The Edword: Autumn term 2025

Welcome to the latest edition of The Edword, where we explore the future of education through a lens of optimism, possibility and purpose. Too often, discussions about education focus on what’s broken. In this edition, we’ve chosen to spotlight what’s working, what is being done and what could be.

Sarah Monk opens the edition with her views on the future of education, while Baroness Mary Bousted offers an honest but hopeful look at the future of teaching. Lord Jim Knight explores how we can actively shape the future, not just wait for it to unfold, while Dr Carl Ward sets out how the FED National Education Assembly is creating space for educators to lead the conversation on reform. Iona Jackson reminds us of the power of leadership that listens, and how that approach can create cultures of trust and innovation. Neil Blundell shares two powerful hopes for the future, grounded in both pragmatism and belief, and Stephen Morales explains how ISBL’s new OpEx framework builds operational excellence in education.

The future of education won’t just be built in policy papers or one-off announcements. It will be built by people, in schools, colleges, universities, training providers and communities, who believe in what’s possible. We hope this edition leaves you feeling energised, inspired and ready to be part of what’s next.