Rethinking the Purpose of Education

In this episode of the Joining the Dots podcast, Al Kingsley and Matt Jessop sit down with the legendary Professor Mick Waters—renowned curriculum expert and co-author of About Our Schools—to ask the big questions shaping education today.

💡 What is the true purpose of schooling in the 21st century? 📉 Are PISA rankings driving the wrong kinds of change? ⚖️ How can we restore agency to teachers—and maybe even students?

From the historic roots of curriculum design to the growing calls for “open schools” and global qualifications, the trio explore the tension between national policy and classroom reality. Mick shares candid insights on political meddling, the erosion of trust in the profession, and why it’s time to reimagine what childhood and youth should look like in today’s society.

🔥 Topics include:

• The national curriculum: prescriptive or protective?

• The rise (and risk) of data-driven accountability

• Micro-credentials, soft skills, and the future of assessment

• Lessons from Wales, the Netherlands, and the open school movement

• Why we need a national conversation on childhood itself.

In this thought-provoking episode of the "Joining the Dots" podcast, hosts Matt Jessop and Al Kingsley chat with Dr. Nick Jackson, AI expert and co-author of "The Next Words: AI and Teachers." Diving into the dynamic intersection of artificial intelligence and education, Nick challenges us to move beyond the superficial integration of AI, urging educators to fundamentally reconsider the very essence and purpose of education.

The discussion explores how AI highlights the uniquely human elements of teaching, creating urgency to redefine educational values, pedagogy, and assessment methods.

From the challenges of digital inequality and infrastructure gaps in schools, both in the UK and Australia, to practical strategies for rapidly building teacher confidence with AI, this episode calls for bold and thoughtful action.

Listen in as Nick, Al, and Matt envision a future where embracing AI not only transforms education but ensures no learner or teacher is left behind. Also check out Nick's Book "The Next Word: AI and Teachers", which you can purchase here, and Al's new Book "The Awkward Questions in Education: The Elephants in the Room from AI to Teacher Retention" which you can purchase here.

In this lively episode, hosts Al Kingsley and Matt Jessop sit down with Jonny Clark—angel investor, CEO of the not-for-profit venture firm Capital Enterprise, and a driving force across multiple UK startup scenes. Jonny shares candid views on why London-based companies often scale faster than those in the north, pointing to policy, infrastructure, and cultural attitudes as bigger factors than pure “entrepreneurial spirit.”

He explains how true innovation demands stepping away from “hustle culture” clichés and focusing on real-world needs—especially in sectors like education and manufacturing, where Jonny sees enormous potential for growth if the right support structures are in place. Al and Matt draw parallels between entrepreneurship and the education sector, pressing Jonny for insights on how schools might better prepare students for rapidly shifting job markets. Jonny raises concerns that schools may be overhyping emerging technology—especially AI—without first investing in fundamental skills and infrastructure.

Still, Jonny’s optimism shines through. He champions the idea of “venture-scale thinking” beyond just London, urging entrepreneurs anywhere in the UK to set their sights on global markets. Ultimately, the conversation spotlights the interplay between policy, culture, and technology in shaping a healthier startup ecosystem—and hints at the promising future that lies ahead if education and industry learn to innovate together.

The Future of Tech in Education with Miles Berry

In this thought-provoking episode, Matt Jessop and Al Kingsley sit down with Miles Berry, Professor of Computing Education at the University of Roehampton and a leading voice in education, computing, and teacher training. They dive into the evolving role of technology in schools, questioning whether the current teacher training framework is fit for purpose and exploring how AI, computing, and digital skills should shape the future curriculum.

📌 Key Topics Discussed: ✅ The gap in technology training for new teachers and upcoming changes ✅ How curriculum and assessment need to evolve for a digital-first world ✅ The role of computing in education—should it be a core subject? ✅ The impact of high-stakes testing and its effect on curriculum innovation ✅ How Ofsted and policymakers influence (or hinder) tech adoption in schools

🚀 Miles shares his vision for rethinking GCSE computing, making tech education accessible and equitable for all students, and why schools should have more freedom to innovate.

A must-listen for educators, policymakers, and anyone passionate about the future of learning! 🎧✨

In this episode, Edmund Barnett-Ward joins Matt Jessop and Al Kingsley for an in-depth conversation about the state of Ofsted and school accountability in England. Edmund, known for his advocacy following the tragic death of headteacher Ruth Perry, shares his insights on the flaws in Ofsted's inspection framework, its lack of independent oversight, and the pressures it places on school leaders.

Key discussion points include:

• The ineffectiveness of Ofsted's "tinkering" reforms and its continued focus on judgment rather than improvement.
• The urgent need for an independent complaints process to ensure fairness and accountability.
• The harmful impact of Ofsted's high-stakes inspections on school staff well-being.
• Alternative peer-review models that could foster supportive, context-driven evaluations rather than punitive measures.

Edmund also reflects on his background as a toy designer and his work on Doctor Who action figures, bringing a creative perspective to the discussion.

🔍 A thought-provoking conversation that challenges the status quo and calls for meaningful reform in school inspections.

🎧 Listen now to explore how we can create a more supportive and effective education system.

In this episode of Join the Dots, hosts Al Kingsley and Matt Jessop are joined by Mark Martin (The Urban Teacher, Assistant Professor of Computer Science & Education Practice) for a thought-provoking discussion on the evolving role of technology, AI, and EdTech in education. The conversation explores how schools can meaningfully integrate AI, the pitfalls of EdTech procurement, and why low-tech solutions might be the future of innovation in education. They also highlight the importance of questioning AI biases and ensuring that technology is a tool for real-world problem-solving rather than a quick fix for systemic educational challenges.

• The Role of Technology in Education – How the shift from ICT to computing changed teaching and learning, and why technology should enhance rather than patch over systemic issues.
• AI in Schools – Threat or Opportunity? – Addressing fears that AI will replace teachers, while recognizing its potential to reduce workload and enhance learning.
• EdTech as a Tool for Real-World Problem-Solving – Examples of using technology to tackle local issues like air pollution, engaging students in meaningful, inquiry-driven learning.
• Bias in AI and Large Language Models – The risks of underrepresented cultures and perspectives in AI training data and the need to teach students critical questioning skills.
• The Problem with EdTech Procurement – Schools often purchase big-brand solutions without questioning effectiveness or data privacy, leading to poor investment decisions.
• The Future of EdTech – Simplicity & Offline Solutions – Why low-tech, cost-effective, and offline solutions could be the next big innovation in education.
• Final Advice for Educators – The importance of having both a local and global perspective to stay ahead of educational trends and innovations.

In this inspiring episode, Matt Jessop and Al Kingsley discuss with Dave McPartlin what it really takes to run a school that puts children and community first—often in spite of rigid frameworks and outdated policies. From racing office chairs down school corridors to taking students to New York, Dave shares how his school, Flakefleet Primary, is pushing boundaries to give children life-changing experiences while tackling rising deprivation, overstretched SEND support, and the relentless pressures on our schools. In the conversation we tackle: ✔ The broken school funding system and why it needs urgent reform ✔ Whether Ofsted should be scrapped and what real accountability could look like ✔ How schools are stepping in where social services and Sure Start once stood ✔ The power of community hubs in tackling poverty, loneliness, and crime With some candid reflections, quite a bit of humour, and a lot of passion, this episode is really a cracker.

Empowering Digital Skills & Agency in Education with John Sibbald🎙️

In this episode, Matt Jessop and Al Kingsley sit down with John Sibbald to explore the transformative work happening in Greater Manchester around digital skills, project-based learning, and industry engagement in schools. John shares insights on the MBAC initiative, which bridges the gap between education and employment, ensuring young people gain relevant digital skills and a line of sight to good jobs.

We discuss:

✅ The digital agency approach – integrating digital skills across the curriculum ✅ How employers are collaborating with schools to bring learning to life ✅ The shift towards project-based and problem-based learning ✅ The importance of teacher support and professional development in digital literacy ✅ Why digital skills aren't just for students – parents and communities need them too!

John also shares his thoughts on AI in education, the need for honest conversations about edtech, and why giving teachers permission to innovate could be the key to real change. 🚀

🔗 Resources Mentioned: 👉 MBAC Initiative & Digital Agency Model 👉 TeachMate AI’s Free AI Progression Tool for Schools

Listen now for an insightful discussion on the future of education, digital skills, and real-world learning! 🎧

Our apologies; the audio wasn't brilliant on this episode, as all of the guests were remote, but it's well worth a listen.

#Education #EdTech #DigitalSkills #ProjectBasedLearning #AIinEducation #Podcast