Education On Fire - Sharing creative and inspiring learning in our schools

Mark Taylor
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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.’

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    Learning Together: Making Spaces Accessible & Inclusive for Everyone

    Jenna Udenberg is a lifelong resident from the Northshore of Minnesota and is a former music educator of 19 years. She has used a manual wheelchair since the age of 8 due to Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Jenna is a 2017 Blandin Foundation Community Leader, a 2020 Bush Fellow, and a 2025 Shannon Leadership Institute Fellow. Writing for the Lake County Press in her column, Local View from 4 foot 2, inspires vulnerability and the sharing of lived experiences from the seated perspective. Within My Spokes: A Tapestry of Pain, Growth & Freedom is Jenna’s published memoir which you can find on the A&BWU website, on Amazon or wherever you find your books. In her free time, you can find Jenna outdoors on paved trails or fishing with friends, playing board and card games, as well as coaching the Robo Dweebs, a LEGO robotics team. Jenna is the founder of the non-profit, Above & Beyond With U, which works to increase accessibility and inclusion in Minnesota and beyond. Takeaways: Jenna Udenberg emphasizes the importance of creating accessible and inclusive environments for all individuals.The principle of universal design plays a crucial role in ensuring equitable access to spaces and services.A significant aspect of Jenna's work is fostering conversations around disability and breaking down societal misconceptions.The sentiment that all humans have needs is central to Jenna's advocacy for kindness and understanding in community interactions.Jenna's experiences as a wheelchair user illuminate the barriers present in everyday environments and the need for thoughtful design.The phrase 'nothing for us without us' encapsulates the necessity of including disabled individuals in discussions about accessibility. Chapters: 00:10 - Jenna Udenberg: A Journey of Resilience01:29 - Creating Inclusive Spaces: The Mission of Above and Beyond10:24 - Understanding Disability and Accessibility25:56 - Understanding Disability in Education32:51 - Reflections on Teaching and Growth Mindset37:18 - Empowerment and Resilience in Leadership https://www.aboveandbeyondwithu.org/ https://www.instagram.com/aboveandbeyondwithu https://www.facebook.com/people/Above-Beyond-With-U/100091881005060/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/91173822 Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/ Find out more about their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape 🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire and get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources you can use to support learning https://www.educationonfire.com/ 🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunities https://www.educationonfire.com/support

    44 min

  2. 22/12/2025

    Navigating the Complexities of Autism and Education: Insights from Victoria Lenormand

    Victoria Lenormand is a former police detective turned holistic coach, Reiki master, and passionate advocate for alternative education and social justice. With a 28-year career in public service behind her, Victoria’s lens is both compassionate and sharp: she’s witnessed firsthand how institutions can sometimes fail those they claim to serve. Her journey took a transformative turn when her youngest son’s autism diagnosis revealed the flaws in rigid educational and medical systems. Choosing to home educate, she and her family embraced a life of flexibility, healing, and empowerment—living in a motorhome before settling in Scotland and exploring a more intuitive way of living. Her family’s transformation, sparked by a combination of diet, environment, and deep listening, revealed the healing power of choice and the cost of ignoring it. Today, through Gemini Directions, Victoria now works with families and individuals who feel stuck inside systems not made for them. Her work draws on training in wellness coaching, trauma-informed care, and energy work—but more than anything, it’s shaped by real-world experience: managing crisis with calm, asking better questions, making space when the default is to push through. Victoria speaks to parents at breaking point, professionals navigating burnout, and educators or policymakers open to doing things differently. Her conversations centre around those day-to-day quiet acts of courage: advocating for yourself, questioning “normal,” and moving toward something slower, more responsive, and often more effective. Takeaways: The value of a child is often revealed in the challenges they face, not just in their successes.When traditional education fails to meet a child's needs, parents must explore alternative educational paths.Creating a supportive community is essential for families navigating the complexities of education and special needs.Empowering children to take charge of their own learning fosters autonomy and encourages a love for education.Resilience is cultivated through overcoming challenges and learning to adapt in the face of adversity.The holistic approach to education recognizes the interconnectedness of emotional, physical, and academic well-being. Chapters: 00:20 - Choosing to Withdraw: A New Direction06:20 - The Journey of Learning and Discovery08:23 - The Journey of Learning and Inclusion18:51 - Navigating Educational Change22:49 - Rethinking Education: Navigating New Possibilities28:20 - The Journey of Personalization in Learning34:45 - Navigating Educational Change and Personal Growth40:01 - The Importance of Community Support in Challenging Times42:38 - The Power of Resilience and Communityspan class="ql-ui"...

    48 min

  3. 15/12/2025

    Revolutionizing Toilet Policies: A Toolkit for Period Equity

    In the summer of 2024, Irise brought together a diverse group of young people from across the UK, alongside their allies and educators to directly inform a ‘Toilet Policy Toolkit’, to equip schools with the tools they need to create a Toilet Policy that works for everyone.  https://www.irise.org.uk/uk-schools-toilet-policy-toolkit Kelly Greenaway is phs Group’s period equality lead. Over the past nine years with the hygiene provider she has led a number of thought-leadership campaigns, which have eventually been sewn into the identity of the business. From tackling period inequality and campaigning for better access to period products for people in a variety of locations, to championing the need for dignified disposal for men, Kelly has put purpose at the heart of phs. Chrissy Cattle - CEO of Irise International  Irise is an award winning, global leader in menstrual justice programming, policy and research.  Takeaways: The podcast discusses a newly developed toilet policy toolkit aimed at enhancing period equity in schools. This toolkit was co-created by educators and young activists to address the issue of toilet access. Research indicates that many students face significant barriers when trying to access school toilets, including the need for permission and limited availability. The conversation emphasizes the importance of listening to young people's experiences and incorporating their feedback into effective policy-making. The podcast highlights the collaboration between organizations to drive change in menstrual health and hygiene education. Both guests underscore the necessity of improving toilet accessibility to support students' health and well-being during their menstrual cycles. Chapters: 00:02 - Introduction to the Toilet Policy Toolkit04:55 - Understanding the Challenges of Period Equality in Schools09:46 - The Toolkit and Its Implementation20:09 - Advocating for Period Equity: Insights and Initiatives26:49 - Empowerment through Leadership Programs Kelly Greenaway - phs Group  https://www.phs.co.uk/  https://x.com/phsgroup Chrissy Cattle - Irise International  https://www.irise.org.uk/  https://www.instagram.com/irise_international/ Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/ Find out more about their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape 🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire and get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources you can use to support learning https://www.educationonfire.com/ 🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunities https://www.educationonfire.com/support

    32 min

  4. 08/12/2025

    Changemaker Education - Love-based microschools

    David K Richards is the Founder & CEO of Changemaker Education, a national network of affiliate love-based microschools and an incubator for founders who want to usher in a new paradigm for the future of education. He is also the host of the Changemaker ED“U” podcast. Previously, he was Founder & CEO of Growth Public Schools, and a founding teacher and leader with Summit Public Schools where he launched several innovative schools. In addition he serves as a leadership and life coach. David has worked in education reform for over 25 years as a teacher, principal, executive, and board member. He lives in Sacramento, CA with his wife and his two children, and holds a BA from UC Berkeley and an MA from Stanford University. Takeaways: The traditional education system has remained largely unchanged, resembling a factory model that fails to meet the needs of modern learners. Microschools represent a transformative approach to education, empowering educators and communities to create personalized learning environments. The emergence of microschools arises from a growing desire for more intimate, love-based educational experiences that focus on social emotional learning. ChangeMaker Education aims to cultivate a network of microschools, emphasizing the importance of relationships and community involvement in fostering student success. In the face of societal shifts, such as the rise of the gig economy and the expansion of homeschooling, families are increasingly seeking alternative education options. There exists a significant demand for educational reform that prioritizes personalized learning and emotional development, particularly in light of ongoing advancements in technology and AI. Chapters: 00:16 - Revolutionizing Education: The MicroSchool Movement01:04 - Introduction to Microschools and Educational Innovation13:50 - Transitioning from Educator to Entrepreneur16:30 - The Rise of Personalized Education22:59 - The Future of Education: Embracing Change and Choice31:18 - The Ripple Effect in Education https://www.changemakereducation.com/ Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/ Find out more about their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape 🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire and get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources you can use to support learning https://www.educationonfire.com/ 🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunities educationonfire.com/support

    36 min

  5. 01/12/2025

    The Pearl Remote Democratic High School

    Dr. Robin Harwick is the founder and director of The Pearl Remote Democratic High School—an international, online school reimagining education for youth pushed out of mainstream systems. A lifelong educator, researcher, and creator of healing-centered programs, she combines lived experience with academic rigor to disrupt the status quo. Her work champions self-determination, culturally affirming curriculum, creativity, and shared power. Whether she’s launching new models or mentoring others to do the same, Dr. Harwick believes the future belongs to those bold enough to build it, and that education should be a tool for liberation, not control. Takeaways: Dr. Robin Harwick emphasizes the necessity of making education valuable both in the present and future, ensuring students find relevance in their learning today. The Pearl Remote Democratic High School serves students who have been marginalized by mainstream educational systems, focusing on personalized and supportive learning environments. Effective education requires fostering emotional well-being alongside academic success, recognizing that students often struggle when pressured to conform to traditional expectations. Students at the Pearl experience a collaborative and democratic learning process, empowering them to take ownership of their education and engage actively in their learning journey. Chapters: 00:00 - The Value of Education02:21 - The Importance of Personalized Education08:16 - The Importance of Multicultural Education17:41 - Understanding Student Engagement and Mental Capacity23:10 - Transitioning to Online Education28:16 - Transitioning to Personalized Learning34:10 - Creating Safe Spaces for Students34:59 - Transforming Education: The Role of Democratic Classrooms44:20 - The Shift from Compliance to Personal Growth in Education47:54 - The Power of Resilience and Hope https://thepearlhighschool.org/ https://www.instagram.com/the_pearl_high_school/ https://www.facebook.com/ThePearlHighSchool Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/ Find out more about their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape 🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire and get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources you can use to support learning https://www.educationonfire.com/ 🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunities educationonfire.com/support

    52 min

  6. 24/11/2025

    Jez Alborough: Children's Author on Creativity & Inspiration

    Jez Alborough is the author and illustrator of over 45 books for children. His Eddy and the Bear trilogy (which began with the much loved WHERE’S MY TEDDY in 1992) has sold nearly four and a half million copies and was made into a Bafta award-winning animated television special and series. DUCK IN THE TRUCK (1999) heralded the start of another bestselling series, this time featuring the irrepressible Duck and his three friends - Frog, Goat and Sheep. There are nine books in the Duck series (1.3 million copies sold) including DUCK’S KEY WHERE CAN IT BE? which won the Child magazine Best of the Year Award. In 2000 Jez created HUG - a powerful and touching book of only three words about a baby chimpanzee called Bobo who loses his Mum. HUG was raved about by Oprah Winfrey on her show when she chose it for her recommended reading list while Richard Curtis (the writer and director of Four Weddings and a Funeral) selected HUG as one of his ‘Best Books’ calling it: ‘classic family drama which holds up well next to Jez’s other masterpieces.’ Bobo went on to star in three more classics; TALL (which along with HUG won the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Book Award), YES and PLAY. The series has sold around 2 million copies. Jez’s other books include SOME DOGS DO (2004) and the NAT THE CAT series (2013). Takeaways: Smiling is a contagious act, capable of spreading joy across vast distances. The journey of creativity often begins with a single idea that evolves over time. The relationship between an author and a publisher is crucial for a book's success. Illustration and storytelling are intertwined, where images and text complement each other. Learning is a continuous process that requires both patience and resilience from the learner. Inspiration can strike unexpectedly, leading to the creation of impactful works of art. Chapters: 00:08 - The Ripple Effect of a Smile00:34 - Introduction to the Education on Far Podcast13:21 - The Journey of Creation: From Idea to Publication29:32 - The Intersection of Creativity and Technical Skill44:15 - The Power of Inspiration https://jezalborough.com/ https://jezalborough.com/numberwondersgame/ Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/ Find out more about their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape 🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire and get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources you can use to support learning https://www.educationonfire.com/ 🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunities educationonfire.com/support

    49 min

  7. 17/11/2025

    For Dyslexic Parents: A wordless picture book making StoryTime fun - Silent Snow

    Kirsty Heap is an executive coach, keynote speaker, and neurodiversity advocate who helps individuals and organisations create environments where people can truly thrive. Drawing on her lived experience of dyslexia, she empowers business owners and leaders to understand their strengths, build confidence, and grow sustainably. Kirsty is also the author of Silent Snow, a picture book without words, designed to help you create your own stories with your children. Each page is filled with beautiful illustrations to spark your imagination, making storytime fun and personal. Whether reading has always felt tricky, or you just want to try something different, Silent Snow gives you the freedom to tell stories your own way. The idea for Silent Snow came from Kirsty's own experiences as a dyslexic parent. She used to find reading to her children difficult, and when she stumbled over words, she felt like she was letting them down. But instead of giving up, she started making up her own stories based on their lives and the little adventures they had. Bedtime soon became one of their favourite times of the day. Takeaways: The podcast emphasizes the importance of recognizing and nurturing the strengths associated with dyslexia, rather than merely focusing on the challenges. Kirsty Heap shares her personal journey as a dyslexic parent, highlighting her creative storytelling as a means of connecting with her children. There is a significant need for educational systems to adapt and provide personalized learning experiences for neurodivergent students. The discussion reveals how the implementation of technology, such as dictation software, can greatly enhance learning outcomes for individuals with dyslexia. Kirsty reflects on the profound effect of positive reinforcement and constructive feedback in fostering self-esteem among students with learning differences. The episode advocates for greater transparency and openness among educators regarding their own neurodivergent experiences to better support their students. Chapters: 00:00 - Understanding the Weight of Expectations00:18 - Creating Stories from Imagination13:12 - Navigating Dyslexia: Challenges and Strategies in Education26:41 - The Importance of Personalized Learning39:55 - The Impact of Feedback in Coaching and Education https://kirstyheap.com/ https://kirstyheap.com/silentsnow/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstyheap/ https://www.instagram.com/kirstyheapcoaching/ Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/ Find out more about their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape 🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire and get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources you can use to support learning https://www.educationonfire.com/ 🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunities educationonfire.com/support

    46 min

  8. 10/11/2025

    Digital Seatbelts: Making Broadband Safer for Children with Network-Level Parental Controls

    Mashood Ahmad is the CEO and founder of Gigabit IQ, an award-winning UK broadband provider dedicated to delivering safer, smarter, and faster internet through fully managed Wi-Fi and industry-leading online safety tools. A recognised voice in digital inclusion and child online protection, Mashood is a Council Member at ISPA UK and a vocal advocate for stronger ISP accountability in protecting families online. Under Mashood’s leadership, Gigabit IQ has pioneered services like FamilyGuard+, a network-level parental control solution designed to meet the real-world needs of modern families. He has spearheaded initiatives supporting vulnerable communities, including children in care, refugees, and low-income households, through fair access broadband and safety education. Mashood is the author of the white paper “Beyond the Act: The Hidden Layer of Online Harm No One’s Regulating”, which challenges current UK online safety legislation and proposes a new national ISP Safety Rating System, akin to NCAP for cars or Ofsted for schools. A frequent speaker on digital safety, Mashood is leading an Online Safety & ISP Accountability session at the UK Internet Parliament Conference with ISPA, and continues to work with regulators, MPs, and safety groups to shape a safer digital future for all. Takeaways: The introduction of digital safety measures is akin to implementing seat belts in cars, enhancing Internet safety. Gigabit IQ aims to provide parental controls that ensure children access only age-appropriate online content. The company's initiative, Parent Line, offers parents guidance on navigating online safety and concerns. Faster Internet speeds necessitate enhanced safety protocols to protect children from harmful online content. Gigabit IQ advocates for industry-wide parental controls, empowering parents to safeguard their children online. Digital inclusion is essential; broadband should be accessible to all communities, regardless of their location. Chapters: 00:17 - Digital Safety in the Age of the Internet01:41 - The Launch of Parent Line13:47 - Advocating for Online Safety in Broadband Services21:12 - The Importance of Granular Parental Controls28:33 - Digital Inclusion and Accessibility39:24 - Empowering Parents for Online Safety https://www.gigabitiq.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mashood-ahmad-gigabitiq/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/gigabit-iq https://www.facebook.com/GigabitIQ https://www.instagram.com/gigabit_iq/ https://x.com/GigabitIQ https://www.tiktok.com/@gigabitiq https://www.youtube.com/@GigabitIQ https://bsky.app/profile/gigabitiq.bsky.social https://mastodon.social/@GigabitIQ https://www.parentline.uk Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://nape.org.uk/ Find out more about their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape 🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire and get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources you can use to support learning https://www.educationonfire.com/ 🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunities educationonfire.com/support

    45 min
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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.’

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