Independent schools, AI, and the human core of education
How can schools use AI to enhance – rather than replace – the human relationships that make great teaching possible? Vice Principal of Westbourne International, Ed Swanwick, examines how the sector’s independence can enable innovation. Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant concept; it’s a present reality reshaping industries at extraordinary speed. In the workplace, AI is automating everything from data entry to complex analytical tasks…
AI bias: notice, mitigate, and educate
School leaders are increasingly called upon to navigate the opportunities and risks of generative AI (GenAI) in schools. One of the most pressing – and often overlooked – challenges is bias: the ways in which GenAI can reinforce stereotypes and even exclude certain individuals and communities. But what can schools do to address it? Director of Innovation at Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools (Habs)…
Independent schools: a resource for social mobility, not a problem to be taxed away
With recent headlines suggesting that “across a range of sectors, the UK’s most powerful and influential people are still 5 times more likely to have attended private schools than the general population1,” Principal of Stephen Perse Foundation, Cambridgeshire, Richard Girvan, argues that instead of independent schools being seen as obstacles to social mobility…
Building a world class curriculum for all: reflections on the Curriculum and Assessment Review
The Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR) is well named as a review but let us be clear what it isn’t. It isn’t “building a world class curriculum for all.” From the outset, Professor Francis said the review would offer evolution, not revolution. The muted reception of CAR’s interim report was an early indicator that the work was on track for this outcome…
Are women still anonymous in our history classrooms?
Following recent research from End Sexism in Schools which found that women are still consistently under-represented in school history lessons at KS3, GDST Consultant Teacher for Humanities and Head of History at Sutton High School, Surrey, Jake Unwin, discusses the importance of including more women in the history curriculum, and ways to go about it…
The digital dilemma
How can concerns around the amount of screen time for children be heeded while also fulfilling the need to support young people in inhabiting a digital present and prepare them for a digital future? Deputy Head (Safeguarding, Mental Health and Wellbeing) & DSL at King’s College School, Wimbledon, Richard Amlot, puts forward five suggestions….
Mission impossible: four habits for a healthier work-life balance
With increased pressures facing the independent sector in turn placing more demands on teachers, Acting Head and Deputy Head (Academic) at Wrekin College, Shropshire, Ben Smith, puts forward some strategies to aid managing workloads that can help create a better work-life balance…
Independent schools – leading the way in the rugby concussion debate
With concern around concussion and player welfare in rugby continuing to pose serious challenges to participation at grassroots level, former Mail on Sunday rugby correspondent and author of ‘Concussed’, Sam Peters, highlights what is being done by leading independent schools…
How AI is transforming independent school admissions
Parents are increasingly using AI as part of the school search process. But how should admissions and marketing teams…
Kind, Aware, Ready Leadership: a framework for challenging conversations
As a leader, handling difficult conversations is a fact of life, but how best to approach them?…