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

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

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

By: 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.’Copyright 2026 Mark Taylor Education
Episodes
  • GGGG Ep 10 - The Future of Higher Education

    GGGG Ep 10 - The Future of Higher Education
    Jun 1 2026

    In this final episode of the Ger Graus Gets Gritty series, Professor Dr Ger Graus OBE and I wrap up our 10-episode journey through education from early years to higher education and beyond. We explore the difference between schooling and education, the role of universities in an AI-driven world, and whether lifelong learning could — or should — move beyond traditional institutions.

    Learning doesn't stop at 18, 45, or even 99. The future of education isn't about replacing what we have, but expanding the menu — so that every curious learner, at every stage of life, can find their own path. And no matter how education evolves, the people around us remain at the very heart of it.

    'Everyone can only aspire to what they know exists'

    Takeaways:

    1. The importance of continuous education beyond traditional schooling cannot be overstated, as it is essential for personal development throughout one's life.
    2. Our discussions highlighted the critical distinction between education and schooling, emphasizing that true education can occur at any age and in various contexts.
    3. The relationship between higher education institutions and students must be fundamentally redefined to prioritize student needs and outcomes over financial motivations.
    4. Lifelong learning is not limited to formal education; it encompasses all forms of personal growth, driven by individual curiosity and life experiences.
    5. The necessity for a nuanced understanding of educational pathways is paramount, as different individuals require different approaches to learning and development.
    6. In our exploration of higher education, we must recognize the evolving needs of society and the role of institutions in adapting to these changes.

    Chapters:

    1. 00:04 - Introduction to Episode 10
    2. 02:15 - Overview of Further Education and Lifelong Learning
    3. 24:02 - The Complexity of Accountability in Education
    4. 36:18 - The Role of Degrees in Professional Success
    5. 39:37 - The Importance of Lifelong Learning

    https://www.gergraus.com

    Get the book – Through a Different Lens: Lessons from a Life in Education

    🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire, get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources and be part of our season finale with Ger.

    https://www.educationonfire.com

    🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunities

    https://www.educationonfire.com/support

    #EducationOnFire


    Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)

    Their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape
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    51 mins
  • GGGG Ep 9 - The Future of Schooling: Rethinking What, How, and Why We Teach

    GGGG Ep 9 - The Future of Schooling: Rethinking What, How, and Why We Teach
    May 25 2026

    Joining Mark Taylor as part of this series with Prof Dr Ger Graus OBE is Rebecca Durose-Croft a Managing Director with over 20 years’ experience in educational publishing and the evolving world of edtech.

    Rebecca has built a reputation for bringing together editorial expertise, strategic thinking and a deep understanding of how learners engage with content - leading teams to create high-quality publications and programmes that truly make a difference.

    With a strong commitment to inclusion and accessibility, and a track record of working closely with educators, policymakers and partners across the sector, Rebecca is a thoughtful and influential voice in how education continues to adapt and innovate.

    Takeaways:

    1. We discusses the evolving nature of educational content and its impact on schooling.
    2. Rebecca Durose-Croft emphasizes the importance of tailoring educational material to individual learners' needs.
    3. National curriculum reforms prompt a reevaluation of educational practices and content delivery methods.
    4. The conversation highlights the necessity of incorporating real-world applications into learning experiences.
    5. Technology plays a crucial role in modern education, but it must be integrated thoughtfully to enhance learning.
    6. Collaboration between educators and content creators is essential for producing effective educational resources.

    Chapters:

    1. 00:15 - Introducing Rebecca Durose-Croft
    2. 01:58 - Exploring New Educational Curriculums
    3. 16:16 - The Importance of Context in Language Learning
    4. 23:27 - The Role of Technology in Modern Education
    5. 31:20 - The Evolution of Educational Technology
    6. 45:06 - The Role of Educators in Curriculum Development
    7. 51:49 - The Importance of Trusting Teachers in Education

    https://www.besa.org.uk/

    https://www.gergraus.com

    Get the book – Through a Different Lens: Lessons from a Life in Education


    🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire, get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources and be part of our season finale with Ger.

    https://www.educationonfire.com

    🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunities

    https://www.educationonfire.com/support

    #EducationOnFire


    Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)

    Their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 2 mins
  • GGGG Ep 8 - The Reggio Emilia Approach with Cristian Fabbi

    GGGG Ep 8 - The Reggio Emilia Approach with Cristian Fabbi
    May 18 2026
    Today we bring together Prof Dr Ger Graus OBE and Cristian Fabbi, Director of the Fondazione Reggio Children, for a deeply human and intellectually rich conversation about the future of early years education.Ger and Cristian share personal stories and the work of their friend and colleague Carla Rinaldi — one of the world's most influential educational thinkers. They explore what it truly means to place children at the heart of learning. From the rubble of post-war Italy to classrooms in Soweto, Nairobi, and Napoli, the Reggio Emilia approach has quietly transformed how educators around the world understand childhood, creativity, community, and the very purpose of school.This is a conversation full of warmth, courage, and genuine hope — a reminder that when we believe in children's potential, extraordinary things happen.Key Takeaways1. Start at the very beginning — literallyThe Reggio Emilia approach insists that quality education must begin from birth, not age 3, 5, or 7. Neuroscience has since confirmed what Carla Rinaldi and Loris Malaguzzi argued decades ago: the 0–3 years are the most critical window for brain development and should be treated as education, not just childcare.2. Children have 100 languages Every child is born with the capacity to express themselves through music, movement, clay, drawing, storytelling, and more. The role of early education is to keep all of these "languages" alive, rather than narrowing children down to reading, writing, and arithmetic alone.3. The environment is the third teacherAlongside the child and the educator, the physical environment plays a crucial pedagogical role. Spaces should be intentionally designed to provoke curiosity, creativity, and collaboration — a principle as relevant to theme parks and museums as it is to nurseries.4. Document processes, not just productsOne of Reggio Emilia's most powerful innovations is pedagogical documentation — capturing the how of children's learning through observation, photographs, and reflection. This shifts the focus from testing what children remember to understanding how they think, discover, and grow.5. Children are citizens from birthCarla Rinaldi's conviction was clear: children are not future citizens — they are citizens now, with rights and responsibilities from the moment they are born.6. Quality education is an antidote to social harmThe Fondazione Reggio Children works in communities facing criminality, poverty, and conflict — from Naples to Palermo to Soweto.7. We must shift from "I" to "We"A powerful reflection from Cristian: modern education has rightly championed individual development, but we've lost something vital at the community level. The next step is helping children develop their life projects together with others — rebuilding the communal bonds that hold society together.8. Invest in foundations, not just outcomesGer offers a striking metaphor: we build houses by investing heavily in their foundations. Yet in education, the earliest years — the true foundation — receive the least funding and attention.9. Research should be participatory and generousThe Fondazione's PhD programme is deliberately multidisciplinary — bringing together architects, biologists, poets, and musicians — with the goal of generating processes other educators can actually use, not just papers that gather dust on library shelves.10. The Reggio Emilia approach is a philosophy, not a formulaIt cannot simply be copied. A school inspired by Reggio Emilia in Indonesia will look entirely different from one in Nairobi — and that's by design. The approach adapts to local context, culture, and community, making it genuinely universal without being prescriptive.Chapters:00:06 - Exploring New Themes in Education01:09 - Introduction to the Reggio Emilia Approach16:18 - The Legacy of Carla: A Reflection on Education and Humanity19:02 - Introduction to the Reggio Emilia Approach30:03 - The Importance of Community in Education34:58 - The Importance of Documentation in Education44:17 - Exploring the Role of Play in Education55:28 - Investing in Quality Education57:41 - Community Perspectives on Education and Citizenshiphttps://www.frchildren.org/enhttps://www.reggiochildren.it/reggio-emilia-approach/https://www.gergraus.comGet the book – Through a Different Lens: Lessons from a Life in Education🔥 Discover more about Education on Fire, get a FREE pdf of 10 guest resources and be part of our season finale with Ger.https://www.educationonfire.com🔥 Support the show – Buy me a coffee, Merch and Sponsorship Opportunitieshttps://www.educationonfire.com/support#EducationOnFireShow Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)Their Primary First Journal: https://www.educationonfire.com/nape
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    1 hr and 2 mins
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