#Edufuturists #FutureOfEducation #AIinEducation
What if the biggest problem in education isn't workload, personalisation or even AI, but the things we've simply never stopped to question?
In this episode, Ben and Steve are back in the studio for The Big Review Part 18, looking back at eight recent conversations on the future of education. From heart-led leadership and the myth of AI personalisation to Pick 'n' Mix Education in real life, evidence-based teaching and inclusive learning for neurodivergent children, they pull out the big ideas, the moments that stuck with them, and the threads connecting them all: human first, professional second.
We cover:
- Why the hardest part of teaching might not be workload, and why teachers need safety to try new things
- Leading with heart: character, humility over ego, and psychological safety in schools and organisations
- Why we should stop calling it "personalisation" and put human wisdom at the centre of AI strategy
- Being interviewed about Pick 'n' Mix Education: one size fits all means one size fits none
- Why education and school are not the same thing, and why parents need a permission slip to choose differently
- Trudi Barrow on creative fidelity, the DfE AI toolkit, and getting our Sundays back
- Pick 'n' Mix Education in real life: hybrid, online and home learning with Minerva Virtual Academy families
- What if nothing we do in education has ever been tested like a new drug? Randomised trials, AI tutors and social mobility
- Fleeing Ukraine, navigating autism, and building inclusive learning systems used by hundreds of thousands of learners
- A sneak peek at upcoming guests, including Hamilton musical director Julian Reeve
Why you should listen
If you only have time for one episode, make it this one. It's a fast, honest tour through some of the most important questions facing schools, colleges and families right now, and a perfect starting point for diving into the 350+ episodes in the Edufuturists back catalogue.
Chapters
0:00 Welcome to The Big Review Part 18
01:16 Why we keep doing this: the best CPD there is
03:11 Building the rocket ship: organised chaos and the new Edufuturists website
04:30 The hardest part of teaching isn't workload with Grant Wootten
09:05 Character, heart and leadership with Dave Jones and Stephen Klemich
11:15 Leading with love: humility over ego
14:38 Stop calling it personalisation with Laura Knight
16:56 Human first, professional second
17:43 Brilliant Festival (ad)
18:44 AI reviews in schools: culture, not tick boxes
20:23 Ben and Steve in the hot seat: David Cameron on Pick 'n' Mix Education
21:07 One size fits all means one size fits none
23:18 A permission slip for parents: education isn't the same as school
24:29 Edufuturist of the Year 2026 Trudi Barrow
27:46 AI policy gaps, the DfE toolkit and creative fidelity
29:41 Live at Minerva Virtual Academy's fifth anniversary
31:39 Pick 'n' Mix Education in real life
34:03 Testing education like medicine with Dr Yusuf Ben-Tarifite
36:13 Social mobility, randomised trials and AI versus human tutoring
38:01 Inclusive STEAM learning with Mykhailo from UNOWA
40:48 Fleeing Ukraine, autism and navigating change
42:06 Coming up: Ashish Bansal, Julian Reeve and more
43:05 Wrap up, Wolfpack and Uprising 2027
#EducationPodcast #EducationLeadership #PickAndMixEducation #EdTech #InclusiveEducation
Grab your free ticket for Brilliant Festival on 10th November in Liverpool
Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xCheck out all about Edufuturists at our new websiteWant to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work? Get in touchGrab your copy of the new Pick 'n' Mix Education book
Join the Wolfpack
