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.’

  1. 5d ago

    Rob Heller: Teaching Teens Life Skills, Social Skills and Resilience in a Phone-Based World

    Rob Heller is a successful entrepreneur, youth development innovator, and founder of the Boost Program, a comprehensive personal development curriculum designed to equip teens and young adults with the essential life, social, and mental health skills that traditional education overlooks. After selling his insurance firm for eight figures to a publicly held company, Rob witnessed firsthand the critical skill gaps plaguing today's youth in the corporate workplace. This observation, combined with his desire to give his own children the tools they needed to thrive, inspired him to create a solution that didn't exist. Drawing from a century of personal development wisdom—distilling the teachings of Dale Carnegie, Napoleon Hill, and other thought leaders into accessible, actionable lessons—Rob developed Boost as the "missing course" for today's youth. Takeaways: The BOOST program to teach life skills that traditional schools often ignore.We deliver the curriculum in groups so students practice conversations, role play, and real interactions.Phone use has damaged most social and character skills and reduces face to face time.We teach resilience, mindset, and practical habits so young people learn to handle failure and grow.High engagement when lessons were made relevant to students and connected to their daily lives.We created the Boost Soft Skills Alliance to help educators share methods and scale the program globally.Simple steps like reducing phone time, videotaping practice, and creating schedules for focused social skill practice. Chapters: 00:04 - Introducing Rob Heller — Founder of the BOOST Program02:04 - From Concerned Father to Founder — How BOOST Began12:28 - Launching the Boost Soft Skills Alliance23:10 - Implementing the Program in Schools30:45 - FIRE: Feedback, Inspiration, Resilience and Empowerment https://boostprogram.com/ https://www.skool.com/boostsoftskillalliance 🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire, get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources. https://www.educationonfire.com 🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunities https://www.educationonfire.com/support #EducationOnFire Show Sponsors – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) Their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape English Program for Kids – Night Zookeeper FUN: There are thousands of engaging language arts activities for Grades 1 to 6 that your child can play independently. COMPREHENSIVE: The program covers a full language arts curriculum of reading, writing, spelling, grammar & punctuation, that rewards children as they progress. TRACKABLE: A parent dashboard helps you track your child's progress and enables you to set your own assignments. PERSONALIZED: Children get written feedback from our team of tutors on their pieces of writing- so you don't need to be the bad guy! TRUSTED: An award winning program, used by thousands of homeschool families. Rated 4.7 on Trustpilot. http://educationonfire.com/nightzookeeper

  2. Oct 12

    How Filmmaking Builds Confidence and Resilience in Young People with James Walker (Young Film Academy)

    James Walker is the co-founder of Young Film Academy (YFA), one of the UK's leading filmmaking organisations for young people. For over 20 years, James and the YFA team have helped thousands of teenagers develop storytelling, communication, leadership, teamwork, creative confidence and practical filmmaking experience through hands-on outreach projects, workshops and their flagship residential summer programme. YFA's philosophy is simple: the best way to learn is by making films. James has a wealth of knowledge and passion to share about helping young people discover their creative potential, pathways into the creative industries and how filmmaking can build the most essential skills for the modern world. Key takeaways Storytelling is the way in. Film is just another medium for telling stories, and that skill matters in every career.Passion starts early. We expect athletes and musicians to start young, so take young people’s creative interests just as seriously.Ownership beats instruction. No student is handed a script. They write their own and care far more about the result.Real humans, real spaces. Doing a hard creative task in person builds the “four Cs and an R”: confidence, communication, collaboration, creativity and resilience.Learn from the edit. Students cut their own films, so they see their own mistakes and learn from them.Resilience isn’t a poster word. Every film goes through excitement, a dark patch, then “we actually did it”. Getting through it is what resilience means. Chapters: 00:25 - Learning by Making: The Young Film Academy's Philosophy01:26 - Origins of the Young Film Academy10:54 - How to Get Involved with Young Film Academy18:37 - Summer School: Structure, Roles, and Hands-On Learning25:35 - A Student's Journey: From Ballet to Film (Project Paradiso)27:30 - The Young Film Academy Podcast — Opening Eyes to Film Careers34:21 - FIRE — Feedback, Inspiration, Resilience & Empowerment40:45 - Conclusion — Impact, Learning, and How to Find Young Film Academy https://www.youngfilmacademy.co.uk/ https://www.youngfilmacademy.co.uk/podcast/ @youngfilmacademy 🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire, get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources. https://www.educationonfire.com 🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunities https://www.educationonfire.com/support #EducationOnFire Show Sponsors – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) Their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape English Program for Kids – Night Zookeeper Award-winning reading & writing program for ages 6-12Improves vocabulary, spelling, grammar & morePersonalised feedback on your child’s work http://educationonfire.com/nightzookeeper

  3. Oct 5

    Teaching Kids About Money: Real-Life Lessons from a Real Estate Investor | Jonathan Greene

    Real estate investor Jonathan Greene grew up learning about money not through lectures, but through exposure — walking rental properties with his dad, watching cash change hands, and having open conversations about deals from the age of 10. In this episode, Jonathan and Mark explore why today's frictionless, cashless world makes financial understanding harder for kids, and share practical ways parents can bring money into everyday conversation — from allowances and borrowing to the empowering value of letting kids make (and learn from) their own financial mistakes. Jonathan is the founder of Streamline and host of the Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing podcast, he challenges hype-driven strategies in favour of discipline, integrity, and long-term thinking. Key TakeawaysExposure beats lectures. Jonathan learned about money by tagging along with his real-estate-investor father — collecting rent, seeing cash change hands — rather than through formal money talks.Make money tangible again. Digital payments have made spending "frictionless" for kids; cash, bank books, or visible transactions help them grasp value and consequence.Allowance can teach real financial concepts. Splitting weekly allowance into spend/save/invest portions introduces investing and compound growth early — and fronting money with a bit of "interest" teaches how borrowing really works.Mistakes are part of financial education. Letting kids make (and lose money on) small purchasing decisions builds resilience, judgement, and — crucially — empowerment.Everyday moments are teaching moments. Car repairs, laundry costs, grocery runs, even real estate spotted on a drive — ordinary life is full of low-stakes chances to talk about money. Chapters: 00:02 - Interview with Jonathan Green: Start Money Conversations Early — A Different Approach00:52 - Welcome to Education on Fire16:05 - Real Estate as a Vehicle for Teaching Kids About Money23:22 - Everyday Money Lessons: Laundry, University and Car Costs28:49 - Valuing Time: A Laundry Lesson35:02 - Raising Financially Empowered Children https://www.trustgreene.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-greene-re/ 🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire, get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources. https://www.educationonfire.com 🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunities https://www.educationonfire.com/support #EducationOnFire Show Sponsors – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) Their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape English Program for Kids - Night Zookeeper Award-winning reading & writing program for ages 6-12Improves vocabulary, spelling, grammar & morePersonalised feedback on your child's work http://educationonfire.com/nightzookeeper

  4. Sep 28

    Pupil Voice Surveys That Actually Change a School — Jamie Moseley-Sarsfield, Fairfield Prep

    Jamie Moseley-Sarsfield is the Deputy Head Academic at Fairfield Prep School, part of the Loughborough Schools Foundation. He focuses on enhancing pupil experience and academic engagement, recently leading initiatives such as adapting IAPS pupil voice surveys for younger years and implementing STEAM-based enterprise education. Key TakeawaysHigh engagement changes what a survey means — a 90%+ response rate across 31 schools and 4,500+ children gave Fairfield genuine confidence in the results, not just a token gesture.Reading came out lower than expected nationally — prompting Fairfield to design their own follow-up survey, tailored by age, to understand why.Children who saw fewer adults reading at home still valued and enjoyed reading just as much, challenging an assumption the school expected to confirm.AI and screen-time debate is polarising schools — Fairfield's approach is deliberately cautious: gather evidence, avoid rash decisions, keep tradition and innovation both on the table.STEAM grew from a single enrichment week into a whole-school strategy — including a standalone DTE (Design, Technology & Engineering) subject and a staff-led STEAM committee.Parent-led Engineering Days work because they're personal, not prescriptive — asking parents "how did your passion begin?" builds far deeper buy-in than a generic "come and help" request.Careers work shifted from academic to practical — pupil feedback drove a redesigned careers fair connecting children with real workplace journeys, not just university pathways. Chapters: 00:02 - Interview: Jamie Mosley Sarsfield — Deputy Head Academic, Fairfield Prep00:35 - Podcast Welcome & Show Overview07:09 - Unexpectedly Low Reading Scores in the Survey13:25 - Building a Reading Culture: Library, Librarian and Survey-led Initiatives23:50 - Broadening the Curriculum: Integrating STEAM and the Arts30:39 - Engaging Parents and Community in STEAM and Careers37:12 - Introducing FIRE: Feedback, Inspiration, Resilience & Empowerment42:27 - Getting Involved: How to Find Out More About Fairfield Prep https://lborofairfield.org 🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire, get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources. https://www.educationonfire.com 🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunities https://www.educationonfire.com/support #EducationOnFire Show Sponsors – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) Their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape English Program for Kids - Night Zookeeper Award-winning reading & writing program for ages 6-12Improves vocabulary, spelling, grammar & morePersonalised feedback on your child's work http://educationonfire.com/nightzookeeper

  5. Sep 21

    The 5 "Kevlar Threads" That Make Learning Stick — Dr. Annalies Corbin (PAST Foundation)

    Dr. Annalies Corbin is the Founder and CEO of the PAST Foundation, an organization dedicated to connecting scientific research with education. Over the past 25 years, she has grown PAST into a nationally recognized leader in transforming teaching and learning, impacting millions of students and thousands of educators across the U.S. She also launched the Learning Unboxed podcast to explore innovative approaches to education and the future of workforce development. Key Takeaways The 5 Kevlar Threads: student agency, cultural relevancy, mastery, transdisciplinary learning, and problem-based learning STEM "affinity" research: kids light up around math and science when learning feels tangible — mastery-based learning, real problem-solving, and social-emotional connection are the three levers that spark that engagement.Silos have their place — a focused mini-lesson works beautifully when it's triggered by an immediate, meaningful need within a bigger project, giving students exactly what they need, right when they need it.Graduation is just the beginning — the real opportunity is helping students discover who they're becoming, not just getting them across the finish line.Relationships are what last — ask any adult about a profound learning moment and they'll light up describing a person who believed in them, not a lesson plan. That's the impact educators get to have every day."It takes a village" is coming back into focus — as more people recognize how much parents, grandparents, mentors and coaches contribute to a child's growth, there's real momentum to give that learning the credit it deserves. Chapters: 00:02 - Introducing Dr. Annalies Corbin — Founder & CEO of the PAST Foundation01:53 - About the Foundation: Origins & Mission19:13 - Translating Research into Support: In‑Person, Online and Mobile Lab Services27:04 - Rethinking Schooling: From Buildings to Community Learning36:30 - Memorable Learning: People and Experiences Over Curriculum https://www.pastfoundation.org https://www.facebook.com/annalies.corbin/ https://www.instagram.com/annaliescorbin/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/annalies-corbin-4016121 🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire, get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources. https://www.educationonfire.com 🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunities https://www.educationonfire.com/support #EducationOnFire Show Sponsors – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) Their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape From idea to live show – hands-on sessions to help you launch, grow, and streamline your brand. https://creativeamplifiers.live/ https://creativeamplifiers.substack.com/

  6. Sep 14

    Tony Gustin: From Live Bugs to Virtual Reality — Building Creepy Crawly Zoo 2.0

    Tony Gustin is the founder of The Gateway Science Project, Inc. and the educator behind Tony’s Creepy Crawly Zoo, also known by the trade name The Bug Whisperer. Since 1995, he has used insects, spiders, and other invertebrates to spark curiosity in students and show that science begins with observation, questioning, and wonder. His live programs reached more than 1.5 million students and introduced children to entomology as a gateway into broader scientific thinking. Tony also created the award-winning video Who Wants to be an Entomologist? and wrote My Science Diary, a student activity book focused on observation and critical thinking. After the pandemic ended live programming, Tony developed a specialized 8K macro 360-degree camera system to bring students inside real habitats through virtual reality. That work became Tony’s Creepy Crawly Zoo 2.0, an immersive VR science experience that continues his mission to Excite! Educate! Inspire! and turn curiosity into scientific literacy. Takeaways: Tony Gustin has utilized insects and invertebrates to ignite curiosity in students since 1995.His live programs have introduced over 1.5 million students to entomology and scientific inquiry.The pandemic catalyzed the development of an innovative virtual reality experience for educational purposes.Tony's Creepy Crawly Zoo 2.0 offers immersive experiences that aim to foster scientific literacy.He emphasizes that scientific curiosity can lead children down diverse educational paths beyond entomology.The transition from live shows to virtual reality exemplifies adaptability in education amidst unforeseen challenges. Chapters: 00:03 - Introduction to Tony Gustin and His Work01:43 - The Evolution of Tony's Creepy Crawly Zoo15:12 - The Birth of an Idea: Inspiring Future Entomologists28:52 - The Journey of Discovery: Overcoming Challenges in Pursuit of Passion35:11 - Inspiration and Empowerment in Virtual Reality https://creepycrawlyzoo.com/ https://www.meta.com/experiences/tonys-creepy-crawly-zoo-20/26476390235366322/ https://www.facebook.com/creepycrawlyzoo https://www.tiktok.com/@thebugwhisperer https://www.instagram.com/creepycrawlyzoo20 🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire, get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources. https://www.educationonfire.com 🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunities https://www.educationonfire.com/support #EducationOnFire Show Sponsors – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) Their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape From idea to live show – hands-on sessions to help you launch, grow, and streamline your brand. https://creativeamplifiers.live/ https://creativeamplifiers.substack.com/

  7. Sep 7

    Night Zookeeper: Turning Reluctant Writers into Confident Storytellers | Joshua Davidson

    Joshua Davidson is the creator and co‑founder of Night Zookeeper, an award-winning online learning program that helps children aged 6–12 fall in love with reading, writing, and creativity through games and storytelling. He’s also the author of the Night Zookeeper Adventure book series, which follows Night Zookeeper Will into the magical Night Zoo filled with fantastical creatures dreamed up by children. Josh is passionate about giving kids the confidence to see themselves as writers and creators, and he speaks regularly about the power of play, stories, and co‑created worlds in education. Takeaways: The Night Zookeeper program fosters creativity in children through engaging storytelling and character creation, allowing them to express their imagination freely.Joshua Davidson emphasizes the importance of play in education, arguing that children should be empowered to see themselves as creators rather than mere consumers.The integration of technology in the Night Zookeeper platform enhances learning experiences by making writing and creativity enjoyable and interactive for children.Through collaboration and feedback, the Night Zookeeper community facilitates a supportive environment where children can share their ideas and learn from one another.The approach of using project-based learning in the Night Zookeeper curriculum allows children to connect their creativity with educational outcomes, enhancing their overall engagement.By providing a platform where children's ideas shape the content, Night Zookeeper instills a sense of ownership and pride in their work, ultimately fostering a lifelong love of learning. Chapters: 00:02 - Introducing Night Zookeeper and Its Impact on Children's Creativity05:44 - The Journey of Night Zookeeper: From Concept to Reality11:52 - The Importance of Engagement in Learning19:40 - The Importance of Creativity in Education24:15 - The Impact of Arts Education on Learning34:10 - Transitioning to Language Arts Curriculum37:37 - The Importance of Community in Education Get a 7 day FREE trial and 50% of a subscription with my affiliate code: http://educationonfire.com/nightzookeeper https://www.instagram.com/nightzookeeper/ https://www.facebook.com/NightZookeeper https://www.tiktok.com/@nightzookeeperofficial https://uk.pinterest.com/nightzookeeper/ 🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire, get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources. https://www.educationonfire.com 🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunities https://www.educationonfire.com/support #EducationOnFire Show Sponsors – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) Their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape From idea to live show – hands-on sessions to help you launch, grow, and streamline your brand. https://creativeamplifiers.live/ https://creativeamplifiers.substack.com/

  8. Aug 31

    Why Outdoor Education Beats Nature Deficit Disorder | Nick Hands, Boundless Outdoors

    Boundless Outdoors is a Worcestershire-based outdoor learning provider with centres in Malvern and Bell Heath, supporting schools, groups and young people through residentials, activity days, DofE, STEM programmes and tailored outdoor learning experiences. A key part of Boundless Outdoors' work is helping schools create inclusive, confidence-building experiences for all pupils, including those with SEND or additional needs. The team works closely with each school to understand its pupils, adapt activities as needed, and shape packages around the group's needs, abilities, and learning outcomes. With woodland settings, accessible facilities, experienced staff and a nurturing approach, Boundless Outdoors helps pupils build confidence, teamwork, communication, resilience and self-esteem in a safe, supportive environment. Safety is always a first priority, with an AALS licence and quality marks including Adventuremark, LOtC and AHOEC Gold. Takeaways: Outdoor education promotes essential life skills such as teamwork, communication, and resilience.Boundless Outdoors customizes educational experiences to meet the specific needs and abilities of students.The importance of allowing children to engage in risk assessment through outdoor activities cannot be overstated.Children today often lack the freedom to explore and engage with nature, resulting in a need for structured outdoor education.The concept of 'challenge by choice' empowers children to set their own personal success markers in outdoor activities.COVID-19 has highlighted the necessity of outdoor education as children become increasingly disconnected from nature. Chapters: 00:19 - Creating Inclusive Outdoor Learning Experiences00:36 - The Importance of Outdoor Education13:11 - The Importance of Individual Achievement in Outdoor Education20:42 - The Importance of Outdoor Education Funding23:24 - Understanding the Importance of Outdoor Trips in Education33:27 - Understanding the Nature Deficit Disorder37:53 - Empowerment Through Outdoor Education https://boundlessoutdoors.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/boundless-outdoors-malvern-bell-heath/ https://www.instagram.com/boundlessoutdoorsuk/ https://www.tiktok.com/@boundlessoutdoorsuk 🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire, get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources. https://www.educationonfire.com 🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunities https://www.educationonfire.com/support #EducationOnFire Show Sponsors – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) Their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape From idea to live show – hands-on sessions to help you launch, grow, and streamline your brand. https://creativeamplifiers.live/ https://creativeamplifiers.substack.com/

4.8
out of 5
60 Ratings

About

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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