COVID, resilience, and the primary school infrastructure gap14:00 The bloated curriculum and the case for a research council16:04 Has university really changed?23:18 Serious games: the research journey25:39 The 2010 study and why evidence isn't enough27:56 The generational split and boards as blockers31:12 Rigour versus fun: a false dichotomy35:13 Hearts, minds, and play-based learning37:09 Why the UK's AI response is so fractured39:00 Blended learning done properly40:43 The optimal blend and rethinking assessment42:57 AI in education and the shutters coming down45:46 Quick-fire questions50:28 Wrap-upThanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xRead the Research Report that Sara mentioned here
Order her latest book - Education in Computer Generated Environments (foreword by Sir Anthony Seldon) at Routledge or AmazonCheck out all about EdufuturistsWant to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?Get in touch:Get your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026Grab your copy of the new Pick 'n' Mix Education book
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In this episode of the Edufuturists podcast, it's just Ben and Steve in the studio for The Big Review Part 15, looking back over seven recent conversations and pulling out the threads that connect them. From leadership and wellbeing to AI, integrity and creativity, this is a fast tour through the ideas that defined the last review period, with plenty of prompts to send you back to the full episodes.Ben Whitaker and Steve Hope co-host the Edufuturists podcast and are the authors of the new book Pick 'n' Mix Education (Crown House Publishing). In this review they revisit conversations with headteacher and Calm Leadership author Patrick Cozier, Manhattan University dean and engineering researcher Kathryn Jablokow, SchoolAI's Rob Wessman, teacher wellbeing coach Charlie Burley, Apps for Good's Natalie Moore, Turnitin Chief Product Officer Annie Chechitelli, and creativity explorer and Book of Ideas author Fredrik Haren.We cover:- Why leadership is a human act first, and how Patrick Cozier's calm framework has sustained his longevity in headship- How AI can become a genuine team member rather than a replacement, and what it means to help AI think more like a human- The case that AI upskills rather than de-skills learners, including research on a reported boost in higher order reasoning- Why staff wellbeing is about intention, not a pizza on a Friday, and the role of sleep, food and balance- How young people can be empowered to create with technology for good, not just consume it- The shift in academic integrity from AI detection towards clarity, and why a human has to stay in the loop- Whether schools really kill creativity, and what curiosity, culture and context have to do with itWhy you should listenIf you lead a school, work in edtech, teach, or care about where education is heading, this review gives you seven big conversations distilled into one. It is a chance to spot the patterns, decide which full episodes are worth your time, and rethink some of the assumptions about AI, wellbeing and creativity that get repeated without question.Chapters00:00 Welcome and why we do review episodes01:24 Ep 340: Patrick Cozier on calm, human leadership04:19 Ep 341: Kathryn Jablokow on helping AI think like a human08:35 Ep 342: Rob Wessman on AI upskilling, not de-skilling14:00 Ep 343: Charlie Burley on why wellbeing isn't pizza22:38 Ep 344: Natalie Moore on doing good with technology29:00 Ep 345: Annie Chechitelli on integrity beyond AI detection34:43 Ep 346: Fredrik Haren on creativity, curiosity and culture38:40 Uprising 2026, the new book and what's nextThanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xWant to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?Get in touchGet your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026Grab a copy of the brand new Pick 'n' Mix Education book
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In this episode, Steve and Ben sit down with Fredrik Haren - the Creativity Explorer - for a conversation that's been months in the making. It's a wide-ranging, thought-provoking dive into what creativity really is, where it comes from, and why our assumptions about it might be completely wrong.Fredrik Haren has spent 25 years studying human creativity across the globe, visiting 15 to 35 countries a year, from North Korea to Silicon Valley, interviewing thousands of people across cultures, industries, and disciplines. He's the author of The Idea Book (250,000+ copies sold) and The World of Creativity, and defines himself not as an expert, but as an explorer.In this episode we cover:- Why Fredrik says schools don't kill creativity, parents do (and what that actually means)- The Icelandic word for "curious" that will change how you think about learning- What North Korea taught Fredrik about collective creativity and why "one + one = big one"- The hidden etymology of curiosity, creativity, and education and why words matter- The Montessori mindset shift that every teacher and parent needs to hear- Why ego is the enemy of your best ideas and how divine ideas work- The Japanese concept Kaitakusha (培拓者): cultivating the future, not just pioneering it- Fredrik's mother's single greatest piece of advice for raising creative children-Why "lifelong learning" has lost its meaning and what to say insteadWhy you should listenWhether you're a classroom teacher, school leader, EdTech professional, or parent, this episode challenges the narratives we've inherited about creativity, curiosity, and the purpose of education. Fredrik brings global perspective, etymology deep-dives, and genuinely surprising ideas that will make you rethink how you support learners and yourself.Chapters00:00 - Introduction & what's been happening this week02:07 - Meet Fredrik Haren: The Creativity Explorer04:45 - Do schools kill creativity? Fredrik pushes back on Sir Ken Robinson09:43 - The Icelandic word for curious: forvitten (that which comes before knowledge)11:43 - Creativity across cultures: Iceland, Bulgaria, North Korea and beyond16:00 - Collective creativity: why "one + one = big one"22:00 - The Idea Book: how Fredrik sold 250,000 copies by selling stationery28:35 - How the world improves when people reach their creative potential33:45 - The difference between an expert and an explorer36:21 - Ego, divine ideas, and the etymology of creativity41:02 - "Never give the answer" - the best parenting advice Fredrik ever received45:31 - Kaitakusha: the Japanese concept of cultivating the future47:50 - Quickfire Questions🔗 Find Fredrik Haren: search "Fredrik Haren" or "The Creativity Explorer"📖 The Idea Book & The World of Creativity — available now Check out all about EdufuturistsWant to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?Get in touchGet your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026
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In this episode, we sit down with Annie Chechitelli, Chief Product Officer at Turnitin, to unpack one of education's most urgent tensions: how do you preserve genuine learning in an age where AI can write a passable essay in seconds? We go beyond the detector-versus-cheater framing to ask what assessment, academic integrity, and the role of the teacher actually need to look like now.
Annie Chechitelli is Chief Product Officer at Turnitin and has spent over 25 years in education technology - from building live online classrooms before Zoom existed, through roles at Blackboard and Amazon, to leading product at Turnitin for the past four years. She's one of the few people who has watched AI go from a quiet API curiosity to a classroom crisis in real time.
We cover:
- Why Turnitin shifted from detecting cheating to giving educators clarity on how students use AI
- The move from summative to formative assessment and what it demands of teachers
- How oral assessments, AI simulations, and peer feedback could replace the traditional essay
- What it means that 13% of papers submitted globally contain 80% or more AI-generated content
- Why Nature Magazine just retracted a major study claiming AI is good for learning
- The cognitive shortcut question: what parts of thinking can students safely offload to AI, and what can they not?
- Whether "AI literacy" is a meaningful term or just marketing language
- Why institutional policy decisions keep going wrong when educators aren't in the room
If you're a teacher trying to figure out where AI fits in your classroom, a leader shaping institutional policy, or someone who wants an honest conversation about what AI is actually doing to learning, this episode cuts through the noise. Annie doesn't arrive with neat answers. She brings the data, the hard questions, and a genuine commitment to getting this right for students.
Chapters
00:00 Introductions
02:04 Meet Annie Chechitelli, CPO of Turnitin
03:29 25 years in EdTech from Wimba to Amazon to Turnitin
07:04 Why Annie bet on education technology in 1999
09:31 What is Turnitin? A plain-language explainer
14:24 Essay mills, contract cheating, and the misconduct economy
17:12 AI and the shortcut to thinking
23:55 Who does Turnitin design for: teachers, students, or admins?
27:05 How assessment needs to change in the AI era
31:21 Oral defence, AI simulations, and peer feedback at scale
36:50 Why the UK is doubling down on exams
39:23 From AI detection to Turnitin Clarity
44:25 Who decides what counts as misconduct?
48:31 The research gap nobody is filling
52:34 Nature Magazine retracts its AI learning study
54:40 Is "AI literacy" a real term?
58:35 Quick-fire questions
Find out more about Turnitin Clarity
Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.
Ben & Steve x
Championing those who are making the future of education a reality.
Check out all about Edufuturists
Get your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026
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Are we teaching young people to consume technology - or to change the world with it?In this episode, Ben and Steve sit down with Natalie Moore, CEO of Apps for Good, to explore what it really means to put young people in the driving seat of their own learning - and their own futures.
From a council estate in East London to the London 2012 Olympics, and now leading one of the UK's most impactful edtech charities, Natalie brings a grounded, honest perspective on what education could look like when we trust young people to solve the problems that matter to them.Natalie is CEO of Apps for Good, a UK education technology charity that helps young people tackle real-world problems and build meaningful tech solutions.
With 13 years at the organisation - and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Organising Committee on her CV - she brings rare insight into impact-driven education, digital skills, and what it genuinely means to do good.
In this episode we cover:
- Why Apps for Good was born out of work tackling digital exclusion in Brazilian favelas and what that means for UK classrooms today
- How AI is reshaping the Apps for Good curriculum, including a new "vibe coding" pathway and what responsible AI literacy looks like for young people
- The philosophy behind "apps for good" - why agency, purpose, and real-world relevance are more powerful than any curriculum mandate
- How project-based learning engages the students most likely to be switched off, including girls in STEM and young people from underrepresented backgrounds
- The annual Apps for Good Showcase - a Dragon's Den-style pitch event reviewed by volunteers from Google, Spotify, Sony and more
- Real impact stories: from a cattle management app built by Scottish farming kids to alumni now working at the Lego Group and Sony\
If you work in education, edtech, or youth development and you're wondering how to make technology genuinely meaningful - not just functional - for young people, this episode is essential. Natalie cuts through the AI hype to get at something deeper: what happens when young people aren't just users of technology, but creators solving problems they actually care about. Whether you're a teacher, school leader, or organisation trying to have real impact, this conversation will challenge you and inspire you in equal measure.
Chapters
00:00 – Welcome & introductions
01:44 – Natalie's background
04:58 – How Apps for Good came about and what it does
10:14 – Moving young people from consumers to creators
12:26 – Has AI changed everything or just the tools?
15:02 – Vibe coding, AI literacy, and the new curriculum pathway
17:29 – What does "for good" actually mean?
20:28 – Reaching underrepresented young people and the challenge of scale
24:40 – Agency in the classroom: do students really want to be spoon-fed?
29:03 – Critical thinking, AI bias, and why young people need both
32:58 – What is project-based learning and why does it work?
35:57 – Impact data: skills, confidence, and alumni stories
41:03 – The Apps for Good Annual Showcase
43:13 – Quickfire Questions
Voting for the People's Choice Award will open on Monday, 15th June. Have a look at their showcase here
They are building an expression of interest list for their brand new AI for Good 2.0 course, launching late Summer ahead of the 2026/27 academic year. Listeners can complete this short form to be the first to see it
If you want to learn more or connect, please visit here or reach out on email.
They are shortlisted at Edufuturists Uprising 2026 - join us in Liverpool on 25th June to celebrate them and other incredible organisations making a differenceUprising is now CPD accredited!Subscribe to the Edufuturists podcast for weekly conversations with the people reshaping education.
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What if the biggest barrier to student success isn't curriculum, funding, or leadership - it's that we're burning out the very people holding it all together?In this episode, we sit down with Charlie Burley - The Teachers' Health Coach - to get real about the burnout crisis hiding in plain sight across our schools. Charlie shares the moment his own breakdown became his calling, and why fixing teacher wellbeing can't just mean a yoga session at the next INSET day.Charlie Burley is a former primary school teacher turned health coach, author, and founder of the Building Better Balance programme. After burning out in year five of his teaching career, navigating chronic stress, anxiety, and panic attacks, he retrained as a nutritionist and mental health coach and has spent the last seven years working with individual teachers, school leaders, and multi-academy trusts to rebuild wellbeing from the ground up. His diagnostic framework, the Six C's, gives schools a clear picture of where their culture is thriving and where it's quietly crumbling.In this episode, we cover:- Why teachers are burning out - the personal, professional, and systemic factors that pile up unseen- The Six C's framework - Care, Clarity, Capacity, Competence, Connection and Contribution, and how Charlie uses them to diagnose wellbeing across a whole school- Staff before students - Charlie's (perhaps controversial) argument that putting school staff first is the only way to genuinely serve children and families- The Sunday Scaries - what's actually happening in your brain on Sunday evenings, and Charlie's practical three-step approach: Calm, Clarity, Certainty- Marginal gains for mental health - why five minutes before you walk through the school gate might matter more than any wellness programme- Coaching in education and why it's normalised in sport and business but still underused in schools, and what changes when you bring it in- The community cure - Robin Dunbar's research on loneliness, why connection is the first chapter of Charlie's new book, and why belonging might be the most underrated lever in educationIf you're a teacher running on empty, a leader wondering why your wellbeing initiatives aren't landing, or anyone who cares about what education could look like when the people inside schools are actually looked after - this one is for you. Charlie brings the lived experience, the research, and the practical tools. No toxic positivity. No empty platitudes. Just an honest conversation about what it actually takes to rewrite wellbeing in schools."If you put your staff first, they will take care of everything."Chapters:00:00 Introduction & what's been going on at Edufuturists03:00 Meet Charlie Burley: from Year 6 teacher to health coach05:30 Charlie's burnout story: self-worth, grief, and throwing himself into work10:15 Why teacher stress cascades down to students12:20 The Six C's framework: diagnosing wellbeing across a whole school18:00 Why coaching is still underused in education21:30 Crisis leadership vs. strategic wellbeing: the difference that matters24:20 Staff first: the case for putting teachers before targets29:15 Practical wellbeing: creating space in a packed day34:30 Is teaching uniquely stressful? The emotional labour debate40:55 The Sunday Scaries: anticipatory anxiety and the three C's fix47:40 Community, connection and why belonging underpins everything54:35 Quickfire Questions🔗 Find Charlie Burley:Instagram: @theteachershealthcoachWebsite: The Teachers Health CoachBook: Healthy Habits for Teacher Life
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What if the real risk of AI in schools isn't that it cheats - it's that it quietly switches off the parts of our brains we need most?
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Rob Wessman, VP of Ethics and Safety at School AI, to dig into one of the most important questions in education right now: are we building AI tools that develop young people, or tools that do the developing for them?
With a background as a high school English teacher, school administrator, and Harvard EdLD graduate, Rob brings a genuinely human lens to the world of edtech and a compelling case for why getting this right matters more than getting it fast.
We cover:
- The MIT study that showed students struggling to think for themselves after outsourcing their essays to AI
- Why School AI's research shows a 28% boost in higher-order reasoning - and how design makes the difference
- The deskilling risk hiding in plain sight (and what endoscopy doctors can teach us about it)
- Why banning AI in schools may be more dangerous than letting students use it unsupervised
- The "agency with guardrails" challenge: how do you build tools that protect without limiting?
- What Singapore's education ministry gets right — and why we should be paying attention
- Why School AI removed their cute avatar and what it says about human-AI honesty
Whether you're a school leader trying to make sense of AI policy, an educator worried about what students are losing, or just someone who wants the tech to actually serve learning, we think you'll like this one!
Chapters
0:00 Introductions
02:35 Rob Wessman's Background in Education
05:16 Rob's Role at School AI and Its Mission
08:45 Designing AI to Promote Critical Thinking
12:05 Safety Guardrails and Ethical Use of AI
14:03 MIT Study on De-skilling and AI Risks
17:00 Boosting Higher-Order Reasoning with AI
20:27 Supporting Teachers and Human Connection
24:09 Legislation and Societal Concerns about AI
28:15 Educating About AI and Its Risks
32:47 Future Directions and Responsible AI Design
40:37 What Remains Human in Education?
43:31 Closing Remarks
Read the research around SchoolAI and Critical Thinking
Find out more about SchoolAI
Check out all things Edufuturists
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What if AI could think more like a human - and what would that mean for education, teams, and leadership?In this episode, Ben and Steve sit down with Kathryn Jablokow, Dean of Engineering at Manhattan University, to explore one of the most fascinating ideas in AI right now: cognitive diversity. With 34 years in engineering education and groundbreaking research into how AI agents can mimic different thinking styles, Kathryn brings a perspective you won't hear anywhere else.We cover:- Why AI struggles to find what you actually want- Adaption-Innovation Theory and what it means for AI development- Using AI as a genuine team member not just a productivity tool- What engineering education needs to look like post-ChatGPT- Why understanding how your team thinks is the real unlock for AI- The problem with how schools teach teamwork (and why exams are part of the problem)Whether you're a school leader, educator, or just someone trying to make sense of where AI is heading - this one's for you.Chapters00:00 Introductions01:21 Kathryn Jablokow's Journey in Engineering Education06:38 Transforming Engineering Education at Manhattan University13:04 AI's Role in Education and Engineering20:06 Integrating AI as a Team Member24:09 The Future of AI in Education30:42 Navigating Disagreement in AI Development32:15 The Human Element in AI Interaction34:11 Cultural Perspectives on AI and Robotics36:33 Data Privacy and Environmental Concerns38:32 Job Displacement and Creation in the Age of AI43:28 Preparing Future Generations for an Evolving Job Market47:26 Mental Well-Being and Critical Thinking in EducationCheck out all about Edufuturists
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This podcast episode is a brilliant conversation with Patrick Cozier, who shares his extensive experience in education leadership. The conversation goes into the challenges of decision-making, managing external pressures, leading with humanity, and the impact of paranoia in leadership.We also dig into the importance of consultation and feedback in decision-making, the CALM framework, authentic leadership, the journey and maturity of leaders, Patrick's role on the roundtable, and involvement with Show Racism the Red Card. The themes emphasise the significance of collaboration, internal and external calm, authenticity, reflection, influence, and anti-racism work in leadership and education.Takeaways- Leadership requires resilience and the ability to manage external pressures effectively.- Leading with humanity involves recognising the human side of leadership and building trust through honest and real interactions.- Paranoia in leadership can be challenging, and leaders must learn to cope with the varying opinions and perceptions of others. Consultation and collaboration are crucial in decision-making- Calm leadership involves maintaining focus, awareness, and authenticityChapters00:00 Introductions06:30 Managing External Pressures13:37 Leading with Humanity20:42 Paranoia in Leadership29:29 Consultation and Decision-Making34:35 The CALM Framework44:17 Journey and Maturity51:02 Show Racism and Red CardGrab a copy of Patrick's book
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In this episode of the podcast, we reflect on another rich run of recent conversations from across the series in Review #14.We revisit key ideas from episodes featuring Nici Foote, Rita Bateson, Iain MacRitchie, Dr Emily Musil, Dr Robin Harwick, Danielle Finlay, and a wide range of voices captured at BETT.
Across the discussion, a number of themes begin to emerge clearly: the value of messy learning, the growing importance of AI literacy, the need to focus on meaningful uses of technology rather than superficial adoption, and the enduring importance of human connection in education.
The conversation also explores democratic schooling, pedagogy, lifelong learning, inclusion, mentorship, and the challenge of creating more time and space for curiosity, compassion, and deeper thinking in schools and colleges.As ever, this review episode is a chance to step back, spot the patterns, and reflect on what these conversations might be telling us about the future of education.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:20 Nici Foote and Messy Learning
04:45 Rita Bateson and AI Literacy
07:55 Iain MacRitchie and Human Intelligence
12:50 BETT Reflections and Meaningful AI
17:45 Dr Emily Musil and Lifelong Learning
20:10 Dr Robin Harwick and Democratic Schooling
23:20 Danielle Finlay and Pedagogy
26:35 Final Reflections
Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xChampioning those who are making the future of education a reality.Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work? Get in touch Get your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026
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In this episode of the Edufuturists podcast, we are joined by Danielle Finlay, former headteacher, senior leader and now Head of Operations, Client Delivery and Change Management at Progress Teaching. Danielle reflects on her journey through education leadership, her deep commitment to pedagogy, and the difficult decision to step away from headship in order to prioritise family life without stepping away from her impact on the sector.
The conversation explores the relationship between pedagogy, leadership, behaviour, feedback and data, with Danielle making the case that better teaching starts with better insight rather than more judgement. We discuss why pedagogy remains the beating heart of great schools, why relationships matter more than compliance, and how leaders can use data intelligently without becoming overwhelmed by numbers that tell them very little.
Danielle also shares thoughtful reflections on Ofsted, trust accountability and the difference between feedback as insight and feedback as judgement. It is a rich conversation about courage, clarity and the importance of building school cultures where challenge is humane, evidence-informed and rooted in genuine care for both staff and students.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction And Welcome
03:17 Danielle Finlay’s Background And Journey Through Education Leadership
06:38 Moving From School Leadership Into The Commercial Sector
12:25 Choosing Family, Leadership And A Different Kind Of Impact
15:09 Why Pedagogy Still Matters Most
19:15 Challenge, Change-Makers And The Limits Of Compliance
21:12 Behaviour, Relationships And Partnership In Schools
24:51 Why Culture Starts With Care And Clarity
29:09 Radical Candour, Feedback And Leadership Judgment
33:23 Ofsted, Accountability And The Problem With Snapshot Judgments
38:16 Trust, Support And What School Improvement Should Really Look Like
43:15 Why Data-Rich Schools Make Better Decisions
48:06 Data-Rich Versus Data-Heavy Thinking
52:08 Lessons In Leadership, Courage And Conviction
55:45 Quickfire Questions
Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xChampioning those who are making the future of education a reality.Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work? Get in touchGet your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026
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In this episode of the Edufuturists podcast, we are joined by Dr Robin Harwick, educator, research scientist and founder of the Pearl Remote Democratic High School in central Mexico. Robin shares her journey into education, her frustration with the long gap between research and classroom practice, and why she felt compelled to build a school that puts democracy, inclusion and student agency at its core.
The conversation explores what it really means to create a democratic school, from co-creating curriculum with students to building classrooms where voice, choice and critical thinking are non-negotiable. Robin argues that too much of mainstream education is still built around control, compliance and conformity, rather than helping young people become informed, engaged and competent citizens.
We also discuss why student voice is so often reduced to tokenism, how schools can move beyond rigid planning, and why educators need to relearn how to listen. The episode is a powerful challenge to inherited assumptions about schooling and a reminder that if education is meant to prepare young people for democracy, it cannot continue to be run like an authoritarian system.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction And Welcome
01:24 Robin Harwick’s Background And Route Into Education
05:16 Introducing The Pearl Remote Democratic High School
05:43 The Origins Of The Pearl And Art Pearl’s Influence
07:53 Democracy, Inclusion And Informed Citizenship
08:39 Why This Work Matters In The World Today
11:37 Civic Participation, Responsibility And Student Voice
15:25 What A Democratic School Looks Like In Practice
17:41 Co-Creating Curriculum And Following Student Curiosity
22:03 Relearning How To Teach In A Democratic Model
25:17 Supporting Teachers To Let Go Of Control
29:31 Why Most Schools Still Prioritise Compliance
31:44 Moving Beyond Tokenistic Student Voice
37:20 Autism, Masking And Resisting Unjust Systems
39:21 Quickfire Questions
Find out more about the Pearl Remote Democratic High School Robin also references The Democratic Classroom
Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xChampioning those who are making the future of education a reality.Follow us on XFollow us on LinkedInCheck out all about EdufuturistsWant to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?Get in touchGet your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026 at: edufuturists.com/uprising26
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In this episode of the Edufuturists podcast, we are joined by Dr Emily Musil from the Milken Institute to explore how education, philanthropy and technological change are colliding in powerful ways. Emily shares her journey through higher education, EdTech and global learning projects, before unpacking her current work helping philanthropists and institutions invest in the future of education.The conversation explores why AI literacy and computational thinking now need to be seen as part of the core learning experience, not as optional extras or specialist subjects. We discuss the growing pressure on higher education to rethink old models, the importance of lifelong learning, and the role of philanthropy in funding experimentation, innovation and system change.Emily also reflects on the balance between high tech and human-centred learning, arguing that the future of education should combine personalised digital support with collaboration, empathy and real-world problem solving. It is a conversation about imagination, urgency and the need to build learning systems that are more flexible, more equitable and more fit for the world ahead.Chapters00:00 Introduction02:15 Emily Musil’s background in Education and EdTech05:09 The Milken Institute and Strategic pPhilanthropy07:33 Global Trends, Regional Priorities and Systems Thinking10:11 AI Disruption and the Need for Future-focused Thinking14:51 Why AI Literacy Must Become a Core Skill16:01 Personalised Learning and What Schools Can Do Differently19:26 Higher Education, Business Models and Resistance to Change24:15 New University Models and Experimental Approaches26:46 Lifelong Learning and Education as a Continuum30:08 How Philanthropy can Catalyse Change in Education35:47 Computational Thinking, AI+ and Human-Centred Learning40:11 Competition, Global Opportunity and Prize-based Innovation45:22 Quickfire QuestionsFind out more about Emily here
Download the Milken Institute's latest AI Report
Hear about Milken's latest partnershop with Drew University
Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xChampioning those who are making the future of education a reality.Follow us on X: https://www.twitter.com/edufuturistsFollow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/edufuturists/Join the WhatsApp Community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/IWXj4PvbvvI5frLGVUj6ih?mode=ems_copy_h_cCheck out all about Edufuturists at https://www.edufuturists.comWant to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?Get in touch: [email protected] your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026 at: edufuturists.com/uprising26
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In this episode of the podcast, we have mashed together all of our interviews from Bett 2026. We aren't going to lie...putting this together has been a nightmare and we almost didn't put it out. We lost footage, some of the audio tracks haven't transcribed and it's not really our best work.But, we thought it's important we don't always have to be polished AND the audio content here with some incredible folks is just magical. Let's focus on that eh?! Don't judge; be kind!Chapters 00:00 Andrew Sliwinski, Lego14:21 Gavan Vetesse-Wilson, Salamander Soft31:38 John Roberts, Oak National Academy41:07 Taryn Sullivan, Google01:16:38 Mark Hadley, Blackout Technologies01:19:58 Simon Blower, Pobble01:24:41 Jon Neale, Kahoot01:39:14 Polly Morgan, IDEA.org01:49:40 James Weatherill, Arbor01:58:49 Aanya Niaz, AWS02:14:45 Alison Clark-Wilson, UCL02:27:00 Bett Awards02:33:40 Christian Turton02:36:53 Louisa & Yash, BeyondThanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xChampioning those who are making the future of education a reality.Follow us on XFollow us on LinkedInCheck out all about EdufuturistsWant to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?Get in touch
Get your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026
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In this episode of the podcast, we get into a deep conversation with Dr. Iain MacRitchie about the transformative power of mentoring in education. We discuss the importance of building relationships, the role of failure in learning, and the need for a supportive education system that prioritises human connection. Iain shares his journey from business to social impact, emphasising the significance of trusted adults in the lives of young people. The conversation also explores the integration of technology in mentoring and the potential for community support systems to enhance educational outcomes. Ultimately, the episode highlights the necessity of hope and the collective effort required to uplift young individuals in their educational journeys.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Community Engagement03:02 Dr. Iain MacRitchie's Journey06:16 Bridging Business and Education08:52 The Importance of Mentoring12:04 Learning from Failure14:45 The Role of Relationships in Education17:44 Building a Trusted Adult Model20:34 Transformational Outcomes for Young People23:25 The Framework of MCR Mentoring26:26 Creating a Village for Support29:05 Scaling the Impact of Mentoring30:06 The Power of Mentorship and Community Engagement31:26 Innovative Approaches to Mentoring with Technology33:43 Balancing AI and Human Intelligence in Education35:49 Creating Safe Spaces for Young People37:56 Addressing the Impact of Social Media on Youth42:48 Revitalising Community Spaces for Learning49:20 Sustainability in Mentoring ProgrammesFind out more about MCR Pathways and Keytu
And if you're quick, sign up for a webinar with Ben & Iain on 10th March:
Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xChampioning those who are making the future of education a reality.Follow us on XFollow us on LinkedInCheck out all about EdufuturistsWant to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?Get in touchGet your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026
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In this episode of the podcast, we chat with our friend from over the short pond in Ireland, Rita Bateson, an expert in AI and education and founder of Eblana Learning. We explore Rita's journey in the educational landscape, the impact of AI on teaching and learning, and the importance of balancing AI literacy with human-centred approaches.
The conversation delves into the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, the need for critical thinking, and the evolving purpose of education in a rapidly changing world. Rita shares insights from her work at Eblana Learning and emphasises the importance of thoughtful implementation of AI in schools, advocating for a future where education is enriched by technology without losing its human touch.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Context Setting
01:06 Rita's Journey in Education
05:16 The Impact of AI on Education
09:14 Navigating Educational Trends and Data
13:43 The Role of AI in Teaching and Learning
17:51 Eblana Learning's Mission and Vision
20:59 Balancing AI Literacy and Human-Centred Learning
24:35 Critical Thinking and AI in Education
28:30 Conflict Resolution and Learning
30:25 Agentic AI: Future Implications
34:50 Rethinking Education's Purpose
41:03 Final Thoughts and Reflections
Find out more about Eblana
Check out the Sustainable AI Course Rita mentioned
Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve x
Championing those who are making the future of education a reality.
Follow us on X
Follow us on LinkedIn
Check out all about Edufuturists
Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?Get in touch
Get your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026
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In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by the brilliant Nici Foote to discuss the importance of joy in learning, the challenges faced by neurodiverse students, and the need for personalised education. Nici shares her journey in education, emphasising the significance of creating engaging and inclusive learning environments.
The conversation explores the role of play, the messiness of learning, and the impact of time constraints on effective teaching. We also dig into Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a framework for meeting diverse student needs and the importance of collaborative planning among educators.
Chapters00:00 Introductions
01:14 Nici's Journey in Education
03:50 Navigating Barriers in Education
06:36 Bringing Joy into Learning
11:13 The Importance of Messy Learning
15:06 Personalising Education for Every Student
23:12 Cultural Learning Experiences
25:34 Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Explained
30:26 The Importance of Engagement in Learning
37:05 Barriers to Implementing UDL
40:15 Rethinking Time in Education
43:11 The Myth of Limiting Abilities
Find out more about Nici's amazing work at unbarrier.me and connect with her on LinkedIn
Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve x
Championing those who are making the future of education a reality.
Follow us on X
Follow us on LinkedIn
Check out all about Edufuturists
Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?Get in touch
Get your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026
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In this special episode celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Edufuturists podcast, we reflect on a decade of conversations, insights, and growth in the field of education. We discuss the evolution of the podcast, the importance of community, and the future of learning, emphasising the need for personalised and inclusive education. The episode also reviews recent episodes, highlighting key takeaways and the ongoing journey of innovation in education. Chapters00:00 Celebrating a Decade of Edufuturists09:58 Reflections on Recent Episodes and Key Insights19:05 Exploring the Future of Education and Learning28:21 The Importance of Community and CollaborationThanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xChampioning those who are making the future of education a reality.Follow us on XFollow us on LinkedInCheck out all about Edufuturists
Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?Get in touch Get your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026
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