

Education On Fire - Sharing creative and inspiring learning in our schools
Mark Taylor
Do you feel the education system is sucking the life out of you and the pupils you serve? I think many of us wish we could click our fingers and make it fit for purpose. A place of growth with shared learning that empowers pupils to be their best selves, so they can create a world they want to inhabit now and in the future.
While a magic wand or a visionary politician might sound like the answer I believe change is already happening. Educators are changing futures one conversation at a time. New technology and the environments where we learn are beginning to look different both in and out of the classroom. I hope you are seeing this first hand and are excited about what you can share with your pupils. We are having conversations, sharing organisations and communities that are supporting education in a way that you may have not experienced.
Educational change will come from us all working in way that supports the best interests of each of our pupils, personalised learning. Governments and policy makers will follow when they see fully how it can be different. So let us teach, coach, mentor and create an environment that fuels every child with feedback, inspiration, resilience and empowerment. The Education on Fire community is shining the torch, so no matter where you are in the world or how you are supporting children this podcast is here for you.
‘Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.’
While a magic wand or a visionary politician might sound like the answer I believe change is already happening. Educators are changing futures one conversation at a time. New technology and the environments where we learn are beginning to look different both in and out of the classroom. I hope you are seeing this first hand and are excited about what you can share with your pupils. We are having conversations, sharing organisations and communities that are supporting education in a way that you may have not experienced.
Educational change will come from us all working in way that supports the best interests of each of our pupils, personalised learning. Governments and policy makers will follow when they see fully how it can be different. So let us teach, coach, mentor and create an environment that fuels every child with feedback, inspiration, resilience and empowerment. The Education on Fire community is shining the torch, so no matter where you are in the world or how you are supporting children this podcast is here for you.
‘Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.’
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 22, 2022 • 29min
279: All Ears English with Lindsay McMahon
Lindsay McMahon is the co-host of All Ears English. The All Ears English Podcast is downloaded 8 million times per month globally and has been ranked in Best of Apple Podcasts categories in 2018 and 2019 and as well as #1 in US Education Language Courses. Lindsay and her podcast have been featured in Podcast Magazine, Language Magazine, and Forbes.'Connection NOT Perfection™ 'Are you feeling stuck with your English? Many people study English but don’t actually learn it. Throw away your boring old textbook! You should feel inspired when you learn English. All Ears English believe the purpose of learning English is to connect with people. Don’t get stuck in perfection by focusing on your mistakes.Websitewww.allearsenglish.comSocial Media InformationInstagram: www.instagram.com/all_ears_englishFacebook: www.facebook.com/allearsenglish/Resources MentionedNotes In SpanishCoffee Break Languages PodcastsShow SponsorThe National Association for Primary Education speaks for young children and all who live and work with them. Get a FREE e-copy of their professional journal at nape.org.uk/journalMentioned in this episode:NAPE Al Kingsley Summit PromoWatch Mark Taylor interview Al Kingsley about 'Creating Digital Strategies for Schools' as part of the Primary Education Summit 2023 - Visions for the Future - presented by National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
https://www.educationonfire.com/creating-digital-strategies-for-schools/

Aug 18, 2022 • 36min
278: My Online Schooling with Rob Leitch
Rob Leitch is the Executive Headteacher of My Online Schooling, one of the leading international, online schools delivering a high quality British education to students in the UK and around the world.My Online Schooling brings British education to young people worldwide. It delivers online lessons from KS2 to A Level and is a registered online Cambridge International School.My Online Schooling was established with one simple aim: to improve the educational possibilities for young people. They recognise that pupils learn in all different ways and at different paces. That’s why they've chosen to create an alternative pathway to the traditional one-size-fits-all approach to education.Websitewww.myonlineschooling.co.ukSocial Media Information@Rob_Leitch@myonlineschShow SponsorThe National Association for Primary Education speaks for young children and all who live and work with them. Get a FREE e-copy of their professional journal at nape.org.uk/journalMentioned in this episode:NAPE Al Kingsley Summit PromoWatch Mark Taylor interview Al Kingsley about 'Creating Digital Strategies for Schools' as part of the Primary Education Summit 2023 - Visions for the Future - presented by National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
https://www.educationonfire.com/creating-digital-strategies-for-schools/

Aug 15, 2022 • 39min
277: Coach T's Corner with Antwaun Thompson
Antwaun Thompson or Coach T®, has coached and mentored young men and women, helping to improve their athletic skills, personal growth, and personal relationship skills for over 30 years. His basketball coaching covers elementary, middle, and high school, AAU, college and just completed his 10th year at a private school.Coach T®, is the founder and executive Director of JLT Fieldhouse, a 501c3 nonprofit youth coaching and mentoring organization, dedicated to “Coaching and Mentoring the Leaders of Tomorrow”. This organization is named in honor of his late father, Sgt. Maj. Joe Lewis Thompson, USMC, who adopted Antwaun and his older brother after their mom and Joe were married. The lessons learned from his father is what inspires him to continue by passing it on to the next generation of leaders.He is also the owner of Coach T’s Corner®, an online mentoring academy that is designed to “Educate, Support and Inspire” our future leaders of tomorrow and to better prepare them to take ownership of the tools for a prosperous future.Websitewww.coachtscorner.comSocial Media Informationwithkoji.com/@Coach_Ts_CornerShow SponsorThe National Association for Primary Education speaks for young children and all who live and work with them. Get a FREE e-copy of their professional journal at nape.org.uk/journalMentioned in this episode:NAPE Al Kingsley Summit PromoWatch Mark Taylor interview Al Kingsley about 'Creating Digital Strategies for Schools' as part of the Primary Education Summit 2023 - Visions for the Future - presented by National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
https://www.educationonfire.com/creating-digital-strategies-for-schools/

Aug 11, 2022 • 43min
276: 360 Skills For Life with Rob Hattersley
Prepared for life, not just exams360 are a dynamic social enterprise developing essential skills for life in young people through an interactive learning approach we call discuss, decide and do.360 Skills For Life provide scenario-based educational experiences that equip learners with the skills, knowledge and confidence to live active, fulfilling and safer lives in stronger and more sustainable communities.Experience Skill City, their unique VR environment, bringing to life real world safeguarding dilemmas in realistic but safe scenarios.Their valuesWe listen in order to continually learn and improveWe connect and collaborate because partnerships achieve more for lessWe put the learner and their needs firstWe empower and challenge rather than instructWe engage and involve learners in our developmentWe adapt and are flexible when encountering new situations and knowledgeWe include all learners regardless of age, disability, gender, relationship or parental status, race, belief, sex or sexual orientationWe seek the best in everyone to realise individual and collective potentialTheir approachHolistic, cross-curricular education that delivers transferable skills for 21st century lifeImmersive, practical and interactive learning in which users discuss, make decisions and then do, rather than simply learning factsAwareness of surroundings to make good risk assessments, confidently make better decisions and deal with individual and collective challengesBlended learning where online, in-school and outdoor strands are closely integratedProvision of a realistic dilemma-based virtual Skill City as the core resourcePartnership with other organisations to maximise impact and value360 work closely with partners in the public, private and third sectors and deliver three integrated curriculum strands of online, in school and outdoors. The first phase on safeguarding launched in April 2021.Websitewww.360skillsforlife.orgSocial Media Information Twitter - @360SkillsForLife LinkedIn - /360skillsforlife Resource MentionedWatership DownSir Ken Robinson TED TalkShow SponsorThe National Association for Primary Education speaks for young children and all who live and work with them. Get a FREE e-copy of their professional journal at nape.org.uk/journalMentioned in this episode:NAPE Al Kingsley Summit PromoWatch Mark Taylor interview Al Kingsley about 'Creating Digital Strategies for Schools' as part of the Primary Education Summit 2023 - Visions for the Future - presented by National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
https://www.educationonfire.com/creating-digital-strategies-for-schools/

Aug 8, 2022 • 49min
275: 6 needs of learning with Dr Rick Chromey
DR. RICK CHROMEY is a best-selling author, international speaker, cultural historian, professor, and pastor. His mission is to help people interpret history, navigate culture and explore faith to create trusted and transformative change. He’s authored over a dozen books, including his most recent work titled GenTech: An American Story of Technology, Change and Who We Really Are (2020).Get your free DIGITAL copy of Rick's book (GenTech: An American Story of Technology, Change and Who We Really Are): https://dl.bookfunnel.com/37oz433xx9The 6 needs and environments of learning : G.R.O.W.L.SGraceRelationshipOwnershipWorthLaughterSecurityWebsitewww.rickchromey.comSocial Media Informationwww.facebook.com/rickchromeyspeakerwww.instagram.com/drrickchromey/twitter.com/Dr_Rick_Chromeywww.youtube.com/channel/UCoXjDFeB-2ZcQmsOeISJq-AShow SponsorThe National Association for Primary Education speaks for young children and all who live and work with them. Get a FREE e-copy of their professional journal at nape.org.uk/journalMentioned in this episode:NAPE Al Kingsley Summit PromoWatch Mark Taylor interview Al Kingsley about 'Creating Digital Strategies for Schools' as part of the Primary Education Summit 2023 - Visions for the Future - presented by National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
https://www.educationonfire.com/creating-digital-strategies-for-schools/

Aug 4, 2022 • 47min
274: How business and education can work together with Al Kingsley
Al describes himself as a man of two hats, with one he the is CEO of the EdTech company, NetSupport, with almost 30 years' experience in corporate and educational technology.With his other, and with a passion for education and, in particular edtech, governance and raising organisational performance, Al has undertaken numerous roles in education, including being Chair of a Multi-Academy Trust and of an Alternative Provision Academy. He is chair of his regions Governors' Leadership Group and chairs the regional SEND Board. With 20+ years of governance experience, Al also sits on the Regional Schools Commissioner's Advisory Board for the East of England and North London, is an FED Council member, Chair of the BESA EdTech Group and chairs his regional Employment and Skills Board.A well-known face in EdTech around the world, Al is also the author of "My Secret #EdTech Diary" and co-author of “A Guide to Creating a Digital Strategy in Education”. Al writes and speaks internationally on the effective use of Educational Technology and is a Forbes Technology Council Member.Websitewww.netsupportsoftware.comwww.alkingsley.comSocial Media InformationTwitter - https://twitter.com/AlKingsley_EduLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alkingsley1/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/edtechdiary/Website – https://www.alkingsley.comAuthory - https://authory.com/AlKingsleyShow SponsorThe National Association for Primary Education speaks for young children and all who live and work with them. Get a FREE e-copy of their professional journal at nape.org.uk/journalMentioned in this episode:NAPE Al Kingsley Summit PromoWatch Mark Taylor interview Al Kingsley about 'Creating Digital Strategies for Schools' as part of the Primary Education Summit 2023 - Visions for the Future - presented by National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
https://www.educationonfire.com/creating-digital-strategies-for-schools/

Aug 1, 2022 • 51min
273: The role of edtech in narrowing the attainment gap with Tassomai
Narrowing the attainment gap remains the key challenge for the education system, especially as we steer our way out of the pandemic.In February 2022, Tassomai hosted a round table discussion, bringing together some of the leading thinkers and innovators in the education world to consider the role that edtech software could, and should, play in tackling this challenge.The participants felt edtech had the potential to support but it wasn’t a magic wand, it needed to be considered with care:Data from edtech software needs to be easy to analyse so it can effectively inform teaching and learning decisions and support disadvantaged learners.Connecting data with demographics is essential for schools to understand how disadvantaged learners are progressing.Designing for disadvantaged children from the start can ensure their needs are prioritised.Following the round table a short report has been produced to capture the wide ranging and insightful discussion. You can download the report here.James Stradling is Head of Science at All Saints Academy in Weymouth and has been at the school for around 15 Years.Tassomai was founded by learning and revision expert Murray Morrison, who built the program to help his own students learn more effectively. Using techniques from sports and music coaching, Murray created a program to test and teach through continuous practice and adapted repetition.Since 2012, Murray has focused fully on developing Tassomai as a software and a business. Tassomai has established itself as an edtech tool able to transform teaching and learning, helping over 250,000 students get their best possible grades. Its essential power is to be able to identify where students need more support and direct them (along with their teachers and parents) to practice and resources that can help. Websitewww.tassomai.comSocial Media Information@Tassomai@MurrayTassomaiShow SponsorThe National Association for Primary Education speaks for young children and all who live and work with them. Get a FREE e-copy of their professional journal at nape.org.uk/journalMentioned in this episode:NAPE Al Kingsley Summit PromoWatch Mark Taylor interview Al Kingsley about 'Creating Digital Strategies for Schools' as part of the Primary Education Summit 2023 - Visions for the Future - presented by National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
https://www.educationonfire.com/creating-digital-strategies-for-schools/

Jul 28, 2022 • 59min
272: Learning through connection and community with Decoteau Irby
Decoteau creates teaching and learning experiences, music and stories, and opportunities for people to be in community. Be it through music, encouraging the use of urban green spaces, or creating opportunities for Black people to generate wealth and wellness, his priorities are grounded in “going at it” together and creating space for people to shine.Throughout his life, he has created all sorts of things, spaces, and experiences. These include businesses, such Derute Consulting Cooperative, a firm he co-founded in 2013; Visioning Black Spaces LLC, a collective of families that pool and invest our resources to improve Chicago’s Black neighborhoods; and Deaky Bug Creative Works LLC, a firm he uses to curate and finance his personal creative endeavors and collaborations.Decoteau is a professor at University of Illinois at Chicago and author or co-editor of several books, including Stuck Improving: Racial Equity and School Leadership (Harvard Education Press) and a children’s book Magical Black Tears: A Protest Story (Derute Consulting Cooperative).Through all of his work, he is committed to creating spaces that bring people together in community. He is active in his neighborhood community garden and serves as treasurer for his local park advisory council. Finally, a self-taught guitarist, songwriter, performer, and recording artist; with two albums released and available on his website.Websitewww.decoteauirby.comSocial Media InformationTwitter: @decoteauirbyIG: decoteaublackLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/decoteau-irbyShow SponsorThe National Association for Primary Education speaks for young children and all who live and work with them. Get a FREE e-copy of their professional journal at nape.org.uk/journalMentioned in this episode:NAPE Al Kingsley Summit PromoWatch Mark Taylor interview Al Kingsley about 'Creating Digital Strategies for Schools' as part of the Primary Education Summit 2023 - Visions for the Future - presented by National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
https://www.educationonfire.com/creating-digital-strategies-for-schools/

Jul 25, 2022 • 55min
271: WHO SMARTED? the hit children's podcast with Jerry Kolber
Jerry Kolber is the Emmy-nominated co-creator and showrunner of Nat Geo's biggest hit series BRAIN GAMES, and Netflix's BRAINCHILD with Pharrell Williams. He is the co-creator and narrator of the hit children's podcast WHO SMARTED? (Apple & NY Times Pick for Kids), which has over 3 million downloads in its first year.The Atomic team behind WHO SMARTED? includes educators, STEM consultants, writers and producers with a passion for improving the lives of children, parents, and teachers. The Atomic team has spent tens of thousands of hours creating the best educational content in the world; we will stop at nothing to make learning fun and easier for you and your family.Jerry Kolber's other credits as showrunner or producer include A&E's INKED, QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY, CONFESSIONS OF A MATCHMAKER (A&E), 14 MINUTES FROM EARTH (space documentary), DARK WEB (Discovery), THE TRUTH ABOUT TRUE CRIME WITH AMANDA KNOX (AMC Digital). THE INTERNET RUINED MY LIFE (SyFy), and the upcoming Spotify original DEEP BLUE SEA. Jerry is co-founder and CEO of the edutainment company Atomic Entertainment Group. He is also a certified meditation instructor. Websitewhosmarted.comSocial Media Informationwww.facebook.com/WhoSmarted/www.instagram.com/whosmarted/?hl=entwitter.com/whosmartedResource MentionedMath with Bad DrawingsPsych Experiments Show SponsorThe National Association for Primary Education speaks for young children and all who live and work with them. Get a FREE e-copy of their professional journal at nape.org.uk/journalMentioned in this episode:NAPE Al Kingsley Summit PromoWatch Mark Taylor interview Al Kingsley about 'Creating Digital Strategies for Schools' as part of the Primary Education Summit 2023 - Visions for the Future - presented by National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
https://www.educationonfire.com/creating-digital-strategies-for-schools/

Jul 21, 2022 • 42min
270: Why Tes has gone digital with Jon Severs
Jon Severs explains the journey of taking the traditional Tes magazine, which was established in 1910, to their new online delivery which can be more reactive in our modern age.Tes is a global education business. It started out in print more than 100 years ago as The Times Educational Supplement. Fast forward to today and it has grown in partnership with teachers and schools around the world to become one of the largest, professional digital communities, connecting and supporting more than 13 million educators globally.Then and now, their commitment to supporting schools and teachers is at the heart of everything they do.They work with 25,000 schools in more than 100 countries. Whether you’re newly-qualified, an experienced teacher or a school leader, they want to simplify your working life by freeing up your time so you can focus on what matters most – changing lives.Jon Severs is editor of Tes. He was previously commissioning editor at Tes, responsible for the teaching and learning content, as well as policy, leadership and pastoral articles. Before that, he wrote and edited for both trade and consumer titles. If you want to contribute to Tes in the way mentioned in the show here are the 2 contacts.dan.worth@tes.comhelen.amass@tes.comwww.tes.comShow SponsorThe National Association for Primary Education speaks for young children and all who live and work with them. Get a FREE e-copy of their professional journal at nape.org.uk/journalMentioned in this episode:NAPE Al Kingsley Summit PromoWatch Mark Taylor interview Al Kingsley about 'Creating Digital Strategies for Schools' as part of the Primary Education Summit 2023 - Visions for the Future - presented by National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
https://www.educationonfire.com/creating-digital-strategies-for-schools/