
Edufuturists
We are led to believe that the education system will continually evolve to meet the needs of learners and society. This has not happened. We need a revolution!
Latest episodes

Nov 11, 2024 • 31min
Edufuturists #266 The Future of Education: Weak Signals for What's Coming - A Brilliant Conversation
In this episode of the podcast, which is audio only, we showcase the incredible panel from Brilliant Festival in Liverpool on 15th October 2024. Ben & Steve are joined by Hugh Viney, Founder and CEO of Minerva Virtual Academy, Nachelle Crowther, Founder of Evolve Generation and Tom Rogerson, Headmaster of Cottesmore School on the keynote stage at Brilliant.
The conversation explores the future of education, focusing on emerging trends such as holistic education, the importance of culture in educational settings, the necessity of lifelong learning, and the role of community collaboration in overcoming barriers to education. The panelists share insights from their experiences and emphasise the need for a transformative approach to education that prioritises well-being, learner empowerment, and adaptability in a rapidly changing world.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Future of Education
04:58 Holistic Education: A New Approach
14:49 Culture First: Building a Strong Educational Environment
20:57 Lifelong Learning: Embracing Continuous Education
27:11 Community Collaboration: Addressing Barriers in Education
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.
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Oct 28, 2024 • 45min
Edufuturists #265 Engineering Education - Beyond the Factory with Dr Hilary Leevers
In this episode of the podcast, Ben speaks with Dr Hilary Leevers, CEO of Engineering UK, about the future of engineering education and the importance of diversity in the field. We discuss the challenges young people face in pursuing engineering careers, the need for practical experience in STEM education, and the significance of role models in inspiring the next generation.
The conversation also highlights the upcoming Tomorrow's Engineers Week and the importance of aligning young people's passions with career opportunities in engineering and technology.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Engineering Education
03:01 The Journey into Engineering and Diversity Challenges
06:06 Understanding Engineering: Beyond Stereotypes
09:06 The Importance of Practical Experience in STEM
12:03 Tomorrow's Engineers Week: Powering Up Passions
15:04 Career Readiness and Aligning Passions with Opportunities
18:11 The Role of Role Models in Engineering
20:55 Cross-Disciplinary Approaches in Education
23:56 Ethics and Engineering: Navigating Complex Decisions
26:52 Final Thoughts and Quickfire Questions
Check out Tomorrow's Engineers Week 2024
Find out more about Engineering UK
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.
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Oct 21, 2024 • 55min
Edufuturists #264 Creating a Culture of Innovation with Jo Hardy
In this episode of the podcast, we have a thought-provoking conversation with Jo Hardy, Director of Innovation at TTS (formerly RM). We explore the evolving landscape of education, emphasising the importance of innovation, the need for a supportive culture, and the role of technology in modern learning.
Jo shares her insights on the challenges faced by educators, the significance of coding and computational thinking, and the impact of community engagement through charity work. The discussion highlights the necessity for educational practices to adapt to the changing world, fostering creativity and resilience among students and teachers alike.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Guest Background
05:47 The Role of Innovation in Education
11:06 Creating a Culture of Innovation
16:37 The Impact of School Policies on Creativity
24:11 The Importance of Coding and Computational Thinking
32:29 Resilience and Learning from Failure
40:01 Community Engagement and Supporting Disadvantaged Children
Connect with Jo
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.
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Oct 13, 2024 • 58min
Episode #263 Why Mindset Matters with Martin Griffin
In this episode, we get to engage with Martin Griffin, an experienced educator and author, to discuss the critical role of mindset in education. We explore the psychological components of learning, the importance of resilience, and the VESPA framework (Vision, Effort, Systems, Practice, Attitude) that can help students succeed.
The conversation digs into practical strategies for fostering motivation, setting effective goals, and the influence of parental expectations on student achievement. Martin emphasises the need for educators to focus on process over product and to create vivid examples of success to inspire students. The episode concludes with quickfire questions that highlight the challenges and opportunities in the current educational landscape.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:06 Understanding Mindset in Education
05:14 The Importance of Psychological Components
09:28 Building Resilience in Students
14:26 The Jigsaw Analogy for Learning
18:58 Exploring the VESPA Framework
20:11 Vision and Motivation in Education
25:06 Approach vs. Avoidance Goals
30:53 The Role of Systems in Education
34:22 The Impact of Attention and Attitude
39:16 The Influence of Parental Mindset
52:27 Quickfire Questions and Conclusion
Check out Martin's latest book
Find out more about VESPA here
Thanks to Crown House Publishing too for suggesting Martin and their support of the Edufuturists podcast as ever.
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
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Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?
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Get your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2025

Oct 9, 2024 • 51min
Edufuturists #262 Botheredness with Hywel Roberts
In this episode of the podcast, we speak with Hywel Roberts about his journey as an educator and the themes explored in his new book, 'Botheredness.' We discuss the importance of nurturing practice in teaching, the need for passion and compassion in education, and the role of creativity and context in engaging students.
Hywel, in his inimitable and wonderful manner, shares insights on how to get kids to care about their learning and the significance of oracy and conversation in the classroom. The conversation also touches on the challenges of transitioning from primary to secondary education and the need for a curriculum that is kind and supportive of both students and teachers.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Hywel and Botheredness
02:49 The Journey of a Teacher: From Classroom to Freelance
05:58 Nurturing Practice and the Importance of Imagination in Teaching
09:13 The Oops! Book: Learning by Accident
11:55 Botheredness: Getting Kids to Care
14:56 The Role of Passion in Education
17:47 The Sherpa Analogy: Guiding Students in Learning
21:00 The Importance of Conversation and Oracy in Education
24:11 Creating Context for Learning
27:05 Transitioning from Primary to Secondary Education
30:11 The Need for Compassion in Education
32:53 Finding Humanity in the Curriculum
35:54 The Role of Creativity in Education
38:59 The Future of Education: A Call for Change
42:04 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts
Connect with Hywel
Grab your copy of Botheredness
Thanks to Crown House Publishing too for suggesting Hywel and their support of the Edufuturists podcast as ever.
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
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Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?
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Get your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2025

Sep 30, 2024 • 52min
Edufuturists #261 Why We All Need Digital Champions with Gemma Gwilliam
In this episode of the Edufuturists podcast, we are joined by Gemma Gwilliam, Head of Digital Learning, Education and Innovation in Portsmouth. We discuss the impact of technology on education, the importance of personalisation and accessibility, and Gemma's journey through various educational roles.
The conversation highlights the need for collaboration among schools, the significance of equipping students with the right tools, and the ongoing transformation in the educational landscape. Gemma shares her insights on building a supportive community and the future of education, emphasising the importance of choice and innovation.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:15 Gemma's Role in Education and Technology
03:13 Challenges in Education and Communication
03:24 Navigating ADHD and Educational Innovation
06:32 A Week in the Life of an Educational Leader
09:23 The Power of Passion in Education
12:15 Gemma's Journey: From Teacher to Digital City Champion
15:29 Technology as an Enabler in Education
18:13 Personalisation and Choice in Learning
21:35 The Importance of Context in Education
24:11 Procurement Challenges in Education Technology
27:20 Building a Collaborative Educational Community
30:19 Empowering Educators Through Skill Development
33:37 The Future of Education: Autonomy and Personalisation
36:28 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts
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.
Connect with Gemma
Find out more about Portsmouth: The Digital City Project
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Sep 23, 2024 • 43min
Edufuturists #260 And/And Education with Naomi Toland
In this episode of the Edufuturists podcast, we chat with Naomi Toland to further explore the concept of holistic education and the importance of understanding the whole human in the educational process. We discuss personal journeys, the creation of the Whole Human Hub, and the need for systematic change in education.
The conversation emphasises the significance of rewilding education (as per a few other episodes!), building confidence, and fostering community connections. Naomi shares her experiences and insights on how to bridge gaps in education and the role of nature in learning. The episode concludes with reflections on the future of holistic education and the power of collaboration.
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.
Chapters
00:00 Introductions & Back story
08:01 Why The Whole Human
12:01 Holistic Education and AI Integration
16:41 Personal Growth and Mindfulness Practices
19:55 Systemic Change in Education
22:17 Rewilding Education and Individual Growth
27:51 Building Community and Support
40:09 Emerging Trends in Holistic Education
Follow Naomi on LinkedIn
Check out The Whole Human Hub
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Sep 16, 2024 • 53min
Episode #259 Shifting from a Deficit Model with Nic Ponsford
Nic Ponsford, founder and CEO of the Global Equality Collective, discusses her journey from teacher to leader in educational data collection. She highlights the necessity of accurate data to enhance inclusion and diversity in schools. The conversation revolves around shifting from a deficit model to one that meets the unique needs of students and staff. Ponsford emphasizes the importance of psychological safety, diverse thinking, and the role of technology in education, including AI and assistive technologies, to create inclusive learning environments.

Sep 9, 2024 • 1h 10min
Episode #258 Breaking the Collective Illusions with Shonogh Pilgrim
In this episode, Ben Whitaker and Steve Hope are joined by Shonogh Pilgrim, CEO of Whole Education, to discuss the importance of holistic education. They explore the biases in society towards academic achievement and the undervaluing of skills and holistic development.
They also discuss the need for a shift in the education system to focus on personalised education and the use of technology to enable individualised learning. The conversation highlights the collective illusions that perpetuate the current education system and the importance of educators defining their own beliefs and values. The conversation explores the need for educators to have a clear understanding of their beliefs and values in order to stand against the current education system. It highlights the importance of developing dispositions in young people and creating conditions for educators to make decisions. The conversation also touches on the need for a shift in the narrative around education, focusing on holistic learning and the development of the whole individual. It emphasises the power of collective action and networks in driving change in education.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:38 The Bias Towards Academic Achievement and Undervaluing Skills
10:22 The Need for Personalised Education and Technology
15:32 Breaking the Collective Illusions in Education
23:46 Defining Beliefs and Values in Education
35:55 Standing Against the Education System
43:25 Helping People Find Who They Are
52:03 Educating for Society
58:04 Waiting for Change from Government
01:03:47 Autonomy, Responsibility, and Accountability
01:06:34 Changing the Need to Tell Everyone What to Do
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.
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Sep 2, 2024 • 42min
Edufuturists #257 The Big Review Part 4 with Ben & Steve
In this episode, Ben and Steve recap the past six episodes and discuss the exciting future of the podcast. They cover a range of topics, including the role of AI in education, digital transformation, the importance of human connection, and the need for a holistic approach to learning. They also highlight the significance of igniting the inner rebel in young people and the need for a more flexible and risk-friendly education system. The conversation is filled with humour, passion, and a commitment to making a positive impact in education.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Recap
03:01 The Role of AI in Education and the Importance of Human Connection
07:05 Digital Transformation: Beyond Substitution to Redefinition
13:56 Confidence, Communication, and the Limitations of AI
17:27 Igniting the Inner Rebel: Fostering Curiosity and Risk-Taking
20:29 Moving Away from Outcome-Focused Education
24:20 Engaging Students in the Future of Education
28:13 A Rebellion for Innovation and Continuous Improvement
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.
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Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?
Get in touch: info@edufuturists.com
Get your tickets for Uprising 2025